Tape duplicating system

Abstract

A master tape moves between first supply and take-up reels over a pinch roller. A slave tape moves between second supply and take-up reels over a capstan. First and second guides are respectively constructed and positioned to regulate the movement of the master and slave tapes to aligned positions on the pinch roller and the capstan. A heater between the pinch roller and the second guide heats essentially only a thermomagnetic layer on the slave tape to at least the Curie temperature. The heater is adjustably positioned to facilitate the movement of the slave tape to the aligned position on the capstan. Brake shoes respectively between the first guide and the first supply reel, and between the second guide and the second supply reel, control master and slave tape tensions and damp any variations in tensions. The pinch roller is movable to a first position, locked in position relative to the capstan, to abut the capstan and facilitate the transfer of magnetic information from the master tape to the slave tape. In this disposition, the pinch roller locks the heater in a fixed position relative to the capstan. The pinch roller and the associated guide are movable to a second position displaced from the capstan to facilitate the disposition of the master tape on the pinch roller. The heater is pivotable relative to the capstan to facilitate the disposition of the slave tape on the capstan. The rotational axis of the capstan, preferably of a unitary construction, is fixed.