Hi there,
This is Bogdan from Romania.
I'm a mechanical engineer - specialized in the industrial robotic field, 3D designer and modeler (from time to time and some projects I could make the functional prototype too).
I'm doing product design, industrial design, reverse engineering, ideation, etc.
I have over 15 years experience working on various systems/devices across multiple industries, from concept to launch.
1 - the design you showed is absolutely amazing :)
2 - is not necessary to sync the motors on each drive, as there will be a kinda difficult task (you will need a small computing module which to calculate the diameter difference and adjust continuously the rpm of each motor)
3 - usually this type of device works with slipping clutches (one motor pull the tape, the other one act like a soft brake and each motor have a slipping brake which allows the tapewheel to unwind...)
4 - the most important is the third motor - which needs to be a stepper (eventually a micro-stepping one) which to provide the constant speed of the tape (other ways will have a sound pitching)
5 - this third motor will be paired with the pressure roller, which in case of ffd/frw to depart and let the tape pass with high speed
For any more questions we could chat here.
Regards
Bogdan