Storage for 1/2" open reel tape

[Chuck Guzis]

On 4/5/19 4:15 PM, Grant Taylor via cctalk wrote:

> ACK
> 
> I'm getting the mental impression that it's somewhat like a spring form
> pan.  The latch opens and releases tension off of the strip that goes
> around the tape reel.  When it's latched, it cinches against it.  When
> it's unlatched, there's enough play to allow the tape reel to come out.
> 
> Am I remotely close?

You're very close--same idea.  When I get a chance, I'll do some
close-ups on the mechanism.   But same idea--the latch puts the band
under tension.  That works fine, so long as the structural integrity of
the band is maintained.  Failures commonly occur around the "holes"
punched in the vinyl, but I've seem some bands that are neatly split
down the middle.

> I wonder if some of this could be 3D printed.

I don't know--and I don't know if it would be economically feasible.  At
less than $6 for a poly "can" that completely encloses the tape, that's
a tough target.

The nutty thing is that I remember when CDC Sunnyvale went to the vinyl
band "hangers" in their facility rather than the wire "racks" that held
the reel and its acrylic case (tremendous variation there).  I recall
seeing dumpsters full of the acrylic cases.  Maybe somewhere there's a
landfill stuffed full with them...

I wonder how long it will be before no non-senior adult remembers CD
jewel cases.  I recall getting rid of several boxes of Plextor-type CD
caddies only a couple of decades ago.

--Chuck