JP2001148121A - Method and device for machining magnetic tape - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and a device for machining a magnetic tape, where laser beam or the like is made incident on the back layer of the magnetic tape, powder dust generated during the formation of a recess in the back layer of this tape are collected, and the powder dust are prevented from being carried over to a next step and subsequent steps. SOLUTION: At least one of laser beams of the visible region and the ultraviolet region is made incident on the back layer of a magnetic tape, while the magnetic tape is carried in a longitudinal direction, and when the back layer is machined to form a recess therein, a part near the machined part is enclosed, and powder dust generated during the machining is removed by exhausting the enclosed part.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention belongs to the technical field of magnetic tapes used for recording / reproducing information, and more specifically, slips are generated even when a magnetic tape is transported at a high speed in a magnetic tape manufacturing process. In addition, the present invention relates to a magnetic tape processing method and a magnetic tape processing method capable of efficiently manufacturing a magnetic tape with reduced cupping, which can prevent damage to the magnetic tape and disorder of the winding shape due to this.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Magnetic tapes used for recording / reproducing information are:
Basically, a base made of a film such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate), a magnetic layer formed on one surface of the base, and a magnetic layer formed on the base for the purpose of improving transport stability and strength. And a back layer formed on the opposite surface.

In the manufacturing process of such a magnetic tape, the magnetic tape (hereinafter, also simply referred to as a tape) is subjected to various processes such as cutting by a slitter and cleaning of a surface by a blade while being conveyed in a longitudinal direction. Then, it is wound up by a hub or the like to be a pancake or a cassette, and sent to the next process or a delivery destination. In recent years, in order to improve productivity, a tape transport speed in various processes (a manufacturing device such as a blade machine or a winder) tends to increase.

[0004] In general, the tape is conveyed by winding the tape around a capstan roller and rotating the capstan roller. However, when the transport speed of the tape is increased, in a manufacturing device such as a blade machine, the tape entrains air, and the tape floats with a capstan roller or the like, which causes the tape to slip, thereby preventing normal transport. In some cases.

As a result, the tape becomes a capstan roller,
The tape collides with or improperly contacts the guide rollers, blade blades, etc., causing tape damage such as breakage of the tape or tape edge, abrasion or peeling of the magnetic layer, etc.
It will be inappropriate as a product. A roller for measuring the length of the tape (measurement roller) is attached to the tape manufacturing device as needed. If the tape slips with this measurement roller, an error occurs in the tape length measurement. This causes a problem that production control cannot be performed properly. For this reason, it has been difficult to increase the tape transport speed in tape manufacturing so as to favorably meet the required production efficiency.

As another problem of the magnetic tape, the above-mentioned cupping is known. Cupping is a curl (curvature) in the width direction of a magnetic tape, which is mainly caused by a difference in shrinkage of a binder used between a magnetic layer and a back layer. When cupping occurs, the appearance of the magnetic tape as a product is deteriorated; the contact of the magnetic tape with the recording head and the reading head is deteriorated, which may cause a recording error or a reading error; and the edge of the magnetic tape is easily damaged. Various problems occur such as a decrease in durability.

[0007]

Such cupping can be improved by a method such as increasing the thickness of the magnetic layer, reducing the thickness of the back layer, or adjusting the formulation of the magnetic layer or the back layer. There is a limit to improvement due to various problems such as process, formulation, and performance. Specifically, in recent years, the recording density of magnetic tapes has been improving, and in order to achieve this, the thickness of the magnetic layer has been decreasing and the thickness of the backing layer has been reduced. And the problem arises in practical durability. Further, if the prescription of the magnetic layer or the back layer is changed, the characteristics as a magnetic tape fluctuate, and the desired performance may not be obtained. In other words, to reduce the cupping by adjusting the prescription of the magnetic layer and the back layer while preventing the performance from deteriorating is a very time-consuming operation, and it is necessary to reduce the development efficiency and the cost of the magnetic tape. Is disadvantageous.

As another method, it is conceivable to provide a concave portion in the back layer of the magnetic tape. However, when this method is adopted, a laser beam or the like is applied to the back layer of the magnetic tape in an actual manufacturing process. When entering, when performing the processing to form the concave portion, the material removed from the back layer is scattered as dust, and this dust adheres to the magnetic tape,
There is a problem that the tape may be contaminated. Such dust contaminates the magnetic tape and becomes a serious defect in its quality, and it is absolutely necessary to prevent it.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to process a laser beam or the like incident on the back layer of the magnetic tape to form a recess in the back layer of the tape. It is an object of the present invention to provide a countermeasure against dust that is effective for collecting substances removed from the back layer, which are scattered as dust when applying.

More specifically, an object of the present invention is to generate a concave portion in a back layer of a magnetic tape by applying a laser beam or the like to the back layer of the magnetic tape as described above. A magnetic tape processing method that collects dust that is generated and prevents the dust from being carried into the next process and thereafter.
An object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic tape processing apparatus that embodies this method.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a method of processing a magnetic tape according to the present invention comprises the steps of: feeding a magnetic tape in a longitudinal direction and applying at least one of a visible region or an ultraviolet region laser beam; When entering the back layer of the magnetic tape and processing the back layer to form a concave portion, enclose the vicinity of the processed portion, and remove dust generated by processing by exhausting the enclosed portion. It is characterized by the following.

That is, in the magnetic tape processing method according to the present invention, when forming the concave portion by processing the back layer, the vicinity of the processed portion is sealed and the area is evacuated to thereby generate the magnetic tape. It removes dust that is generated.

The magnetic tape processing apparatus according to the present invention further comprises a light source that emits at least one of a visible laser beam and an ultraviolet laser beam, and a laser beam emitted from the light source at a predetermined processing position. An incident optical system, transport means for transporting the magnetic tape in the longitudinal direction with the back layer facing the upstream side of the laser beam optical path at the processing position, and transport by the transport means at the processing position It is characterized by comprising means for securing the flatness of the magnetic tape, shielding means for surrounding the vicinity of the processing position, and exhaust means for exhausting the inside of the shielding means.

In the magnetic tape processing apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to the above means, at least a magnetic tape conveying means of an airtight type and a gas flow such as an air curtain are provided at the magnetic tape outlet side of the shielding means. Shielding means using
It is preferable to provide a sliding member which is in sliding contact with the narrow magnetic tape passage or the processing surface of the magnetic tape.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a method and apparatus for processing a magnetic tape according to the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

First, a magnetic tape to which the processing method according to the present invention can be applied has a magnetic layer on one surface of a base made of PET or aramid resin, and a back layer on the other surface.
Alternatively, a magnetic tape having a normal layer configuration, which further has an overcoat layer (protective layer) and an undercoat layer, may be used. According to the processing method of the present invention, a concave portion is formed in the back layer, preferably a magnetic tape. Linear or corrugated grooves (including processing lines, processing line segments, etc.) extending in the longitudinal direction.

FIG. 1 conceptually shows an example of a back layer of a magnetic tape processed by a processing method (processing apparatus) according to the present invention. In the example shown in FIG. 1A, a plurality of processing lines a extending in the longitudinal direction of the tape are formed on the back layer of the tape. The example shown in FIG. 1B is different from the example shown in FIG. 1A in that the processing of the back layer is intermittent and the processing line is differentiated (indicated by b).
This is an example. Here, the length of the processing line segment b is not particularly limited. The lengths of the processing line segments b may all be the same, but line segments having different lengths may be mixed.

A tape having a concave portion (processed line, processed line segment) in the back layer as shown in FIG. 1 has less cupping, which is curl in the width direction of the tape, than the conventional tape. As a result, deterioration in appearance, deterioration of head contact, damage to the tape edge, and the like due to the above-mentioned problems are greatly reduced as compared with the conventional tape. Furthermore, even when the tape is conveyed at a high speed in a tape manufacturing apparatus such as a blade machine or a winder, the entrainment of air by the tape is reduced, and even when air is entrained, the air is suitably removed from the processing line. be able to.

Further, even when the tape is transported at high speed, the tape does not rise due to the capstan roller or the like of the manufacturing apparatus and does not slip, and there is no damage to the tape or an error in the transport length. By performing appropriate tape conveyance, magnetic tapes of appropriate quality can be stably and efficiently manufactured under appropriate production management. Also, when rewinding,
Since the air between the tapes can be suitably removed, the appearance of the roll when wound on a cartridge or pancake is also beautiful.

There is no particular limitation on the shape (cross-sectional shape) of the above-mentioned concave portion. For example, a rectangular shape as shown in FIG. 2A, a triangular shape as shown in FIG. C)
And a semicircle (bow) as shown in FIG. These shapes can be realized by adjusting the intensity distribution (profile) of the beam spot of the laser beam used when processing the back layer.

There is also no particular limitation on the depth of the concave portion. In general, the width of the tape, the material and thickness of the back layer, the material and thickness of the base, the steps after the concave portion formation and the user's point of view. In consideration of the load (transport speed, tension, etc.) on the tape such as the processing of
It may be determined appropriately. As an example, the depth of the recess is
0.1 μm or more, particularly preferably 0.2 μm
It is more preferable to make the above.

Further, the size (line width) and formation density of the concave portion are not particularly limited, and may be appropriately determined according to the strength and width (size) of the tape. When forming a processing line or the like extending in the longitudinal direction as shown in FIGS.
It is preferable to form several to about 100 processing lines in the width direction with a width of about 3 μm to 10 μm.

FIG. 3 shows a conceptual diagram of an example of a processing apparatus according to the present invention, which is used for manufacturing such a magnetic tape by utilizing the processing method according to the present invention. The illustrated processing apparatus 10 forms a processing line extending in the longitudinal direction of the tape as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B described above, and includes a light source 12 for emitting a laser beam, An optical system including a pulse modulator 14, a mirror 16, a beam expander 18, a beam profile shaper 20, and a multi-lens lens 22, a tape transport unit 24, and a processing position, which will be described later, which is a main part of the processing apparatus 10 of the present invention. And an airtight magnetic tape transport roller pair (hereinafter, referred to as a seal roller pair) 104.

In such a processing apparatus 10, the (magnetic) tape T is emitted from the light source 12 while being transported in the longitudinal direction (the direction of the arrow x in the drawing) while the (magnetic) tape T is being positioned at a predetermined processing position by the tape transport means 24. The laser beam is incident on the processing position by an optical system, thereby forming a processing line on the tape T. Here, the tape T is transported with its back layer facing upward (toward the laser beam incidence side), and accordingly, the back layer of the tape T is processed by the laser beam.

As the light source 12, any light source (laser oscillator) can be used as long as it has an output capable of processing the back layer of the tape T. Preferably, a laser beam in the ultraviolet or visible region is used. One that can emit at least one is used. In terms of workability, a laser beam having a short wavelength is more preferable, and a laser beam in the ultraviolet region is the best, but a laser beam in the visible region is preferable in terms of cost, safety, workability, and the like. In particular,
488nm and 515nm argon (ion) lasers and YAG lasers are SHG (second harmonic generation)
A light source that emits a 532 nm laser beam whose wavelength has been converted by a second harmonic generation element is exemplified.

The pulse modulator 14 performs pulse modulation of a laser beam in order to form a processing line segment as shown in FIG. Therefore, when the light source 12 can directly perform pulse modulation or when only the processing line as shown in FIG. 1A is formed, the pulse modulator 14 is unnecessary. As the pulse modulator 14, known modulation means such as an AOM (acoustic optical modulator) can be used. Further, by adjusting the modulation period, the length of the processing line segment can be adjusted.

The laser beam is reflected by the mirror 16 in a predetermined direction, and then enters the beam expander 18. The processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment divides one laser beam to form a processing line on the tape T, but applies the processing line to the entire surface in the width direction corresponding to the tape T having various widths. Preferably it is formable. However, in general, the diameter of the laser beam emitted from the light source is about 1 mm, and the width of the tape T is wider than that, so that the entire surface of the tape T in the width direction cannot be processed as it is.

Therefore, in the processing apparatus 10, the beam expander 18 is arranged to expand the diameter of the laser beam emitted from the light source 12. For example, when the diameter of the laser beam emitted from the light source 12 is 1 mm and the width of the tape T is 0.5 inch, the diameter of the laser beam may be increased about 15 to 20 times. Further, it is preferable that the diameter expansion rate of the laser beam in the beam expander 18 is adjustable.

The laser beam expanded in diameter by the beam expander 18 is then sent to a beam profiler 20
(Hereinafter, simply referred to as a molding device 20). Molding machine 2
0 makes the intensity of the laser beam substantially uniform over the entire beam spot, that is, makes the intensity distribution of the laser beam substantially uniform.

Normally, since the laser beam emitted from the light source 12 has an intensity distribution such as a Gaussian distribution,
When the tape T is processed by this laser beam, the depth of the processing line varies depending on the intensity distribution. Therefore, by disposing the molding device 20, the intensity distribution of the laser beam can be made uniform, and the depth of the processing line to be formed can be made uniform. As the shaping device 20, various optical filters, an aperture having the same diameter as a laser beam for shaping a beam profile using Fresnel diffraction, a multi-lens lens, and the like can be used.

The laser beam is then applied to the multi-lens 22
Incident on. The multi-lens lens 22 is formed by arranging a large number of microball lenses and selfoc lenses in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis with its optical axis parallel to the laser beam. The light beam is divided, incident on a predetermined processing position, and imaged. Thus, the back layer of the tape T is processed by the laser beam to form a processing line or the like (recess).

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing one example of the structure viewed from the optical axis direction. The multi-lens lens 22 in the illustrated example is, for example, a microball lens or a selfoc lens (hereinafter, both are collectively referred to as a lens) in which 5 × 5 lenses are arranged in a close-packed state, as shown in FIG. As described above, the lens arrangement line indicated by the alternate long and short dash line is arranged with a slight inclination with respect to the transport direction x and the width direction of the tape T.
Thereby, the tape T is transported once in the longitudinal direction (one pass).
By simply doing so, a total of 25 (rows) processing lines a extending in the longitudinal direction can be formed.

Here, the distance between the processing lines a can be adjusted by adjusting the angle between the transport direction x and the lens arrangement line, but in order to form the processing lines efficiently,
This angle is the optical axis of each lens (the center of the beam waist)
Must be set so as not to overlap in the transport direction x.
For example, when paying attention to the lens arrangement line in the width direction of the tape T, if the number of multi-lens lenses in one row is N; and the angle between the transport direction x and the arrangement line is θ; Means that the optical axes of the lenses do not overlap in the transport direction x. sin [(2π / 3) + θ] ≧ N · sin θ Note that the lens arrangement of the multi-lens is not limited to the close-packed state shown in FIG. 4, and various types can be used.

In the processing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 3, the tape T is moved to a predetermined processing position by the tape transport means 24 so that the back layer side (back side) faces upstream (laser beam incident side) of the laser beam optical path. (That is, the transport direction x and the longitudinal direction are matched) while being transported in the longitudinal direction. Note that the tape transport means 24 includes transport drive means (not shown) such as a capstan roller, a rewinder, and a winder, guide rollers 26 and 28,
And a tape flattener 30.

The tape flattener 30 contacts the surface (magnetic layer side) of the tape T to be conveyed, and positions the tape T at a predetermined processing position. The tape T is fed to the tape flattener 3 by guide rollers 26 and 28 arranged in the transport direction x with the tape flatner 30 interposed therebetween.
A transport path passing below 0 is formed. As a result, the tape T is pressed and supported by the tape flattener 30, and is positioned at the processing position.

In the tape processing device according to the present invention,
Since the processing by the laser beam is a fine processing with a width of 3 μm to 10 μm as shown in the example of the tape T having a width of 0.5 inches described above, the diameter of the beam spot incident on the processing position is small. The tolerance of the beam waist is very narrow. Therefore, tape flattener 3
0, high precision in the depth of focus direction of the multi-lens lens 22,
Preferably, it is required to position the tape T with an error of 10 μm or less.

As a preferable tape flattener 30 for realizing this, as shown in FIG. 5A, a triangular prism (blade blade type) that supports the tape T at the side ridge is provided. In this state, two or more arrays arranged in the transport direction x are exemplified. In addition, as shown in FIG. 5B, a tape flattener in which a plurality of semicircular (D-shaped) column supporting members that support the tape T on the side surface are similarly arranged, and FIG. As shown, a tape flattener in which a plurality of cylindrical support members that support the tape T on the side surface are similarly arranged, and a plate (rectangular parallelepiped) -type tape flattener as shown in FIG. Is exemplified.

As described above, the light is emitted from the light source 12, modulated by the pulse modulator 14, reflected by the mirror 16, expanded by the beam expander 18, and expanded by the beam expander 18. The intensity distribution is made uniform, and the laser beam split and modulated by the multi-lens lens 22 enters and forms an image.

Therefore, the tape T is conveyed in the longitudinal direction by the tape conveyer 24 while the tape T is conveyed in the longitudinal direction while being positioned at the processing position by the tape flattener 30 with the back side facing upstream of the laser beam optical path. Processing lines (concave portions) extending in the longitudinal direction are formed in the back layer, and in the above-described example, 25 processing lines are formed by one transfer. In the present invention using a laser beam in the visible or ultraviolet region, both the thermal processing by the laser beam and the processing by ablation (dissociation and separation) occur in a combined manner, and the back layer is processed. Conceivable.

In the tape processing device according to the present invention,
The processing of the back layer of the tape T often generates processing dust and gas such as dust. Therefore, it is preferable to provide a removing means for removing the above-mentioned processing residue and gas near the processing position. Further, it is preferable to provide a cleaning means downstream of the processing position for removing at least the foreign matter attached to at least the back surface (back layer surface), preferably the front and back surfaces of the tape T.

In the processing apparatus 10 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, at the processing position of the tape T, the tape T is moved in the longitudinal direction by the tape transport means 24 with the back layer facing the upstream side of the laser beam optical path. In order to function when processing while being transported, a shielding portion 102 for enclosing the vicinity of the processing position so as to be substantially airtightly sealed, and a seal roller pair 10.
4 is provided.

More specifically, the shielding section 102 prevents foreign matter such as processing debris generated at the processing position from being processed so as not to hinder the transport of the tape T or the processing by the laser beam. Fig. 3
As shown in FIG.
6 and 28 and a tape flattener 30 for shielding the vicinity of the above-mentioned processing position of the tape T, and are firmly configured.

The entry side of the tape T of the shielding section 102 is
It is composed of a slit with a height with some margin in the tape thickness. Further, the exit side of the tape T of the shielding portion 102 is a pair of seal rolls for preventing air containing foreign matter such as processing waste near the processing position from flowing out to the outside accompanied by the tape T. 104 has a sealing structure.

Further, an exhaust duct 102a is provided at a position near the exit of the tape T of the shielding portion 102, and the inside of the shielding portion 102 is exhausted to make a slight pressure reduction state. In the processing apparatus of the embodiment configured as described above, foreign matter such as processing dust generated at the time of forming a concave portion on the tape T by a laser beam is sealed in the shielding portion 102 together with the surrounding air. Air containing foreign matter such as processing waste is exhausted from the duct 102a.

The sealing roll pair 104 prevents the tape T sent out from the shielding portion 102 after the processing is completed from being carried out by the seal roll pair 104 so that air containing foreign matter such as the above-mentioned processing waste is not entrained to flow out. The exit of the tape T from the shielding unit 102 is substantially closed, and the front and back surfaces of the tape T are squeezed. Thus, in the processing apparatus of the present embodiment, it is possible to almost completely prevent the air including foreign matter such as processing waste existing near the processing position from flowing out to the outside accompanied by the tape T. .

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment. FIG. 6 (A)
FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a portion corresponding to the shielding unit 102 of the processing apparatus shown in FIG. 3, and is somewhat simplified, including the transport path of the tape T. The shielding unit 102 according to the present embodiment includes a special slit 106 on the exit side of the tape T for preventing air containing foreign matter such as the above-mentioned processing waste from being taken out and taken out. FIG.
FIG. 2B is an enlarged view of the special slit 106.

The special slit 106 is provided on the exit side of the shielding portion 102, and has air blowing ports 106c and 106d from both the upper and lower directions in the middle thereof. The outer side 106b of the shielding unit 102 is separated from the inner side 106a by the air blowing ports 106c and 106d.
So that the dimension in the figure is a≪b
(Where a is the length of the inner side 106a, b is the outer side 10a
6b).

By setting the length in this manner, the special slit 10 can be inserted through the air blowing ports 106c and 106d.
Most of the air blown into the inside 6 flows toward the inner side 106a having a short length. Accordingly, in the processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, in combination with the exhaust of the shielding portion 102, the air including foreign matter such as processing waste existing near the processing position is prevented from flowing out to the outside accompanied by the tape T. ,
It can be almost completely prevented.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment. FIG. 7 (A)
6A is a cross-sectional view showing, in an enlarged manner, a portion corresponding to the shielding section 102 of the processing apparatus shown in FIG.
It is somewhat simplified. The shielding unit 102 according to the present embodiment includes:
In order to prevent air containing foreign matter such as the above-mentioned processing waste from being accompanied by air at the outlet side of the tape T and flowing out to the outside,
A special slit 108 is provided. FIG. 7B is an enlarged view of the special slit 108.

The special slit 108 is provided on the exit side of the shielding portion 102, and has air blowing ports 108a and 108b from both the upper and lower directions on the way. Also, the shape is such that the outer side of the shielding portion 102 is wider than the inner side, that is, the dimension in the drawing is a≫b (here,
a is the opening height on the inner side, and b is the opening height on the outer side).

By setting the length in this way, the special slit 10 can be inserted through the air blowing ports 108a and 108b.
Most of the air blown into the inside 8 flows into the inside of the shielding portion 102 having a high opening height. This allows
In the processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, the air including foreign matter such as processing waste existing near the processing position, together with the exhaust of the shielding unit 102, is almost completely prevented from flowing out to the outside accompanied by the tape T. Can be prevented.

It is also possible to combine the special slit having the structure shown in FIG. 6 with the special slit having the structure shown in FIG. 7. In this case, a smaller amount of air is used, and It is possible to almost completely prevent air containing foreign matter such as processing waste existing near the processing position from flowing out to the outside accompanied by the tape T.

FIG. 8 shows still another embodiment. FIG.
6A shows, in an enlarged manner, a portion corresponding to the shielding portion 102 of the processing apparatus shown in FIG.
FIG. 8 is a plan view), which is somewhat simplified. The shielding unit 102 according to the present embodiment includes an air flow supply unit 110 on the exit side of the tape T for preventing air containing foreign matter such as the above-described processing waste from being accompanied and flowing out. I have.

The air flow supply means 110 is shown in FIG.
This is a type of air curtain forming device that includes a plurality of air ejection nozzles 110a and suction nozzles 110b provided in a plurality of stages in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface. By squeezing the front and back surfaces of the tape T by the air flow supply means 110, foreign matter such as processing dust in the accompanying air of the tape T is prevented from being carried into the next step.

FIG. 9 shows still another embodiment. FIG.
6A is a cross-sectional view showing, in an enlarged manner, a portion corresponding to the shielding section 102 of the processing apparatus shown in FIG.
It is somewhat simplified. The shielding unit 102 according to the present embodiment includes:
In order to prevent air containing foreign matter such as the above-mentioned processing waste from being accompanied by air at the outlet side of the tape T and flowing out to the outside,
A backflow air supply means 112 is provided.

The backflow air supply means 112 sends compressed air from the tape outlet side of the shielding portion 102 to both the front and back surfaces of the tape T by means of air blowing nozzles 112a and 112b. In this way, by squeezing both the front and back surfaces of the tape T with the airflow from the backflow airflow supply means 112, foreign matter such as processing dust in the accompanying air of the tape T is prevented from being carried into the next step.

FIG. 10 shows still another embodiment. FIG.
0 is an enlarged sectional view showing a portion corresponding to the shielding portion 102 of the processing apparatus shown in FIG. 3, similarly to FIG. 6A, and is somewhat simplified. The shielding unit 102 according to the present embodiment
The tape back side (back layer) squeezing means 114 and the air suction means 116 for preventing air containing foreign matter such as the above-mentioned processing waste from being accompanied by air at the outlet side of the tape T and flowing out. It has.

The tape back side squeezing means 114 is provided near the tape exit of the shielding section 102 to control the back side of the tape T,
That is, the machined surface is mechanically squeezed. The air suction means 116 is for efficiently sucking air behind the processing position including foreign matter such as processing chips peeled from the tape T by the tape back surface squeezing means 114.

In the processing apparatus according to this embodiment, the tape T
By squeezing the back surface of the
This prevents foreign substances such as processing dust in the accompanying air of the tape T from being carried into the next step.

By the way, such a processing apparatus 1 of the present invention
Reference numeral 0 denotes various members such as a supply reel for supplying the tape T to be processed, a take-up reel for winding the tape T processed by the processing device 10, a transport means for the tape T, and a speed control means for tape transport. At the same time, they are installed as a unit on a plate or the like. For example, as shown in FIG. In FIG.
(A) is a front view and (B) is a side view.
Is a supply reel, and 122 is a take-up reel, and the duct 102a is connected to an exhaust unit outside a plate 124 (a casing 126 described later). In addition, on the plate 124, in addition to these members, a tape T
Although various parts such as a transfer route, a transfer means, and a tape transfer speed control means are installed integrally, they are omitted in FIG. 11 in order to simplify the drawing and clarify the configuration.

Here, as described above, the processing position is surrounded by the shielding portion 102, the inside of the shielding portion 102 is exhausted by the duct 102a, and the outside flow of the airflow from the shielding portion 102 is prevented by the differential pressure. Even with the processing apparatus 10 of the present invention, it is not possible to completely remove the gas and scum generated by the processing (hereinafter, these are collectively referred to as a processing gas), and the processing gas is slightly shielded. It may flow out of the unit 102. Although very rare, these processing gases may adhere to the tape T running on the plate 124 and degrade the product quality.

In order to prevent this, it is preferable that FIG.
1 (A), the entire plate 124 is surrounded by a casing 126 as shown by a hatched line and a dotted line in FIG. 1 (B). In the space defined by the casing 126, the air flow by clean air is positively increased. It is preferable to prevent the processing gas from adhering to the tape T.

The shape and material of the casing 126 are not particularly limited as long as it can surround the entire plate 124. Preferably, in order to improve the operability, the casing 126 is preferably made of a transparent material so that the inside of the casing 126 can be observed. Further, in order to ensure good operability, it is preferable that the front surface of the casing 126 can be opened and closed by a double door or a roll-up type shutter, or the casing 1 can be opened and closed using a hinge or the like.
The entire 26 may be opened upward.

There is no particular limitation on the flow direction of the air flow, and the position between the intake position and the exhaust position where the processing gas does not come into contact with the tape T is considered in consideration of the layout of the tape transport system, the air flow rate, and the like. What is necessary is just to select a relationship suitably. As a preferred example, as shown in FIG. 12A, an exhaust pipe 127 having a hole on a side surface connected to an exhaust duct 128 is arranged below the inside of the casing 126, and air is introduced from above the casing 126. 12B, and as shown in FIG.
An exhaust port 130 connected to the casing 28 is provided at one location (a front surface in the illustrated example) of the casing 126, and a unipolar exhaust system in which air is introduced from the side or top surface of the casing 124 is exemplified. Further, air may be introduced from a gap between the casing 126 and the plate 124.

The air introduced into the casing 126 is preferably purified air, and a filter or the like may be provided at the air introducing portion of the casing 126. In any case, it is preferable that this air flow is generated so as not to hinder the tape transport in the processing apparatus 10 of the present invention, and in particular, to have a strength that does not break the air balance in the shielding portion 102. .

The method and apparatus for processing a magnetic tape according to the present invention have been described in detail above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various methods may be used without departing from the gist of the present invention. Improvements and changes may be made.

[0067]

As described above in detail, according to the tape processing method and the processing apparatus of the present invention, in a magnetic tape manufacturing apparatus such as a blade machine or a winder, even if the transport speed is increased, the capping is not performed. There is no slippage by the stun roller or the like, so that high-speed and accurate conveyance can be performed, and a magnetic tape with less cupping and excellent characteristics can be efficiently processed. Also, by using this processing method and processing apparatus,
Under proper production control, stable magnetic tape without damage can be manufactured with high production efficiency, and the appearance of the tape when wound on a cartridge or pancake can be beautiful, and the tape appearance is reduced due to cupping. , Worse per head,
Damage to the tape edge can also be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIGS. 1A and 1B are diagrams each showing an example of a processing line (recess) formed on a back layer of a tape by a tape processing method according to the present invention.

FIGS. 2 (A), (B) and (C) are diagrams showing the shapes of processing lines (recesses) formed on the back layer of the magnetic tape by the tape processing method according to the present invention, respectively.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a main part of a magnetic tape processing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a multi-lens used in the magnetic tape processing device shown in FIG.

5A to 5D are diagrams each showing a specific configuration example of the tape flattener 30 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6A is a detailed cross-sectional view of a shielding portion, which is a main part of a magnetic tape processing device according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
Is an enlarged view of FIG.

FIG. 7A is a detailed cross-sectional view of a shielding portion which is a main part of a magnetic tape processing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
Is an enlarged view of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a detailed plan view of a shielding portion which is a main part of a magnetic tape processing apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a detailed sectional view of a shielding portion, which is a main part of a magnetic tape processing apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a detailed sectional view of a shielding portion, which is a main part of a magnetic tape processing apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

11A and 11B are conceptual views of an example of a plate on which the magnetic tape processing apparatus according to the present invention is installed, wherein FIG. 11A is a front view and FIG. 11B is a side view.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are conceptual diagrams for explaining an air flow in a casing shown in FIG. 11;

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Processing apparatus 12 Light source 14 Pulse modulator 16 Mirror 18 Beam expander 20 (Beam profile) molding machine 22 Multi-lens 24 Tape transport means 26, 28 Guide roller 30 Tape flatner 102 Shielding part 104 Seal roll pair 106 Special slit 106a , 106b Inside and outside of special slit 106, 106c, 106d Air blowing port 108 Special slit 108a, 108b Air blowing port 110 Air flow supply means 110a Air blowing nozzle 110b Suction nozzle 112 Backflow air flow supply means 112a, 112b Air blowing nozzle 114 Tape back side squeezing means 116 Air suction means 120 Supply reel 122 Take-up reel 124 Plate 126 Casing 127 Exhaust pipe 128 Exhaust duct 1 0 exhaust port

Claims (2)

[Claims] When a magnetic tape is conveyed in a longitudinal direction, at least one of a visible region or an ultraviolet region laser beam is incident on a back layer of the magnetic tape, and the back layer is processed to form a concave portion. , Surrounding the processed part,
A method for processing a magnetic tape, wherein dust generated by processing is removed by exhausting the enclosed portion. 2. A light source for emitting at least one of a visible region laser beam and an ultraviolet region laser beam, an optical system for projecting a laser beam emitted from the light source to a predetermined processing position, and: Conveying means for conveying the magnetic tape in the longitudinal direction with the back layer facing the upstream side of the laser beam optical path, and at the processing position,
Means for ensuring the flatness of the magnetic tape conveyed by the conveying means, shielding means for enclosing the vicinity of the processing position, and exhaust means for exhausting the inside of the shielding means; Processing equipment.