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to News RoomNewest Tape Format Utilizes Imation’s Proprietary Tera Angstrom™ Technology and
Patented Precision-Tracking “N Pattern” Servo Writing
Singapore (November 10, 2005) - Imation Corp (NYSE:
IMN), a worldwide leader in removable data storage media, today announced
that Sun Microsystems has selected Imation as a media manufacturer for
the new Sun StorageTek T10000 tape drive. Imation, the codeveloper for
the Sun StorageTek 9840 and 9940 enterprise tape products, was previously
announced as a codeveloper in the next-generation Sun StorageTek T10000
tape drive. Combining its Tera Angstrom™ technology, a proprietary
coating formulation and process enabling a terabyte-capacity tape product,
with its patented Precision-Tracking “N Pattern” Servo Writing
technology, an ultra-precise reference pattern enabling nanometer-level
tracking accuracy, Imation developed the T10000 media for scale-up at
its advanced tape manufacturing facility in Weatherford, Oklahoma, the
world’s first terabyte-class tape facility built specifically
for the development of next-generation tape products.
“We are pleased that Sun has selected Imation to manufacture the
newest Sun StorageTek T10000 tape product,” said Nancy Tan, Managing
Director, Imation South Asia Region. “As a company that has focused
on the advancement of tape technology and has manufactured tape products
to the most exacting quality standards for over 50 years, we remain
committed to developing next-generation tape solutions for our customers.
The T10000 marks the first-to-market application of our new ‘N
Pattern’ technology, which enables breakthrough track densities
required for capacities of a terabyte and beyond.”
Imation has focused on several unique technologies with the development
of this new platform, such as its “N Pattern” time-based
servo writing technology, which enables greater track densities required
for T10000 tape cartridges, 500 gigabytes and beyond. Combining Imation’s
proprietary Tera Angstrom technology, which delivers the smoothness
and uniformity necessary for the increased bit density required by multi-terabyte
tapes, with its unique new “N Pattern” servo writing, Imation
delivers a new level of performance for enterprise tape systems.
“The Sun StorageTek T10000 marks a new generation of tape technology
leadership for Sun and our partners,” said Nigel Dessau, vice
president and general manager of the Tape Business Unit, Data Management
Group, Sun Microsystems. “Customers trust us to deliver the highest
standards of reliability and performance in enterprise tape technology.
Partnering with world-class tape developers and manufacturers allows
us to continue to extend our industry-leading position and continue
to provide best-in-class tape drives and media for our global customers.”
Imation’s unique combination of technologies combined to enable
its Sun StorageTek T10000 cartridges include:
- Precision-Tracking ‘N Pattern’ Servo Writing: A patented servo writing technology that creates an ultra-precise reference pattern enabling nanometer-level tracking accuracy, critical for capacities of a terabyte and beyond. See white paper “Modified Time-Based Servo Enables Increased Track Density on Tape” at www.imation.com/about_imation/events/pdfs/Imation_TimeBasedServo.pdf for more information.
- Tera Ångstrom Technology: Unique manufacturing processes
consisting of:
- Impingement Process: High-pressure (>10,000 psi) impingement jets force particles against each other, blasting apart the clusters of magnetic particles and separating them into nanometer-size elements that enable magnetic layer uniformity — smaller particle size and more uniform distribution.
- Quiescent Drying Process: A delicate drying environment that utilizes low air velocity and magnetic coils for extremely precise particle orientation — eliminating coating disturbances and orienting the particles precisely to allow for maximum bit density and storage capacity.
- In-Line Calendaring Process: A series of rollers with an ultra-smooth finish that compress the tape surface to achieve surface smoothness measured in angstrom units. (An angstrom is equal to one tenth of a nanometer or a metric unit of length equal to one 10-billionth of a meter. One sheet of paper is approximately one million angstroms thick.) This surface smoothness and uniformity allows for increased bit and track density to deliver higher capacity cartridges.
- Secure Cartridge Construction: A special Vertical Spool Lock secures the tape spool internally to the cartridge during out-of-drive conditions and a patented hub design provides more reliable location of the cartridge hub to the true drive tape path. Both are key to the superior cartridge performance required in data center environments.
Data Storage History
From its origins as 3M's Data Storage Division to today, Imation has
been a worldwide leader in magnetic tape technology for more than 50
years with the introduction of the first data storage tape in 1953.
Today, Imation continues to be the leader of magnetic technology, offering
the broadest portfolio of removable data storage products across all
market segments, from computers, consumer electronics and small businesses
to products for servers, storage networks and enterprise systems.
About Imation
Imation Corp is a leading developer, manufacturer and supplier of magnetic
and optical removable data storage media.
Imation, the Imation logo and Tera Ångstrom are trademarks of Imation Corp. Sun, Sun Microsystems and Sun StorageTek are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and other countries.
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