The spindle tape is the only drive between the tin roller and the spindle. When it slips, the spindle slows — twist drops, thick and thin places appear, and end breakage follows. Because it happens gradually, slipping tape is easy to miss until the quality damage is done.
Signs of slipping
Spindles in one section running audibly slower than their neighbours, twist variation across the machine, a glazed or shiny tape surface, and black rubber dust around the tape path all point to slip. A stroboscope or tachometer reading confirms it in seconds.
Common causes
Stretched or aged tape that has lost its tension; oil or grease contamination on the tape or wharve; a worn, scored wharve that the tape cannot grip; incorrect tape tension setting; and a worn jockey pulley that no longer holds the tape path true.
Fixes from the shop floor
Replace stretched or contaminated tape — cleaning rarely restores proper grip. Check the wharve surface and the jockey pulley bearings at the same time, and reset tape tension to the machine maker’s figure. Replacing tapes section-wise keeps every spindle in the section running at the same speed. For the full drive picture, read jockey pulleys and spindle tapes.
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Frequently asked questions
How can spindle tape slipping be investigated?
Review the signs of slipping and the tape-drive components described in this guide. Check the operating condition of the tape and its tensioning arrangement.
What should be recorded before ordering tape-drive spares?
Record the machine, tape arrangement and the affected pulley or spindle part. Add photographs, relevant dimensions and the required quantity.