1/2-Inch Reel-to-Reel Cipher Tape Drive Cleaning Process

1/2-Inch Reel-to-Reel Cipher Tape Drive Cleaning Process

A cleaning kit for the Cipher 880/890 can be purchased from Silicon Graphics. Contact your local sales representative for more information.

The components of the Cipher Tape Drive can be cleaned by placing the drive in the service access position. This is done by extending the unit fully on the mounting slides and opening the top plate casting. To assure safety in the open position, insert the cover stay pin (on the side of the top cover) in the hole in the chassis.

Caution: If the tape drive is located in a rack, be sure to extend the anti-tip legs at the base of the rack. The drive should be cleaned after every four hours of tape movement.

Follow the cleaning method for each part listed:

Tachometer roller

Use a swab moistened with Freon-TF. Gently wipe the entire roller surface. The roller can be rotated by manually turning the take-up hub slowly.

Take-up hub

Use a swab moistened with Freon-TF. Rotate the hub manually while gently wiping the tape-wrapping surface.

Roller guides

Use a swab moistened with Freon-TF. Rotate each roller and gently wipe the tape contact surface and flanges or washers.

Reel hub pads

Use a swab moistened with Freon-TF. Wipe the contact surface of each pad and remove any debris around the pad.

Head

Use a swab moistened with Freon-TF. Wipe the entire face of the head, paying particular attention to the recessed areas.

Caution: Rough or abrasive materials can scratch sensitive surfaces of the head, resulting in permanent damage. Other cleaners, such as alcohol-based types, can cause read/write errors.

Tape cleaner

Use a swab moistened with Freon-TF. Wipe each blade along its length. Remove accumulated oxides from the recessed area between the blades.

Front panel/door

Use a cloth moistened with mild, soapy water.

Top plate casting

Use a cloth moistened with mild soapy water. Wipe away the oxide dust in the tape path area. Be careful not to get dirt on the head, rollers, and other nearby parts.

Filter

Locate and remove the filter from inside the air duct opening at the lower left of the front panel. Clean the filter with low-pressure compressed air (or vacuum) in the opposite direction of airflow, and reinstall.