Abstract
A simulation study of the deformation of magnetic tape above the VTR drum using FEM has been carried out to investigate the tape flying characteristics. Reynolds' equation and the deformation equations of the tape are solved, taking into account the in-plane stress (i.e., geometrical nonlinearity). The validity of this simulation is checked by comparison with the experimental data. The following results are obtained by this simulation: 1) The flow of lubricant air from head window causes the tape to dip. 2) The dip enlarges above the rear of the window. 3) The dip becomes deep and long with increase of the length of the head window.
