Pressure roller

Capstan and pressure roller

Cassette compartment with capstan, pressure roller, tape and erase head

The pressure roller (engl. Pinch roller) is used to transport tape in tape recorders , video disk drives and Tonkassettenlaufwerken .

The pressure roller itself is not driven, but presses the magnetic tape against the capstan, a steel shaft driven by a motor with a flywheel for synchronism. This is also called capstan .

The pressure roller must be cleaned regularly and is subject to a certain amount of abrasion . The durability depends on the thickness of the rubber layer applied. Since the drive takes place via the capstan, the abrasion has no influence on the belt speed . A cotton swab moistened with 2-propanol is suitable for cleaning .

Individual evidence

1. ↑ http://www.palsite.com/pcat_pinch.html
2. ↑ http://vimeo.com/2238913 Maintenance instructions for Revox Studer devices (Flash video)