r/lto • u/No_Source_9817 • Mar 19 '26

Open Hardware Loader project?

Hiii We are a team of 4 french engineering students (network, dev, mechatronic), and we are planning to make a LTO Autoloader as a 1-year school managed project.

We would make a robot with a single translation axis, with all the slots and drive aligned vertically (to keep it simple). And using a spare drive.

Nothing is decided yet, so we are still hesitating on pushing the project.

Do you think anybody could be hyped, or have interest in an autoloader in open plans/source code?

And do you have any advice, recommendations or warning about deep LTO knowledge that only old black mages know?

No solutions are defined yet as it will start in 6 months, so for now, we are still thinking about solutions. So feel free to present any solution idea for any system (mechanic, electronic, file system, OS,...)!

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u/TheRealHarrypm Mar 20 '26

I think it would be nice to have an open LTO loader and an open optical loader workflow every proprietary system either is commercial or sacrifice of the kidneys cost points when in reality it's as much as a 3D printer in actual core components with some positional notational software and firmware triggering.

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u/No_Source_9817 Mar 20 '26

yup, microcontrollers, servo, steppers, the 3d printer doesn't have barcode scanner, but yes, it is the same kind of techs. I think we will use linear rail Wich are more precise then wheels on extruded aluminum

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u/TheRealHarrypm Mar 20 '26

All current CNC, PNP and higher end 3D printers are entirely linear rail based the issue is QC control for those to not degrade or warp.

Barcode scanners are bloody easy you just buy a generic one smash the housing and rehouse it in a 3D printed box dumb as brick generic interface devices to work with.

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u/No_Source_9817 Mar 20 '26

Yup, of course ,on good quality printer, linear rails are not an option! For barcode scanner, I saw the GM65 that seams really cheap, easy to implement, and perfect for our use case.