State-of-the-art tape management with AutoStore
Solution Guides
Our facility at White Hart Triangle utilises AutoStore, a robotic, high-density “goods-to-person” storage system. This advanced technology is designed to maximise speed and efficiency while providing the highest levels of security and safety for your tape media.
Key system specifications
The AutoStore grid is housed within a dedicated, climate-controlled environment to ensure long-term media integrity.
Site capacity: 1.8 million LTO tapes 22,500 bin locations.
Fire proofing: Oxygen reduced enviroment operating at a level of 12.4%.
Temp & Humidity: 18–24°C and 45–55% RH.
No. of robots: 14.
Robot weight: 156 kg.
Processing ports: 5.
Operating speed: 3.1 m/s or 11 km/h Bins are lifted at 1.6 m/s.
Bin dimensions: 220 mm deep x 600 mm long x 400 mm wide.
Bin weight capacity: 30 kg (up to 80 LTO tapes)
Unmatched safety and sustainability
Our solution prioritises the protection of your data through innovative engineering and energy-efficient operations.
- Fire prevention: The grid operates in an oxygen-reduced environment (12.4%), similar to conditions at the peak of the Matterhorn. Since fire requires at least 16% oxygen to burn, this environment effectively eliminates the risk of combustion.
- Temperature and humidity controls: Controls are put in place to maintain a temperature range between 17°C–21°C and a relative humidity range between 45%–55%.
- Energy efficiency: The system is highly sustainable—10 robots consume the same energy as a single household vacuum cleaner.
- Optimal conditions: The grid is enclosed in 125 mm of insulated stonewall panelling to maintain strict temperature and humidity ranges.
- Dark operation: To further save energy, the system operates without lighting except during rare human intervention.
How the robotic system works
The AutoStore system automates the movement of media to streamline both routine and emergency requests.
- High-density storage: Bins are stacked 24 high within steel columns. Each bin can hold up to 80 LTO tapes, with a 30 kg capacity.
- Intelligent retrieval: Robots traverse the top of the grid on eight wheels, reaching down to retrieve bins using steel lifting platforms.
- Rapid delivery: On average, the system delivers a bin to an operator port within 3 minutes.
- Self-optimising: Frequently accessed bins stay at the top of the stacks, while less frequently accessed items move lower, reducing retrieval times for active media.