I. Why Storage Deserves a Rule
A woven tape is a flexible assembly of fibres, and those fibres exchange moisture with the air around them. Size, stiffness and surface condition all follow. The trouble caused by poor storage normally appears after the tape is running, which makes it expensive to trace back - so the store room is worth treating as part of the process.
Three effects matter most: dimensional change from moisture, ageing from heat and light, and permanent creasing from the way the tape is stacked.
II. Typical Warehouse Conditions
| Item | Practice | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | Ambient and stable, away from heat | Sustained heat and wide swings are what to avoid |
| Humidity | Dry and ventilated, kept off the floor | Fibres take up moisture, which changes size and tension |
| Light | Out of direct sun and strong UV | Long exposure affects the fibre surface |
| Contact | Away from oils, solvents, harsh cleaners | Contamination changes surface friction and permeability |
| Packaging | Original wrap kept until use | Once opened, use promptly and protect from dust |
Permissible ranges depend on the material, so follow the technical conditions supplied with the tape.
III. Packing and Stacking
- Lay reels flat: coils are best stored flat; standing them for long periods lets the lower layers deform.
- Do not stack weight on top: boxes carrying other spare parts can collapse and press creases into the tape.
- Never fold a formed loop: an endless tape that has been creased will not run true.
- First in, first out: separate stock by delivery date. Old corners of the store are the most common source of surprises.
IV. Transport and Goods-In Inspection
Two things to guard against in transit: moisture and crushing. At delivery, a short recorded check is enough:
- Is the outer packaging intact, dry and unbroken?
- Do specification and batch on the label match the order?
- Any pressure marks, creases or contamination on the tape surface?
- On jointed tapes, is the seam flat, with no lifting or opening?
- Log the delivery date and batch into stock records.
If something looks wrong, quarantine the item with its packaging and photographs before it is placed next to good stock.
V. Preparation Before the Tape Goes On
Give the tape a little time between the store and the machine:
- Condition it: if store and workshop differ noticeably in temperature, let the tape stand in the workshop first so it approaches the ambient condition.
- Re-inspect after unpacking: no creases, no contamination, permeability holes clear.
- Verify the specification: width, circumference and joint type as required by the machine - the same check that belongs to the mounting step.
- Register the use: batch and installation date into the equipment log, so a later wear complaint has something to compare against.
Conclusion
Storing and handling woven tapes is not difficult; what matters is treating them as parts with a condition rather than as rope in a corner. Keep them dry, dark, flat and in date, add two short checks - at goods-in and before installation - and most of the problems that only surface on the machine never appear at all. All figures should follow the supplier’s technical conditions and the machine manual.
This article’s information is sourced from the internet; data is for reference only.