Using a device that is not limited to a minimum thickness or width-to-thickness ratio, a very thin metal tape or ribbon is formed into a continuous flat wound helical coil. The device imparts the desired circular shape by squeeze rolling it with an unequal force across its width

Bush, J. E.

Cole, P. T.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

May 1969	 Brief 69-10137 
NASA TECH BRIEF	
4p41 
NASA Tech Briefs are issued to summarize specific innovations derived from the U.S. space program, 
to encourage their commercial application. Copies are available to the public at 15 cents each 
from the Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical Information-, Springfield, Virginia 2215 1., 
ON
Helical Tape Forming Device 
Supply Reel ROLLER ASSEMBLY
Rollers Set To Impart 
Upper Roller	 Tape Unequal Force To Tape 
Adjustments 
I 
Metal Tape 
(Straight. Flat) 
Tape Guide	 Drive Motor 
Assembly 
Helical Tape ' 
Collecting Cylinder
Helical Tape 
When thin metal tapes are wound into helical coils 
by the edge forming technique, the inner edge of the 
tape tends to buckle and corrugate. As coil diameters 
are decreased or tape width increased, corrugation 
distortion increases. Successful use of this method is 
limited to relatively thick metal tapes with a small 
width-to-thickness ratio. 
A new technique has been developed which permits 
the forming of very thin metal tape or ribbon into a 
continuous flat wound helical coil. This technique fea- 
tures a device that is not limited to a minimum thick-
ness or width-to-thickness ratio. The forming device 
imparts the desired circular shape to the normally 
flat tape by squeeze rolling it with an unequal force 
across its width. The tape passes through two rollers 
so adjusted that they form an angle that squeezes one 
edge of the tape to a greater degree than the other. 
Thus the tape, as it leaves the rollers, assumes a cir-
cular form since one edge of it has been stretched 
linearly due to the greater roller force imposed on it.
Diameter of the helical coil so formed is determined 
by the amount of differential force applied across the 
tape's width. 
The forming rollers are of hardened steel ground to 
precise diameters. One roller is in a fixed position and 
is motor driven while the other is adjustable for con-
trolling the angle of engagement with the tape. 
Notes: 
1. No further documentation is available. 
2. Technical questions may be directed to: 
Technology Utilization Officer 
Goddard Space Flight Center 
Greenbelt, Maryland 20771 
Reference: B69-10137 
Patent status: 
No patent action is contemplated by NASA. 
Source: Pleasant T. Cole and James E. Bush 
(GSC- 10830) 
Category OS 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States
Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
will be free from privately owned rights.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19690000137 2020-03-16T17:58:27+00:00Z


Helical tape forming device

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