Abstract: This is an alignment system where precise alignment of a reproducible image is obtained with respect to the paper. An imaged paper to be reproduced is placed on a light table having a right angle fitting or marking. The paper is placed on top of the light table and is aligned with this right angle marking. A transparent platen with marked scales is placed over the imaged paper and also aligned with the right angle fitting. The scales are placed over the corners of the image and image corner location readings are taken from the scales. These readings are then entered and fixed into a marking system such as an electrophotographic printer for reproduction of copies from the aligned and fixed original image.

Abstract: When jam occurs in one of a tandem conveyance path and bypass conveyance path, a sheet is automatically discharged from the conveyance path where no jam has occurred. A sheet retained at the upstream side with respect to a first fixing device in a sheet conveying direction is automatically discharged to the outside of an image forming apparatus by using the conveyance path where no jam has occurred. After the automatic discharging of the sheet is completed, a user is prompted to remove the jammed sheet.

Abstract: An image forming device having a detection assembly that detects a detection target. The detection assembly includes an actuator having a shaft rotatable about its axis, an abutment portion extending from the shaft and pivotally movable upon abutment of the detection target, and a detected portion pivotally movable about the axis. A detection board is supported to a stationary base component and includes a detection unit for detecting the detected portion. The shaft has one end portion supported to the base component, and another end portion supported to the detection board. Relative positional relationship between the actuator and the detection unit is maintained by the direct supporting manner of the shaft by the detection board.

Abstract: A sheet transport device and an image forming apparatus that includes the sheet transport device. The sheet transport device includes a reverse-transport roller, at least one roller guide, and a shaft. The reverse-transport roller is provided to a diverging point of a sheet reversing portion from which a recording medium enters or exits and is configured to transport the recording medium to the sheet reversing portion. At least one roller guide is provided in a vicinity of an end face of at least one side of the reverse-transport roller and is configured to prevent the reverse-transport roller from contacting the recording medium when reversing the recording medium. The reverse-transport roller and the roller guide are disposed on the shaft. Friction of a peripheral surface of the roller guide is configured to be substantially less than that of the recording medium.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus of the present invention, when performing one-side printing during a predetermined period after two-side printing, a change in a carrying velocity of a post-process apparatus is prevented and thus recording paper having passed through a fixing section is carried and output at a velocity that is lower than a velocity for normal one-side printing and that is identical with a velocity for two-side printing. Consequently, it is possible to prevent dropping of productivity of the image forming system due to a time necessary for changing the carrying velocity of the post-process apparatus and to increase an operating ratio of the image forming system, even if the post-process apparatus is designed to completely stop the carrying roller etc. when changing the carrying velocity.

Abstract: A sheet humidifying device includes a pair of humidifying rollers which form a nip portion by pressure contacting against each other and giving water to a sheet passing through the nip portion, a water-supply roller that pressure contacts the humidifying roller and supplies water to the humidifying roller, a water vessel that stores water to be supplied to the water-supply roller, and a pressure-contact releasing section that releases pressure-contact of the pair of humidifying rollers and releases pressure-contact between the humidifying roller and the water-supplying roller.

Abstract: This is a take-up roller assembly that is connected to paper exiting a scanner and collects this exiting paper. The take-up roller assembly is moved by movement of paper entering the scanner together with a paper pulling structure that is located in the scanner. This take-up roller assembly is uniquely suitable for use in a wide format imaging system that uses a scanner.

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 variable cutoff printing press is provided that includes a plate cylinder, a first blanket cylinder including a first circumferential section movable with respect to a second circumferential section, and a second blanket cylinder including a third circumferential section movable with respect to a fourth circumferential section. The first, second, third and fourth circumferential sections contact the plate cylinder during a printing mode and print continuous images having a cutoff length on a web. A method of printing is also provided.

Abstract: An image forming system including: an image reading portion, which reads an image on an original; an image forming portion, which forms an image on a sheet; and a storage device, which stores an original before the image reading portion reads an image thereon and a sheet before the image forming portion forms an image thereon, the storage device being detachably mounted to the image forming system.