HANDLING, STORING, AND PACKAGING MAGNETIC TAPE

Today's magnetic tape coatings can store recorded signals for years. The data recorded is a permanent record that won't fade or weaken with age. And, it'll remain unchanged until it's altered by another magnetic field or until the tape coating deteriorates.

When magnetic tape recordings are ruined, the cause is usually poor handling, improper storage, or shipping damage. If you want your tape recordings to last a long time, you need to know how to properly handle, store, and ship magnetic tape.

HANDLING MAGNETIC TAPE

A magnetic tape reel or cartridge should always be in one of two places, either mounted on a tape recorder or in its storage container. When you handle magnetic tape, follow these rules:

• DO use extreme care when handling magnetic tape. Careless handling can damage magnetic tape, tape reels, and tape cartridges. Always hold a tape reel by the hub, NEVER by the flanges, and NEVER handle or touch the working tape surface.
• DO NOT let the magnetic tape trail on the floor. Even though the end of the tape may not have data stored on it, it can pick up dirt and dust that ends up on the recorder.
• DO clean your hands before handling magnetic tape. You can contaminate magnetic tape with dirt and oils from dirty hands.
• DO mount tape reels and cartridges properly. Improperly seated tape reels can cause unnecessary wear and tear on the magnetic tape.
• DO replace any warped take-up reels, as they can damage magnetic tape.
• DO keep the magnetic recorder and its take-up reel clean.
• Magnetic tape can pick up dirt and dust from the recorder itself.
• DO NOT use the top of a magnetic recorder as a work area.
• This can expose the magnetic tape to dirt, excessive heat, and stray magnetic fields.
• DO NOT allow eating, drinking, or smoking in areas where magnetic tape or devices are exposed.

STORING MAGNETIC TAPE

Most magnetic tape reels and cartridges spend a lot of time in storage. It's very important that you protect the stored tape from physical damage and the damaging effects of contamination and temperature and humidity extremes. If you don't, damage to the tape pack such as oxide shedding, layer-to-layer sticking, and tape deformation can happen. To protect magnetic tape from damage during storage, follow these rules:

• DO make sure that magnetic tape is wound properly on the reel hub and at the proper tension.
• DO always store tape reels vertically. DO NOT lay them on their side.
• DO maintain a proper environment. Keep the storage area clean, and at a 60 to 80F degree temperature and a 40 to 60% relative humidity.
• DO NOT store magnetic tapes near any equipment that generates stray magnetic fields.
• DO handle all tape reels and cartridges as gently as possible.
• DO NOT eat, drink, or smoke in a magnetic tape storage area.

PACKAGING MAGNETIC TAPE FOR SHIPPING

There may be times when you are asked to package magnetic tape reels or tape cartridges for shipment. If you want the tape to arrive in good condition, you must pack it properly to protect it from damage. The packaging you use must protect the tape reels or cartridges from impact, vibration, and temperature and humidity changes. Here are some simple rules to follow:

DO always package tape reels so that they're supported by their hub. This prevents any pressure on the reel's flanges that might flex the flanges against the tape pack. Figure 2-9 shows a shipping box that supports the tape reel by the hub.

Figure 2-9. - Reel box that supports reel by the hub.

• DO always use reel bands where available. Reel bands are for placement around the outside edges of the reel flanges to help prevent the flanges from flexing and damaging the tape.
• DO always ship magnetic reels in a container designed so its normal positioning is with the reels in a vertical position. This will prevent the tape pack from shifting and damaging the edges of the magnetic tape.
• DO always package tape cartridges in their shipping cases.
• Tape cartridges are more durable than tape reels, but they still need to be protected during shipment.

Q.30 When magnetic tapes are ruined, what three factors are normally the cause?
Q.31 What is the correct way to hold a magnetic tape reel?
Q.32 The take-up reel on your recorder is warped. What should you do to/with the reel?
Q.33 If magnetic tape is stored in areas with temperature and humidity extremes, what are three types of tape damage that may occur?
Q.34 List four rules you should follow when storing magnetic tape to protect it from damage.
Q.35 When packaging tape reels or cartridges for shipping, what are four rules you should follow to protect the tape reels from impact and vibration?