Abstract: Optical electrophotoconductor drums and electrophotoconductive tubes obtained via a direct chill metal casting apparatus for continuous or semi-continuous casting of metal (DC casting). In particular, casting of ingots of aluminum which provide the electrophotoconductive tubes that are subsequently coated to produce drums for copier and printers is presented. A gas-slip prepared surface of the tube results in a reduced and limited size and number of defects of an aluminum alloy material wherein the defects arise from a casting, subsequent extrusion, and subsequent drawing process. The defects arise primarily from either feather line lamination defects or from weld-line defects where the lamination defects are characterized by at least a slightly rougher surface and often a different chemical composition than that of the aluminum alloy at one point in the feather line lamination and where the weld-line defects occur in the extrusion process from contaminants present in either an aluminum casted ingot or log.

Abstract: A device and method for reducing noise and/or vibration in an image forming apparatus. In a preferred form, an insert is disposed inside of a photosensitive drum, and the insert is an elastic member having, in a relaxed state, an outer diameter larger than an inner diameter of the inner surface of the photosensitive drum. The elastic member is configured such that when it is elongated in a longitudinal direction, the outer diameter of the elastic member may be elastically reduced to a diameter equal to or less than the inner diameter of the photosensitive drum, and after insertion, the overall diameter of the insert can be increased such that the outer surface of the insert comes into contact with an inner surface of the drum. Alternately, the insert is compressed to allow insertion, and once inserted, projections on the insert hold the insert against the inner surface of the drum.

Abstract: A device and method for reducing noise and/or vibration in an image forming apparatus. In a preferred form, an insert is disposed inside of a photosensitive drum, and the insert is an elastic member having, in a relaxed state, an outer diameter larger than an inner diameter of the inner surface of the photosensitive member. The elastic drum is configured such that when it is elongated in a longitudinal direction, the outer diameter of the elastic member may be elastically reduced to a diameter equal to or less than the inner diameter of the photosensitive drum, and after insertion, the overall diameter of the insert can be increased such that the outer surface of the insert comes into contact with an inner surface of the drum. Alternately, the insert is compressed to allow insertion, and once inserted, projections on the insert hold the insert against the inner surface of the drum.