Abstract: A head guide assembly of a tape device includes a beam for securely mounting a tape head thereon, wherein the tape head is accurately aligned and mounted so as to have both an improved resonance response as well as isolation from external shock or vibrations. A head guide support, made from a super gusseted material, supports the beam and tape head wherein the beam is mounted on a brass base for reducing resonances. The brass base is coupled to the head guide support via a kingpin and wedge clamps for locking the tape head in alignment without affecting the alignment. Additional resonances in a direction of a pitch of the tape head is reduced by further connecting the brass base to the head guide support without distorting the aligned position of the brass base. Shock mounts are provided for floating the head guide assembly from a base of the tape device.

Abstract: A linear actuator for positioning a print assembly parallel to a line on which characters are being printed is disclosed. The linear actuator includes a three-sided open structure magnetic circuit fabricated from rectangular pieces of slab magnets positioned about a central return path. The print assembly is seated on the open side of said linear actuator. Cooling for the actuator is achieved by pulling air in a direction perpendicular to the direction of motion of said print assembly.