Patent ID: 8611047
Filing Date: 2013-12-17
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
1. A servo writer comprising: a servo write head disposed to allow a magnetic tape to slidably contact therewith and configured to write a servo signal on the magnetic tape; a write signal generator circuit configured to output a signal for writing a servo signal to the servo write head; a supply device configured to supply the magnetic tape from a supply reel; a take-up device configured to take up the magnetic tape supplied from the supply reel onto a take-up reel; and a plurality of tape guides configured to guide the magnetic tape supplied from the supply reel to the servo write head and to the take-up reel, the plurality of tape guides including a first tape guide disposed to contact with the magnetic tape at a position directly upstream of the servo write head and a second tape guide disposed to contact with the magnetic tape at a position directly downstream of the servo write head, wherein each of the first and second tape guides includes a guide roller rotatably supported by an air bearing and having a diameter of 19 mm or greater, wherein each of the first and second tape guides further includes a roller support portion having an outer cylindrical surface, wherein the guide roller of each of the first and second tape guides includes a cylindrical portion of which an outer cylindrical surface provides a tape guide surface, and a clearance is provided between an inner cylindrical surface of the cylindrical portion of the guide roller and the outer cylindrical surface of the roller support portion, such that the cylindrical portion is rotatably supported by compressed air supplied into the clearance, and wherein the roller support portion is of a porous material, and the compressed air is supplied through the porous roller support portion into the clearance.