Abstract: A multistation cassette loading apparatus 10 loads a predetermined amount of blank or pre-recorded magnetic tape into cassettes 12. Cassettes to be loaded are oriented and positioned on a conveyor 16 by an automatic feed mechanism 14. A loading mechanism 18 transfers each cassette to the first station of a four station turntable 20. At the first station, the leader tape 320 of the cassette is extracted. At the second station, the leader is oriented in a splice block 24 and is held in place by vacuum. The leader tape is cut into two sections of equal length by a cutter 34. At the third station, one section of the leader tape is spliced to the end of a reel of supply tape 38 by a splicer 40. A measured amount of supply tape is wound into the cassette at a constant tension. A cushion of air blown around the reel of tape in the cassette during winding reduces frictional heating from tape drag. After the measured amount of tape is loaded into the cassette, the supply tape is cut by another cutter 46.

Abstract: Apparatus for loading tape onto the hub of a magnetic tape cartridge spool and including a tape supply for supplying a continuous strip of tape, a carriage for locating the cartridge at a first position, a hub drive for turning the spool to wind tape thereon, a tape cutter for cutting the length of tape from the continuous strip, a flyer carried by the hub drive for releasably holding the ends of the tape wound upon the hub, a tape supply arm for moving the lead end of the strip into contact with the flyer, for guiding the strip as it is wound onto the hub and for aligning and holding the strip relative to the cutter, a take-up loop arm for measuring out a selected loop length of the tail portion of the length of tape wound upon the hub, for holding the tape as it is cut by the cutter and for moving the tail end of the length into contact with the flyer and positioning it in abutting relationship with the lead end held thereby, a splicer for applying a segment of splicing tape across the abutted lead and tail