Flexible media burnishing apparatus and method

An apparatus for burnishing media, the apparatus comprising:

• a first block with a media bearing surface having a plurality of channels and lands,
• wherein a media bearing surface of each of the lands is planar,
• wherein the channels and lands alternate in a direction of media travel,
• wherein each of the lands has at least one skiving edge along a width thereof, the width of each land extending orthogonally to the direction of media travel;
• a mechanism for inducing a wrap angle of the media relative to media bearing surfaces of at least some of the lands,
• wherein each induced wrap angle is in a range of about 0.1 to about 3 degrees;
• and
• a mechanism for removing accumulated debris from the channels.

A method for burnishing media, the method comprising:

• setting a wrap angle of a media relative to a media bearing surface of an apparatus,
• wherein the apparatus comprises:
• a first block with a media bearing surface having a plurality of channels and lands,
• wherein the channels and lands alternate in a direction of media travel,
• wherein a media facing surface of each of the lands is planar, wherein each of the lands has at least one skiving edge along a width thereof, the width of each land extending orthogonally to the direction of media travel;
• running the media over the first block in the direction of media travel;
• and
• removing accumulated debris from at least some of the channels.