Imation 3590E User Manual

Imation Black Watch

™

3590 and 3590E
Half-Inch Tape Cartridges

High-capacity tapes
for high-powered applications

• Established Leader—Co-developed with IBM, Imation has shipped over 15 million 3590 and

3590E cartridges.

• Servo-Writing Excellence—Servo-writing accuracy is crucial to ensuring proper tape tracking. Imation

developed the world's first servo-written tape cartridge—the 3590. Imation continues to lead
advancements in servo technology and has shipped nearly 30 million servo-written half-inch tape
cartridges (more than four times our nearest competitor).

• Imation Certified—Every single cartridge is tested to ensure uncompromising reliability and

out-of-the-box performance.

• Cleaning Cartridge—Magstar 3590 (Models “B”, “E” and “H”) drive compatible cleaning cartridge

provides up to 100 cleanings.

• World-Class Technical Service Organization—Imation tape technology experts partner with our customers to

optimize tape storage
system performance.

• Built to withstand exposure to real
world conditions—Imation’s superior

tape formulation and cartridge
construction ensure that Imation
media will perform properly even after
exposure to high or low temperatures
during transportation.

Commercializing the first computer tape was just the beginning

of our partnership with industry leaders like IBM. Backed by our
50-year history, Imation continues to meet the demands of data
centers by working in tandem with industry leaders. And it is our
reputation for dependability and superior technology that makes
Imation the most preferred removable storage media in the world.

Imation Media

IBM Drives 3590/“J” Cartridge 3590E (Extended 3590)/“K” Cartridge

3590 “B” Model 10GB Capacity (up to 30GB compressed) 20GB Capacity (60GB compressed)
(128 track) 9MB/s Transfer Rate* 9MB/s Transfer Rate*

3590 “E” Model 20GB Capacity (60GB compressed) 40GB Capacity (120GB compressed)
(256 track) 14MB/s Transfer Rate* 14MB/s Transfer Rate*

3590 “H” Model 30GB Capacity (90GBcompressed) 60GB Capacity (180GB compressed)
(384 track) 14MB/s Transfer Rate* 14MB/s Transfer Rate*

*Transfer rates depend on drive connectivity and are listed as native.

3590/3590E Cartridge Compatibility

Extreme Conditions

Performance Testing

Pass Rate

100.0% –

99.5% –

99.0% –

98.5% –

98.0% –

97.5% –

97.0% –

95.0% –
Imation Emtec

3590 Tape Cartridges

Performance measurement of 3590 cartridges after
exposure to extreme shipping and storage conditions.

99.7%

97.6%

Manufacturer’s Specifications for

Transportation Conditions

Temperature

140 –
130 –
120 –
110 –
100 –

90 –
80 –
70 –
60 –
50 –
40 –
30 –
20 –
10 –

0 –

- 10 –

- 20 –

Imation media is manufactured to a higher standard
for real world conditions. Cartridges that are en route
or transferred off-site can easily reach temperatures
of 100°F or more inside a truck.

120°F

(49°C)

-10°F

(-23°C)

89.6°F

(32°C)

39°F

(4°C)

Imation

Emtec