Abstract: An automated storage library having the ability to store and manipulate data storage elements in three dimensions. Data storage elements such as tape cartridges are stored in storage compartments separated by low-friction downward sloping sliding planes each capable of holding a plurality of data storage elements. The automated storage library further includes a magnetic picker apparatus having two electromagnetic coils. In one embodiment, the two coils are energized simultaneously with the first coil used to reposition an L-shaped flipper. This flipper raises a roller gate positioned at one end of a storage compartment to release a stored data storage element. The second electromagnetic coil supplements the gravitational pull on the data storage element by attracting a steel strip on the face of the data storage element and an associated coil carriage retrieves the data storage element from the compartment.

Abstract: Mill scale, iron ore, or taconite is utilized in a powder metallurgy process to form steel articles having approximately the same density as that of conventional rolled steel. Particulate iron is mixed with manganese, carbon, additional alloying ingredients, and a binder to form a particulate admixture. The particulate admixture is then compressed, preferably under extreme pressure until the density of the compressed particulate admixture is from about 0.2408 lbs/in.sup.3 (6.67 g/cm.sup.3) to about 0.2833 lbs/in.sup.3 (7.83 g/cm.sup.3), which corresponds to a density of from about 85% to about 100% of the density of conventional rolled steel. The resultant coherent mass is subjected to sintering and below fusion heating to form an alloyed article which can be swaged, rolled, drawn, or worked at elevated temperature to decrease the grain size of the alloyed article. The resultant end-product will preferably have a density of from about 0.2408 lbs/in.sup.3 (6.67 g/cm.sup.3) to about 0.2833 lbs/in.sup.3 (7.