Abstract: A method of measuring and correcting the Young's Modulus inline to eliminate its impact on image length variation during print runtime. The method includes intentionally perturbing the nominal operating condition of the web printing system which is controlled by the double reflex printing controller. The perturbation creates misregistration in a control target printed image that is detectable by in-situ sensors, from which Young's Modulus is estimated. Specifically, the web tension before the print zone is set differently from the web tension in the print zone to create misregistration. The error is detected by the inline sensors, and it is used to calculate the actual Young's Modulus. The implementation of the method consists of measuring the Young's Modulus at various frequencies. The correct Young's Modulus in then incorporated into the double reflex printing algorithm.

Abstract: A first longitudinal registration correcting unit corrects a misalignment of a recording medium in its conveying direction. A lateral registration correcting unit corrects a misalignment of the recording medium in its width direction after the misalignment in the conveying direction is corrected by the first longitudinal registration correcting unit. A second longitudinal registration correcting unit corrects the misalignment of the recording medium in the conveying direction again after the misalignment in the width direction is corrected by the lateral registration correcting unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of reducing damage in a fixing section and printing a high-quality image on a sheet at low cost without reducing productivity. A sheet shifting mechanism is arranged upstream of a transfer roller and moves the sheet in a sheet lateral direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction. In order to change a position at which a sheet passes through a fixing roller, the sheet shifting mechanism is controlled for every conveyance of a predetermined number of sheets, whereby sheet movement in the sheet lateral direction is controlled. A correction amount for an error due to sheet shifting by the sheet shifting mechanism is stored for each of sheet shift positions. An image forming position in the sheet lateral direction of a photosensitive drum is shifted on the basis of the sheet shift position and the stored correction amount.

Abstract: The medium transport apparatus is provided with: a transport unit that transports a recording medium continuing in a direction, in the direction where the recording medium continues; a detection unit that detects a mark formed on the recording medium transported by the transport unit, by using a detection effective range smaller than a dimension of the mark in a direction crossing a transport direction of the recording medium; a positional relationship identification unit that identifies a relative positional relationship between the detection unit and the mark in the direction crossing the transport direction, from a detection result obtained by the detection unit; and a move unit that moves the detection unit in the direction crossing the transport direction, on the basis of the relative positional relationship identified by the positional relationship identification unit.

Abstract: A print device for registering a printable medium during a duplex printing process. The print device includes a controller, at least one leading edge sensor operably connected to the controller, the at least one leading edge sensor configured to detect a leading edge of a printable medium having a first and a second side when the first side is facing away from the at least one leading edge sensor, a coarse registration sensor operably connected to the controller, the coarse registration sensor configured to detect a leading edge of the printable medium when the second side of the printable medium is facing away from the at least one leading edge sensor, and at least one trail edge sensor operably connected to the controller, the at least one trail edge sensor configured to detect a trailing edge of the printable medium.

Abstract: A method of registering a print between print stages in a printing system is provided. The method comprises: printing a first part of a digital image on a substrate with a first print engine, wherein the first part of the digital image includes a plurality of reference features; scanning image content on the substrate as it is readied for the second print engine; determining the actual positions of the reference features; using the actual positions of the reference features to determine desired adjustments for the second part of the digital image; applying electronic registration according to the desired adjustments to modify image content of the second print to be aligned with content already on the substrate; and printing a second part of the digital image on the substrate.

Abstract: There is provided an image forming device that forms images on recording sheets. The image forming device includes a frame having an opening, a cover movable for opening and closing the opening, a drum unit, a belt unit and a pair of registration rollers. The drum unit is disposed in the frame and having plurality of photosensitive drums each defining an axis, the plurality of photosensitive drums being juxtaposed in line in a direction orthogonal to the axis. The belt unit is accommodated in the frame and having a plurality of rollers and an endless belt mounted over the plurality of rollers under tension, the endless belt having a first running part running in a sheet conveying direction and in direct confrontation with each of the photosensitive drums, the first running part extending in a first direction, the drum unit being movable in the first direction and accessible through the opening.

Abstract: A control section controls the rotation of a registration roller that corrects the skew of a sheet and conveys the sheet, and the rotation of a loop forming roller which forms a loop of the sheet, as well as the nipping and releasing of the nip of the loop forming roller: This control section controls so that the sheet with a loop formed between the registration roller and loop forming roller is conveyed downstream in the sheet conveyance direction, and the sheet is released from the nipping of the loop forming roller during the conveyance. This control section further controls so that the total number of rotations of the registration roller from the start of sheet conveyance till releasing of the sheet from nipping of the loop forming roller is kept at a prescribed total number of rotations preset in conformance to the paper type.

Abstract: In a beltless tandem-type image forming apparatus, a plurality of pairs of transfer rollers are placed side by side at intervals along a conveying direction of sheets. A control section independently conveys sheets in sequence through nip sections of respective pairs of transfer rollers driven by a driving section while sequentially transferring images formed by an imaging section onto the sheets. Conveying speeds of the respective pairs of transfer rollers controlled by the driving section are gradually decreased for every pair of transfer rollers from an upstream side toward a downstream side along a conveying direction of the sheets, and consequently, a driving period for driving the respective pairs of transfer rollers to convey each sheet is gradually increased for every pair of transfer rollers from the upstream side toward the downstream side along the conveying direction of the sheets.

Abstract: Apparatuses useful in printing and methods of mitigating media edge wear effects on fixing belts in printing are provided. An exemplary apparatus useful for printing onto media includes a first roll including a first surface; a second roll including a second surface; a fixing member including a third surface; a fixing belt supported on the first surface and second surface, the fixing belt including a surface forming a nip with the fixing member; a registration distribution system for translating the first roll, second roll, fixing member and fixing belt, as a unit, transversely with respect to a media travel path of media received at the nip; and a belt steering mechanism connected to the second roll for translating the fixing belt across the first surface of the first roll at the nip, transversely to the media travel path, while the registration distribution system translates the first roll, second roll, fixing member and fixing belt transversely to the media travel path.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an image forming unit forming an image on a recording paper, a registration roller transporting the recording paper to the image forming unit, a post-registration roller detection unit provided at a down stream side of the registration roller in a direction in which the recording paper is transported, the post-registration roller detection unit detecting the recording paper transported by the registration roller and a control unit adjusting a timing in which the image forming unit forms the image on the recording paper based on a timing at which the post-registration roller detection unit detects the recording paper.

Abstract: One embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus in which registration rollers are arranged immediately before an electrostatic latent bearing member and, after a carried paper is caused to temporarily stop by the registration rollers, carrying of the paper recommences with a timing enabling a leading edge of image information visualized on the electrostatic latent bearing member and a leading edge of the paper that has been stopped by the registration rollers to correspond, wherein, at a time of successive printing of multiple sheets, a carrying recommencement timing of an immediately subsequent paper is determined using information of a carrying recommencement timing of an immediately preceding carried paper.

Abstract: A sheet is fed to a registration roller pair by a separation-feeding unit formed by a sheet feeding roller and a separation portion, and is caused to abut a nip portion of the registration roller pair at rest to form a loop in the sheet. Then, when the registration roller pair rotates at a predetermined timing to convey the sheet, a pressurization plate is raised again to bring the sheet into press contact with the sheet feeding roller to thereby impart a conveyance force to the sheet, making it possible to feed the sheet reliably to the registration roller pair.

Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus which detects an end part position of a sheet in a sheet width direction orthogonal to a conveying direction of the sheet conveyed on a sheet conveying path, comprising a plurality of sensor portions; a holding portion which holds the plurality of sensor portions; a plurality of aperture stops which is disposed between the light emitting portions and the light receiving portions and which is provided on the holding portion; and a driving portion which causes a movement of the holding portion in the sheet width direction.

Abstract: A color registration apparatus that independently forms images of predetermined respective colors and compensates a mis-registration between the overlapped images of respective colors employed in an image forming apparatus of forming a color image by overlapping the images of respective colors, includes a detecting unit to detect a contour form and positional information of respective color patterns formed on an image transfer path by the image forming apparatus proportional to a corresponding format of a printing medium where the color image will be transferred, and a controller to compensate a mis-registration between the overlapped images of respective colors through based on data detected by the detecting unit.

Abstract: In a color marking assembly, a series or plurality of ROS-imaging station units are aligned above an endless image transfer belt. Since there are a plurality of units, image alignment between the several station units is important. To accomplish this, skewing of each of the stations is necessary. The present invention involves a fixed ROS unit and a movable or skewable imaging station. This imaging station is movable on at least three spheres, one sphere below the imaging station and on its inboard side, the other spheres are located on a track below the imaging station and on its outboard side. This arrangement reduces vibration of these stations while at the same time providing an easily skewable xerographic imaging station.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes first and second image bearing members on which toner images are to be formed, a conveying member, and a conveying member position index detecting device for detecting a conveying member position index provided on the conveying member. The apparatus also includes an image bearing member position index detecting device for detecting image bearing member position indices provided on the second image bearing member, an adjusting device for adjusting a rotational speed of the second image bearing member, and a controller for controlling the adjusting device so as to adjust a position of an image bearing member position index correspondingly to the conveying member position index, on the basis of detection results of the conveying member position index detecting device and the image bearing member position index detecting device.

Abstract: A method enables a printing system to register images printed by two printers accurately. The method includes operating at least one marking station in a first printer with reference to a low frequency component and a high frequency of a velocity measurement for a web in the first printer, printing fiducial marks on the web with a marking station in the first printer, detecting the fiducial marks with a fiducial mark sensor in a second printer, generating a velocity measurement for the web as the web moves along a web path in the second printer that corresponds with the detected fiducial marks, and operating at least one marking station in the second printer with reference to a low frequency component and a high frequency component of the velocity measurement of the web moving along a web path in the second printer.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus having a registration roller that aligns the leading edge of the sheet and feeds it to the image forming section, a plurality of loop forming rollers that convey the sheet, and a loop forming space for forming a loop in the sheet are placed on the upstream side of the registration roller, and a plurality of loop amount detecting sensors that detect the amount of loop are provided, and the image forming apparatus has the feature that it is provided with a mechanism and a control device for varying the rotational speeds of said plurality of loop forming rollers individually and separately, wherein the loop amounts in a cross-section of the sheet along the sub-scanning direction are adjusted to be at a prescribed value.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus can form a high-quality image without a toner image being rubbed with and transferred onto a sheet.

Abstract: An image forming system, according to the present invention can include a forming device for forming an image based on printing data, an obtaining device for obtaining an image-formable range specific to the forming device, a determination circuit for determinating if the image based on printing data fits within the image-formable range, and an adjusting circuit for adjusting at least one of a position and a size of the image in accordance with the image-formable range, when the determination circuit determines that the image does not fit within the image-formable range.

Abstract: A system and method for avoiding paper jams and possible shutdown in an image forming device by automatically executing a series of re-feed cycles for a sheet of image receiving media in a multi pass image forming device. The sheet transport section of the image forming device includes a hold section and a sensor associated with the hold section to provide input to a control unit to execute one or more re-feed cycles based on a failure to sense a sheet of image receiving media in the hold section at an appropriate time in operation of the image forming device. The control unit also controls a hold duration for the sheet of image receiving media at the hold section to synchronize a final feed of the sheet of image receiving media with the operation of the marker unit in the image forming device.

Abstract: The adjustment method aligns printing engines in a print assembly that is capable of printing on a receiver to form one or more final prints and includes corrections for cross-track misregistration. These adjustments are made in one embodiment by aligning two or more printing engines in an x and y direction relative to a receiver reference and then aligning each printing engines in a cross track direction (z direction) relative to the receiver reference based on measurements in the cross track direction (z direction).

Abstract: When an instruction reception section receives an image forming instruction from an operator, a detector detects an toner image forming unit which performs an image forming operation in connection with the operator's instruction. A mode determining section determines which one of an image formation preceding mode or a sheet conveyance preceding mode is set for the toner image forming unit detected by the detector, and a drive controller controls drivings of the sheet conveying section and the image forming section according to the determined mode.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a sheet-feeder for feeding a recording sheet from a sheet cassette. Image forming devices are provided for forming a toner image. An image bearer bears a toner image formed by the image forming devices; and a transferring device transfers the toner image on the image bearer to a recording sheet. A sheet amount detector detects the amount of recording sheets in the cassette. A mode controller allows the image forming devices to start their operations before the sheet feeding section conveys a recording sheet when the amount of recording sheets detected by the sheet amount detector exceeds a predetermined reference amount, and allows the image forming devices to start their operations after the sheet-feeding section conveys the recording sheet when the amount of recording sheets detected by the sheet amount detector is smaller than the reference amount.

Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus which conveys a recording sheet fed from a sheet feeding section toward a transfer position with controlled timing, including: a pair of registration rollers; a pair of loop rollers to form a loop of the recording sheet, the loop rollers being disposed upstream of the registration rollers in a sheet feeding direction; and a movable conveying unit configured such that the registration rollers and the loop rollers move as a unified body when correcting at least a lateral misalignment, which is a misalignment in a vertical direction to the sheet feeding direction, and inclination of the recording sheet.

Abstract: A method and system for printing image documents using a variety of toners where some toners using a multi-development station having two or more development stations. These toners are co-printed prior to fixing, on the receiver by the multi-development station.

Abstract: Sheet registration method and system includes transporting a sheet including a leading edge and a trailing edge between a first and second sensor. The first and second sensors each have a linear sensing area with a longitudinal axis aligned at a non-zero angle to each other. The first and second sensors are adapted to identify positions of the leading edge and the trailing edge. An alignment of the sheet is adjusted responsive to a sheet length determined using the output from the first and second sensors.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a pre-transfer conveying portion that conveys a recording medium, an image bearing member that moves while bearing a toner image, a conveying belt that attracts the recording medium conveyed from the pre-transfer conveying portion and conveys the recording medium at the same speed as the image bearing member, a detecting portion that detects the recording medium attracted to the conveying belt, and a control unit that controls the speed at which the pre-transfer conveying portion conveys the recording medium. On the basis of the detection of the recording medium, the control unit changes the speed of the pre-transfer conveying portion from a speed slower than the speed of the conveying belt to a speed equal to or faster than the speed of the conveying belt, and thereby causes the leading edges of the toner image and the recording medium to coincide.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium within a predetermined width for image formation, a deviation amount obtaining unit that obtains an amount of a deviation formed on a recording sheet by the image forming unit, a correcting unit that corrects image data of an image to be formed by the image forming unit, on the basis of the obtained amount of a deviation, a deficiency amount calculating unit that calculates an amount of a deficiency of an image which occurs in an area beyond the predetermined width for image formation as a result of the correction by the correcting unit, and the correcting unit is further configured to correct image data of an image to be formed by the image forming unit, on the basis of the calculated amount of a deficiency.

Abstract: If a velocity calculated by a velocity calculating unit deviates from a normal range, a target velocity is used as a feedback amount, an actuation amount corresponding to a deviation Ve=0 between the feedback amount Vf=Vt and the target velocity Vt is calculated, and a driving power corresponding to this actuation amount is supplied to a motor. A conveyor belt can be driven stably without causing irregularity in a speed of the conveyor belt.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus including: an image bearing member bearing a toner image formed by an image forming portion; a transfer part transferring the toner image formed on the image bearing member onto a sheet; a separation/feeding part separating sheets stacked on a sheet stacking member and feeding the sheet while nipping the sheet; and a transport part transporting the sheet fed by the separation/feeding part to the transfer part, in which a transporting operation of the transport part is changed according to a length of the sheet to be transported in a transport direction of the sheet.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, which includes: an image forming section to form an image on a transfer sheet conveyed to the image forming section; an edge detecting sensor which detects an edge position of the transfer sheet in a main scanning direction while the transfer sheet is conveyed to the image forming section; and a controller which controls an image writing position at the image forming section based on a result of an edge position detection by the edge detecting sensor; wherein the edge detecting sensor comprises a plurality of light sources each having a different wavelength, and the controller comprises a light source controller which controls lighting of the plural light sources.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of always performing image registration adjustment with a high accuracy and realizing a higher image quality without lowering the productivity and deteriorating a cleaning member. A first conveying speed of a sheet being conveyed on a conveying path is changed to a second conveying speed at a predetermined position to thereby perform registration of an image on an image bearing member with the sheet, at a position of the image being transferred to the sheet. Detecting an registration-use image on the image bearing member causes a first reference signal to be generated, and detecting a top end of the sheet conveyed on the conveying path causes a second reference signal to be generated.

Abstract: A method for sensing a paper skew adapted for a device having a paper feeding mechanism is provided. The device has a feed sensor which is fixed at a start position of paper feeding; and, a position sensor which moves in a direction perpendicular to a direction of paper feeding and passes through a first and a second positions. The first position is the intersection of a moving path of the position sensor and a line. The feed sensor is on the line, and the line is parallel to the direction of paper feeding. The method includes the device having a first distance; moving the position sensor to the second position; feeding a work paper into the device; obtaining a second distance which is a moving distance of the work paper fed; and determining whether the work paper is skewed or not according to the difference between the first and the second distances.

Abstract: A method for sensing a paper skew adapted for a device having a paper feeding mechanism is provided. The device has a feed sensor which is fixed at a start position of paper feeding; and, a position sensor which moves in a direction perpendicular to a direction of paper feeding and passes through a first and a second positions. The first position is the intersection of a moving path of the position sensor and a line. The feed sensor is on the line, and the line is parallel to the direction of paper feeding. The method includes the device having a first distance; moving the position sensor to the second position; feeding a work paper into the device; obtaining a second distance which is a moving distance of the work paper fed; and determining whether the work paper is skewed or not according to the difference between the first and the second distances.

Abstract: The invention provides an image forming apparatus wherein, when forming an image on transfer sheet, the transfer sheet is shifted across the width immediately before transfer of the image onto transfer sheet based on the position of a toner image formed on an intermediate transfer member as an image carrier, and the misalignment across the width is adjusted, thereby ensuring high-speed and high-precision adjustment of the position of the image formed on a single side or both sides.

Abstract: In a method for control of an electrophotographic printer or copier, information that refer to a single sheet are determined from print data supplied to the printer or copier. Dependent on said information, a transport path of the single sheet through the printer or copier to generate at least one print image on at least one side of the sheet is determined. A system time of the printer or copier is provided that is the same for at least first and second control units of the printer or copier. At least one desired point in time at or until which at least one sensor signal is expected or at least one actuator is activated is established dependent on the transport path, the desired point in time referring to the system time of the printer or copier.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of reducing a part of a sheet exposed outside the apparatus on standby after finishing printing a first side in both-sided printing. A transfer material P having an image formed on its first side is fed until a part thereof gets exposed outside a full-color printer 1 and is fed to a refeeding path in the full-color printer 1. The transfer material P inverted by a flapper 44 is fed to a standby position to form an image on a second side thereof and is stopped there. In the case where a preparation for forming the image on the second side is not completed, the standby position for having the transfer material P stopped is changed corresponding to length of the inverted transfer material P in a feeding direction.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention provides an image forming unit including: a development unit that includes a development member; a photosensitive unit that includes a photosensitive member; a transfer unit that is disposed to face the photosensitive member; and an elastic member that is attached to the transfer unit and the development unit and urges the development unit toward the transfer unit to align the development unit and the photosensitive member with each other.

Abstract: A misregistration amount detector in a tandem image forming apparatus having a conveying body configured to convey paper on which a color image is to be printed is disclosed. The misregistration amount detector includes an image creating part configured to create, on the conveying body, a first pattern for detecting the amount of misregistration of an image position related to a first color relative to an image position related to a second color other than the first color and a second pattern for measuring the conveyance speed of the conveying body, the first pattern and the second pattern being side by side in the conveyance direction of the conveying body, and a reading part configured to read the first pattern and the second pattern created on the conveying body by the image creating part.

Abstract: An image forming device makes a sheet pass between first rotating member and separator in a pressed position, causes second rotating member pair to transport a sheet, transports the sheet from second rotating member pair with the sheet held between third rotating member and image carrier in a transfer position, transfers an image formed on image carrier onto the sheet, and suspends rotation of first rotating member when a portion of the sheet, which is distance L away from the sheet's rear end, passes the pressed position. Provided that length 1?(M+L) and length 2<(M+L) where M is a distance from the pressed position to the transfer position, when the sheet has length 2 in a transport direction, the device delays image formation start and/or advances sheet transport start, by a predetermined time period as compared to when the sheet has length 1 in the transport direction.

Abstract: A digital printing system employing tandem marking engines for duplex printing utilizing a variable dwell time in the output sheet inverter of the first marking engine to provide correct positioning of the leading edge of the inverted sheet for arrival at the entrance of the second marking to avoid the seam in the photoreceptor.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method of automatically controlling feeding and transporting print media sheets through plural electrostatic print engines having seamed photoreceptor belts for duplex printing. In one embodiment the second photoreceptor belt is driven at a variable speed to maintain a constant phase relationship between the respective seams of the belts. The print image magnification on the front side of the printed sheet is matched by varying the speed of the scanner (ROS) in the second engine. In another embodiment. the first and second photoreceptor belts are both driven at a constant speed and the seam phase allowed to float. Sensors provide a timing signal upon passage of the seam in each belt respectively; and, the position of the belt seams thus determined. The system then calculates a release time for each sheet from the feeder to insure the sheet avoids the seam on both belts.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for media registration setup, includes depositing developed image toner patch on a photoreceptor surface, such that the developed image patch overlaps two image panels on the photoreceptor surface. Performing toner image transfer on a media sheet in contact with the photoreceptor by applying electrostatic field to cause toner particles to migrate from the photoreceptor surface to the media. Following toner image transfer, the level of residual toner on the photoreceptor surfaces measured by sensors to determine alignment of a written lead edge and a target lead edge, the written lead edge corresponding to the lead edge of the media. The measurements are used to adjust the media registration setup such that the written lead edge corresponds to a given target lead edge.

Abstract: A method for sensing a paper skew adapted for a device having a paper feeding mechanism is provided. The device has a feed sensor which is fixed at a start position of paper feeding; and, a position sensor which moves in a direction perpendicular to a direction of paper feeding and passes through a first and a second positions. The first position is the intersection of a moving path of the position sensor and a line. The feed sensor is on the line, and the line is parallel to the direction of paper feeding. The method includes the device having a first distance; moving the position sensor to the second position; feeding a work paper into the device; obtaining a second distance which is a moving distance of the work paper fed; and determining whether the work paper is skewed or not according to the difference between the first and the second distances.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a transfer attitude correcting section for correcting a transfer attitude of the transfer sheet to receive the toner image and for conveying the corrected transfer sheet to the transfer section with a timing to match with the movement of the toner image. The transfer attitude correcting section includes a roller unit including a base board rotatable around a center of rotation and a registration roller mounted on the base board, a detecting section for detecting a position of the transfer sheet being conveyed by the registration roller; and a control section for control the roller unit based on detection data detected by the detecting section so as to correct a skew of the transfer sheet by rotating the base board and to correct a deviation of a transfer position of the transfer sheet by shifting the registration roller on the base board.

Abstract: Automated image on media registration and self-calibration using a built-in printing system duplex media path is enabled. The media sheet can be registered in a registration system and a calibration image can be placed on the media sheet after registration of the media. The media sheet can be inverted in the duplex media path and re-fed for detection of calibration image placement accuracy on the media sheet. The registration system can transmit the image registration placement data to a printer controller. Thereafter, the printer controller can adjust system settings to compensate for an image placement registration offset using a calibration algorithm. The invention enables system adjustments without requiring manual measurements or media transfer to an independent scanning device or adding complexity to printing systems.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, which is capable of correctly and accurately detecting a sheet leading edge position and carrying out image formation in appropriate image write timing, includes a detection device disposed at a reference position upstream from the transfer position and detects the recording medium being conveyed. A determining device determines image write timing for forming the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum based on a difference in position between a leading edge position of the recording medium detected by said detection device and the reference position. The detection device respectively include a plurality of light detecting pixels disposed in a recording medium conveying direction, and the leading edge position of the recording medium detected by the respective light detecting pixels.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming station for forming an image, a registration member, a registration motor, and a fixing unit. The registration member is configured to feed the recording medium in appropriate timing such that a recording medium is aligned with the toner image formed in the image forming station. The registration motor is configured to drive the registration member. The fixing unit is configured to fix the toner image on the recording medium and includes a rotary heating member to heat the recording medium, a rotary pressure member to contact and press against the heating member forming a fixing nip portion where the heating roller and the pressure roller meet, and a sheet separator to eject air to separate the recording medium from the rotary heating member based on a drive signal of the registration motor.