Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed with a continuous straw forming process for spiral winding boron-coated foil into a rounded tube or cylinder with an overlap and tight contact between the spiral edges, and a welding process utilizing a high precision fiber laser to weld the spiral seem forming a straw tube.

Abstract: A tape cartridge and cartridge drive system for controlling the compatibility of first and second tape cartridges having the same form factor in first and second tape drives. The system permits backward compatibility of the first tape cartridge in the second tape drive, while prohibiting the second tape cartridge from being used in the first tape drive. The second tape cartridge includes a tab projecting distally from a recess. The tab is positioned to contact the door actuator surface on the first tape drive so as to prevent insertion of the second tape cartridge into the first tape drive. The tab defines a cross-sectional area perpendicular to the insertion direction smaller than a gap in the door actuator assembly of the second tape drive to permit the second tape cartridge to be inserted into the second tape drive, whereby the second tape cartridge is compatible only with the second tape drive.