A drive-implemented method according to one embodiment includes determining that unthreading of a tape is to be performed, and in response to the determination that the unthreading of the tape is to be performed, determining whether to write an index on the tape prior to unthreading the tape. In response to a determination to write the index on the tape, the index is written on the tape prior to unthreading the tape. The tape is then unthreaded.

A head driving device includes an actuator assembly driving a head member in a width direction of tape. The head driving device includes a first end support beam, a second end support beam, a first skew driving piezoelectric unit, and a second skew driving piezoelectric unit. The first end support beam is arranged between a first end portion of the head member in a length direction and a base member. The second end support beam is arranged between a second end portion of the head member in the length direction and the base member. The first skew driving piezoelectric unit and the second skew driving piezoelectric unit drive the head member around the Z-axis.

A computer program product for positioning an actuator, according to one embodiment, includes a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith. The computer readable storage medium is not a transitory signal per se. The program instructions are executable by a processing circuit to cause the processing circuit to perform a method that includes generating or receiving, by the processing circuit, a first value representative of a lateral position of a tape, and using, by the processing circuit, the first value to adjust a position of a coarse actuator for moving a magnetic head in response to determining that the first value is in a first range relative to a first threshold. An integrator value is used by the processing circuit to adjust the position of the coarse actuator in response to determining that the first value is in a second range relative to the first threshold.

Provided is a magnetic tape device including: a magnetic head having a magnetic element that acts in proximity to a magnetic layer formed on a front surface of a magnetic tape; and a support member which is disposed at a position facing the magnetic head and against which a back surface of the magnetic tape provided on a side opposite to the front surface is pressed, in which the support member has a groove formed along a running direction of the magnetic tape only in a region corresponding to a non-acting region except for a region of the magnetic layer on which the magnetic element acts.

A head driving device includes an actuator assembly driving a head member in a width direction of tape. The head driving device includes a first end support beam, a second end support beam, a first skew driving piezoelectric unit, and a second skew driving piezoelectric unit. The first end support beam is arranged between a first end portion of the head member in a length direction and a base member. The second end support beam is arranged between a second end portion of the head member in the length direction and the base member. The first skew driving piezoelectric unit and the second skew driving piezoelectric unit drive the head member around the Z-axis.

A head driving device moving a head member relative to tape as a recording medium. The head driving device includes a base member including a first frame portion and a second frame portion, and a head supporting member supporting the head member. A first end support beam is arranged between a first end portion of the head member in a length direction and the base member, and a first skew driving piezoelectric unit including piezoelectric elements for driving the head member is arranged in the first end support beam.