Importance

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Abstract

A cartridge library (30) comprises at least one drive (60); a cartridge magazine (52); and, a transport mechanism (54) configured to transport the cartridge between the magazine and the drive. The transport mechanism (54) is configured to transport the cartridge between, e.g., cells of the magazine (52) and/or between the magazine (52) and the drive (60). The transport mechanism (54) comprises a robot (300) and a robot motive system. The robot comprises a robot carriage (308) and a robot tray (302). The robot carriage (308) carries or comprises cartridge engagement elements (310) configured to selectively engage and release the cartridge. The robot tray (302) facilitates linear motion of the robot carriage, the robot carriage being situated on a first side of the robot tray. The robot motive system comprises three robot motive subsystems (312, 360, 450) and a (robot) carriage motive subsystem (380). At least one of the robot motive subsystems and the carriage motive subsystem comprise hardware situated on a second side of the robot tray (302), the hardware extending from the second side of the robot tray in the second direction to an extent not substantially greater than the plank height. Locating the hardware of plural subsystems on the second side of the robot tray and within a volume defined by the robot tray and the plank height facilitate not only a transport mechanism, but also a compact and efficient library.

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