JP2004022001A - Servo writer of magnetic tape - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To inspect by using a servo writer whether a servo signal is readable or not. <P>SOLUTION: This servo writer writes the servo signal showing the reference position of a tape in the width direction into the magnetic tape MT and also inspects the servo signal, and is furnished with: a tape guide part for servo write exactly controlling the position of the magnetic tape in the width direction so that the servo signal is exactly written at a specified distance from an edge of the magnetic tape MT; a fixed write head H1 for writing the servo signal at the tape guide part for servo write; a tape guide part for inspection controlling more loosely the position of the magnetic tape in the width direction as compared with the tape guide part for servo write at the downstream side in the tape running direction of the tape guide part for servo write; and a photosensor S for inspecting the servo signal recorded on the magnetic tape in the tape guide part for inspection. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a servo writer that writes a servo signal to a magnetic tape in a magnetic tape manufacturing process, and more particularly to a servo writer that can improve the efficiency of an inspection process.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Magnetic tapes used as computer data storage in recent years have improved recording density in order to increase recording capacity. Therefore, the data track on which data is recorded is extremely narrow. For example, there is a magnetic tape having a track width of about 10 μm to 20 μm. When the width of the data track becomes narrow in this way, it is extremely difficult to align the position of the data track on the magnetic tape and the signal reading element of the magnetic head. A mechanism is used that writes a signal and adjusts the position of the magnetic head while reading the servo signal.
[0003]
Since the servo signal recorded on the magnetic tape is a position for recording and reproducing data signals on the magnetic tape, it must be accurately written on the magnetic tape in the production process. For this reason, in a magnetic tape production factory, servo signals are recorded by a dedicated servo writer having a highly accurate magnetic tape running system with almost no fluctuation in the width direction and a magnetic head for recording a fixed servo signal. For example, the servo signal is written on the magnetic tape while the position of the tape guide for regulating the magnetic tape in the width direction and the magnetic tape is regulated so that the clearance between the tape and the magnetic tape is almost zero. The magnetic tape on which the servo signal is recorded by such a servo writer is housed in a cartridge case to manufacture a magnetic tape cartridge.
[0004]
However, a generally used magnetic tape drive does not have an accurate magnetic tape running system like a servo writer from the viewpoint of cost and durability of repeated use of the magnetic tape. That is, the tape guide for regulating the magnetic tape in the width direction has a loose clearance setting as compared with a dedicated servo writer. For this reason, the running behavior of the magnetic tape in the drive is slightly different from that at the time of writing the servo signal, and there is a possibility that a servo signal reading error may occur. For example, when the magnetic tape itself has a waviness or a bend in the width direction, even if the servo signal was accurately written from the edge of the magnetic tape to a certain position by the servo writer, it was run by the magnetic tape drive. Sometimes, when viewed from a fixed position, the servo signal may swell or bend relatively.
[0005]
Therefore, conventionally, there has been provided a step of inspecting the magnetic tape after the servo signal is written and stored in the cartridge case by reading the servo signal with a magnetic tape drive that actually records and reproduces data.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the inspection of the total number of magnetic tape cartridges described above not only takes a lot of man-hours for the inspection process itself, but the magnetic tape cartridges judged to be defective as a result of the inspection are not only magnetic tapes but also other cases such as cartridge cases. There was a waste that parts had to be discarded. Of course, some parts can be reused if they are disassembled, but considering the man-hours, it was not practical.
The present invention has been made from such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic tape servo writer capable of improving the efficiency of the magnetic tape inspection process.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problems, a first invention is a servo writer that writes a servo signal indicating a reference position in a width direction on a magnetic tape and inspects the servo signal, and the servo signal is converted into the magnetic signal. Servo write tape guide that accurately regulates the position in the width direction of the magnetic tape so as to accurately write at a predetermined distance from the edge of the tape, and fixed writing for writing servo signals by the servo write tape guide. A head, a tape guide portion for inspection that regulates the position in the width direction of the magnetic tape more loosely in the tape running direction downstream of the tape guide portion for servo light than the tape guide portion for servo light, and the inspection An inspection device for inspecting a servo signal recorded on the magnetic magnetic tape in the tape guide portion; That.
[0008]
According to such a servo writer, the position of the traveling magnetic tape is accurately regulated in the width direction by the tape guide portion for servo writing, and the servo signal is written by the fixed writing head. That is, a servo signal is written on the magnetic tape at an accurate position at a predetermined distance from the edge of the magnetic tape.
The magnetic tape on which the servo signal has been written is an inspection tape guide portion located downstream of the servo light tape guide portion, and the position in the width direction is regulated more loosely than the servo write tape guide portion. Is done. That is, as with a general magnetic tape drive, the magnetic tape is guided in a state in which the vibration in the width direction is relatively allowed. In this state, the inspection device measures the running state of the magnetic tape and checks whether the servo signal can be read by a general magnetic tape drive.
[0009]
As a result of the inspection by the inspection device, if the magnetic tape is running with good linearity with few meandering of the magnetic tape, it can be determined that the servo signal can be read even with a general magnetic tape drive. If the meandering is large and it moves suddenly in the width direction, it can be determined that it is difficult to read the servo signal with a general magnetic tape drive.
[0010]
The servo light tape guide portion and the inspection tape guide portion are configured by appropriately combining, for example, a rotating guide roller, a non-rotating flanged tape guide, or the like. Does not mean etc. In other words, the range in which the position of the magnetic tape is regulated in the width direction with sufficient accuracy to write servo signals is the tape guide for servo write, and the width of the magnetic tape is looser than the tape guide for servo write. The inspection tape guide portion corresponds to the range in which the wobbling in the width direction equivalent to the traveling system of the magnetic tape drive, which is positioned in the direction and used by each manufacturer or the like as a reference for pass / fail inspection, is generated.
[0011]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the servo writer according to the first aspect of the invention, the inspection device includes an optical sensor that detects a vibration in the width direction of the magnetic tape.
[0012]
The second invention is an embodiment of the inspection apparatus according to the first invention. As described above, by using the optical sensor as the inspection device and measuring the vibration in the width direction of the magnetic tape, it is possible to evaluate the readability of the servo signal caused by the meandering of the tape. When the optical sensor is used in this way, it is not necessary to read a servo signal recorded in a very narrow track width with a magnetic head, so that inspection can be performed even if the magnetic tape is at a high speed. Therefore, the production cost of the magnetic tape can be reduced.
[0013]
Furthermore, a third invention is the servo writer according to the second invention, wherein the optical sensor partially emits light to the edge portion of the magnetic tape and the magnetic tape on the opposite side of the light emitting portion. And a light receiving unit that detects the blocked light.
[0014]
According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in the servo writer of the first aspect, the inspection device includes a magnetic head for reading the servo signal.
As in the servo writer of the fourth invention, if the inspection is performed by reading the servo signal with the magnetic head, the inspection can be performed under conditions very close to the state in which the servo signal is read with a general magnetic tape drive. Reliability can be improved.
[0015]
In the servo writer of the first to fourth inventions, the clearance in the width direction of the tape guide in the servo write tape guide portion with respect to the magnetic tape is preferably 0 to 1 μm, and the inspection tape guide The clearance of the tape guide in the width direction of the tape guide in the width direction is preferably 5 to 10 μm.
[0016]
Moreover, it is preferable that the clearance in the width direction of the tape guide in the inspection tape guide portion with respect to the magnetic tape can be adjusted. In this way, by making it possible to adjust the degree of position regulation in the width direction of the magnetic tape in the inspection tape guide portion, it is possible to perform inspection assuming a plurality of types of magnetic tape drives with a single servo writer. It becomes possible.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate.
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a servo writer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the servo writer 10 includes a delivery reel 11 for feeding out the magnetic tape MT and a take-up reel 12 for taking up the magnetic tape MT from the delivery reel 11. On the downstream side of the delivery reel 11 and the upstream side of the take-up reel 12, for example, a write head H1 for writing a C-shaped servo signal is arranged, and the upstream side and the downstream side of the write head H1 Further, guides 13 and 13 are provided for causing the magnetic tape MT to run along the write head H1. The range in which the position of the magnetic tape MT is accurately regulated in the width direction by the guides 13 and 13 corresponds to the servo light tape guide. Further, an inspection head H2, which is a magnetic head for inspecting the servo signal written by the write head H1, is provided between the guide 13 and the take-up reel 12 arranged on the downstream side. In the vicinity of the inspection head H2, guides 14,... For moving the magnetic tape MT along the inspection head H2 are provided. The range in which the position of the magnetic tape MT is regulated in the width direction by the guides 14 corresponds to the inspection tape guide portion. The inspection head H2 is connected to a servo signal determination unit 15 that determines whether the servo signal has been read correctly. The servo writer 10 includes a tension adjusting device (not shown) for adjusting the tension of the magnetic tape MT to a predetermined tension, a tension detecting device T, a guide roller R for guiding the magnetic tape MT, and the like. Various devices are provided.
[0018]
FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the servo light tape guide portion according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the guides 13 are attached to a reference side (hereinafter referred to as “panel side”) 10 a (see FIG. 1) of the servo writer 10. The contact surface 13a of the guides 13 and 13 with respect to the magnetic tape MT has an arc shape so as to slide smoothly on the recording surface of the magnetic tape MT, and the end of the guides 13 and 13 on the panel side 10a side has a magnetic tape. A flange 13d is formed along the MT traveling direction. A resin contact 13c is attached to the end surface of the flange 13d on the human side (opposite to the panel side edge), and an edge guide surface 13b for guiding the panel side edge (reference edge) MT1 of the magnetic tape MT. Is configured.
For example, an elastic body (not shown) is attached to the human side of each guide 13 in order to prevent damage to the magnetic tape MT.
The elastic body is formed of a thin metal plate (stainless steel plate or the like), and the mounting base of the elastic body is sandwiched between the upper surface of each guide 13 and a mounting block (not shown) seated on the guide 13. The distal end side portion of the elastic body has a plurality of arms, and a resin contact is attached to the distal end portion of each arm. The distance between each arm of the elastic body and the edge guide surface 13b is determined based on the maximum width of the meandering and width variation of the magnetic tape MT in order to prevent damage to the magnetic tape MT due to meandering and width variation. . Of course, an appropriate margin may be allowed for this interval. The clearance between the magnetic tape, the edge guide surface 13b, and the elastic body is preferably set to 0 to 1 μm, for example.
According to such guides 13 and 13, the position in the width direction of the magnetic tape MT is very accurately regulated, and the servo signal is recorded at a position a fixed distance from the panel side edge MT1 by the write head H1.
[0019]
FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the inspection tape guide portion according to the first embodiment. In the inspection tape guide portion, the magnetic tape MT reads the servo signal with the inspection head H2 while being regulated more loosely by the guide 14 than in the servo write tape guide portion. The guide 14 has flange-like flanges 14b and 14b having a diameter larger than that of the guide portion 14a at both ends of the cylindrical guide portion 14a, and is fixed to the panel side 10a (see FIG. 1) of the servo writer 10. Yes. The length of the guide portion 14a is somewhat longer than the width of the magnetic tape MT, and the human side edge MT2 of the magnetic tape MT is close to the one flange 14b, and between the other flange 14b and the panel side edge MT1. The D clearance remains.
The setting of the clearance D and the arrangement of the guide 14 are preferably set and arranged in the same manner as a general magnetic tape drive. The clearance D is preferably set to 5 to 10 μm, for example.
Further, in order to be able to adjust the amount of the clearance D, it is desirable that the flanges 14b and 14b be configured to be movable with screws, or the entire guide 14 be configured to be replaceable. By doing so, it is possible to perform an inspection assuming a plurality of types of magnetic tape drives.
The inspection head H2 may be fixed to the panel 10a. Similarly to the head of the magnetic tape drive, when the magnetic tape MT swings in the width direction, the head is moved in accordance with the position of the servo signal. You may control by a magnetic head control apparatus so that a signal may be followed.
[0020]
The servo signal determination unit 15 is means for determining whether the servo signal read by the inspection head H2 is correct. For example, the servo signal determination unit 15 is configured by a general computer that can perform comparison, calculation, storage, and the like, a dedicated circuit, and a servo signal pattern stored in advance and an actual inspection head H2. The servo signal patterns read in step 1 are compared, and if they match, it is determined to be good, and if they do not match, it is determined to be defective.
The inspection head H2 and the servo signal determination unit 15 correspond to the inspection device referred to in the claims.
[0021]
According to the servo writer as described above, the following operational effects can be obtained.
First, the magnetic tape MT delivered from the delivery reel 11 is guided by the guide rollers R,..., Passes through the tension inspection device T, and enters the servo light tape guide portion. In the tape guide portion for servo writing, the servo signal is written from the panel side edge MT1 to a fixed position by the writing head H1 with the guides 13 and 13 accurately positioned in the width direction.
The magnetic tape MT on which the servo signal is written travels further downstream and enters the inspection tape guide portion. In the inspection tape guide section, the signal is read by the inspection head H2 while the width direction is regulated by the guides 14,... With the same accuracy as a general magnetic tape drive. When the magnetic head control device is provided, the servo signal is controlled while the inspection head H2 is position-controlled so that the read portion of the inspection head H2 is aligned with the position of the servo signal according to the variation in the width direction of the magnetic tape MT. Is read.
[0022]
The servo signal read by the inspection head H2 is input to the servo signal determination unit 15, and is checked to see if it matches the servo signal pattern stored in the servo signal determination unit 15 in advance to determine whether it is good or bad. The If the servo signal determination unit 15 determines that the magnetic tape MT is good, the magnetic tape MT is wound around the take-up reel 12 to become a product. If it is determined that the magnetic tape MT is defective, for example, the servo writer 10 is stopped, Remove the defective part and discard.
[0023]
As described above, according to the servo writer 10 of the first embodiment, the servo signal is read by the inspection head H2 in the inspection tape guide portion in which the position control in the width direction is controlled to the same extent as a general magnetic tape drive. Inspected. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately inspect with a magnetic tape drive in a later process, and the process can be reduced. Further, since the defective portion can be eliminated before the magnetic tape MT is stored in the cartridge case, it is not necessary to discard the cartridge case even if there is a servo signal recording error. Further, since the servo signal is actually read by the inspection head H2, a highly reliable magnetic tape can be obtained.
[0024]
[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a servo writer according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In addition, about the part same as 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.
As shown in FIG. 4, the servo writer 10 includes a delivery reel 11 for sending out the magnetic tape MT and a take-up reel 12 for taking up the magnetic tape MT from the delivery reel 11. On the downstream side of the delivery reel 11 and the upstream side of the take-up reel 12, for example, a write head H1 for writing a C-shaped servo signal is arranged, and the upstream side and the downstream side of the write head H1 Further, guides 13 and 13 are provided for causing the magnetic tape MT to run along the write head H1. The range in which the position of the magnetic tape MT is accurately regulated in the width direction by the guides 13 and 13 corresponds to the servo light tape guide. An optical sensor S is arranged between the guide 13 and the take-up reel 12 arranged on the downstream side in order to check whether the servo signal written by the write head H1 can be read by the magnetic tape drive. ing. In the vicinity of the optical sensor S, guides 14 for guiding the magnetic tape MT are provided. The range in which the position of the magnetic tape MT is regulated in the width direction by the guides 14 corresponds to the inspection tape guide portion. The optical sensor S is connected to a servo signal determination unit 25 that determines whether the servo signal can be accurately read by a general magnetic tape drive. The servo writer 10 includes a tension adjusting device (not shown) for adjusting the tension of the magnetic tape MT to a predetermined tension, a tension detecting device T, a guide roller R for guiding the magnetic tape MT, and the like. Various devices are provided.
[0025]
FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the inspection tape guide portion according to the second embodiment. In the inspection tape guide portion, the magnetic tape MT is regulated by the guide 14 so as to be looser in the width direction than the servo light tape guide portion, and the position of the panel side edge MT1 of the magnetic tape MT is measured by the optical sensor S. To do. The guide 14 has flange-like flanges 14 b and 14 b having a diameter larger than that of the guide portion 14 a at both ends of the cylindrical guide portion 14 a and is fixed to the panel side 10 a of the servo writer 10. The length of the guide portion 14a is somewhat longer than the width of the magnetic tape MT, and the human side edge MT2 of the magnetic tape MT is close to the one flange 14b, and between the other flange 14b and the panel side edge MT1. The D clearance remains.
The setting of the clearance D and the arrangement of the guide 14 are preferably set and arranged in the same manner as a general magnetic tape drive. For example, clearance D is
It is good to set to 5-10 micrometers.
[0026]
The optical sensor S includes a light emitting unit S1 that generates a curtain-shaped laser and a light receiving unit S2 that receives the laser emitted from the light emitting unit S1, and the curtain of light emitted from the light emitting unit S1 is on the panel side side. It is installed at a position that passes through the edge MT1. Then, the position of the panel side edge MT1 is measured based on the amount or position of the light received by the light receiving unit S2 without being blocked by the magnetic tape MT. The optical sensor S is not limited to the case where the curtain-like laser is used as described above. For example, the optical sensor S is configured by using a photo interrupter including a light emitting unit that emits light having a circular cross section and a light receiving unit that receives the light. Also good. Also in this case, the light emitting unit is installed so that light straddles one edge of the magnetic tape MT, for example, the panel side edge MT1, and the light intensity is detected by the photoelectric tube or the like in the light receiving unit. Measure the position of MT1.
[0027]
The servo signal determination unit 25 is means for determining whether the servo signal can be read correctly based on the edge position measured by the optical sensor S. For example, the servo signal determination unit 25 includes a general computer that can perform comparison, calculation, storage, and the like, and a dedicated circuit. Then, the position of the panel side edge MT1 input from the optical sensor S is sequentially stored. For example, when the shake amount of the panel side edge MT1 within a predetermined time is less than a predetermined value, it is determined as good. If it is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, it is determined as defective. This is because if the amount of shake of the panel side edge MT1 within a certain time is excessive, the head position cannot be controlled in a general magnetic tape drive, and the servo signal may not be read.
In addition, the optical sensor S and the servo signal determination unit 25 correspond to the inspection device referred to in the claims.
[0028]
According to the servo writer as described above, the following operational effects can be obtained.
First, the magnetic tape MT delivered from the delivery reel 11 is guided by the guide rollers R,..., Passes through the tension inspection device T, and enters the servo light tape guide portion. In the tape guide portion for servo writing, the servo signal is written from the panel side edge MT1 to a fixed position by the writing head H1 while the width direction is accurately positioned by the guides 13 and 13.
The magnetic tape MT on which the servo signal is written travels further downstream and enters the inspection tape guide portion. In the inspection tape guide portion, the position of the panel side edge MT1 is measured by the optical sensor S while the width direction is regulated by the guides 14,... With the same accuracy as a general magnetic tape drive.
[0029]
The position of the panel side edge MT1 read by the optical sensor S is input to the servo signal determination unit 25 and stored sequentially. Then, if the shake amount of the panel side edge MT1 within a certain time is less than a predetermined value, it is determined to be good, and if it is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, it is determined to be defective. If the servo signal determination unit 25 determines that the magnetic tape MT is good, the magnetic tape MT is wound around the take-up reel 12 to become a product. If it is determined that the magnetic tape MT is defective, the servo writer 10 is stopped, for example. Remove the defective part and discard.
[0030]
As described above, according to the servo writer 10 of the second embodiment, the edge position is measured by the optical sensor S in the inspection tape guide portion in which the position control in the width direction is controlled to the same extent as a general magnetic tape drive. The readability of the servo signal is checked. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform a separate inspection by a magnetic tape drive in a later process, and the process can be reduced. Further, since the defective portion can be eliminated before the magnetic tape MT is stored in the cartridge case, it is not necessary to discard the cartridge case even if there is a servo signal recording error. Furthermore, since the position of the edge of the magnetic tape MT is measured by the optical sensor S to inspect whether the servo signal can be read, the inspection can be performed at a higher speed than the case of inspecting with the magnetic head, and the product cost is increased. Can be lowered.
[0031]
As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, It can change and implement suitably.
[0032]
【The invention's effect】
As described in detail above, according to the present invention, the servo writer can determine whether or not the servo signal can be read, and the inspection process of the magnetic tape can be made efficient.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a servo writer according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a tape guide portion for servo writing according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a test tape guide portion according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a servo writer according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a test tape guide according to a second embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Servo writer 13,14 Guide 15,25 Servo signal determination part H1 Writing head H2 Inspection head MT Magnetic tape S Optical sensor

Claims (1)

A servo writer that writes a servo signal indicating a reference position in the width direction on the magnetic tape and inspects the servo signal,
A tape guide portion for servo write that accurately regulates the position in the width direction of the magnetic tape so that the servo signal is accurately written at a predetermined distance from the edge of the magnetic tape;
A fixed writing head for writing a servo signal in the tape guide portion for servo writing;
A tape guide portion for inspection that regulates the position in the width direction of the magnetic tape loosely in comparison with the tape guide portion for the servo light downstream of the tape guide portion for the servo light in the tape running direction;
A magnetic tape servo writer comprising: an inspection device for inspecting a servo signal recorded on the magnetic tape in the inspection tape guide section.

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