Abstract: Magnetic head (51) having a contact face (59) for cooperation with a tape face (55a) of a magnetic tape (55). The magnetic head comprises a transducing structure having at least one transducing gap (57) terminating in the contact face. The contact face is provided with at least one cleaning groove for cleaning the tape face, which groove extends parallel to the transducing gap and has at least one wall portion (61a, 62a) oriented at least substantially transversely to the contact face and constituting a scraping edge (61b, 62b) at the contact face.

Abstract: Method in which a magnetic head unit is manufactured from a magnetic head and a support. The magnetic head is manufactured by providing a thin-film magnetic head structure with a ground conductor on an electrically conducting substrate. Before the magnetic head is secured to the support, an electrically insulating layer present on an outer side of the substrate is removed, whereafter an electrically conducting contact layer (39) is formed on the surface obtained. By securing the magnetic head to the support, the contact layer will be in contact with parts (43a, 43b) of the support for the purpose of grounding the support.

Abstract: A magnetic head has a contact face (2) for a magnetic tape which can be moved in a direction (V) along the face (2). A transfer gap (3) lies in a region (6) of the contact face (2), which is curved into a concave shape in the direction of movement (V). On either side of this region (6) there are located regions (7, 8) curved into a convex shape in the direction of movement (V). The contact face (2) is curved into a convex shape transverse to the direction of movement (V). Due to the shape of the contact face (2), an information carrier exerts only a low pressure on and near the transfer gap (3), as a result of which the degree of wear is low at this area and the life of the magnetic head is long.