cjs
Experienced Member
Over in this post NF6X came up with a really interesting idea, that I think is worth its own thread. (I, at least, am fascinated by this idea.)
If I could get my hands on even a good DECtape drive head, I think I could make at least a read-only imager. The electronics would be in my area of skill, the mechanical portion of the transport would be more of a challenge for me but still achievable, but the head itself feels inaccessible to me.
On that topic, I would really like to learn how to design multi-track tape heads with geometries suitable for at least DECtape, if not 1/2” 9-track tape. Also how to fabricate prototypes, and how they would typically be mass-produced. How were they made with 1960s technology, and how might we make them with readily accessible technology in 2024?
Do any of y’all have tribal knowledge and/or references to information about practical multi-track tape head design and fabrication? I’ve only ever seen cartoonish sketches of how a tape head works, but never detailed drawings or photographs. Short of sectioning vintage tape heads with sandpaper, I don’t know how I could learn how they’re made.
I currently work at a small defense contractor, and we have a big machine shop with CNC milling machines and lathes, surface grinders, wire EDM, welding, and injection molding. I don’t think I could use any of that equipment off-hours for personal projects, but just for the sake of discussion let’s pretend that we have access to all of those kinds of equipment. My last job was at a company doing veterinary RFID microchips and readers, so let’s also pretend that we have access to coil winders and/or we know how to make them. Feel free to fork this discussion to another topic if desired.