Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a coating portion configured to perform a coating process that forms a coating film on a recording sheet with an image formed thereon, a main transport path configured to transport the recording sheet with the image formed thereon and to have a branching portion formed thereon, and a sub transport path configured to be once branched from the main transport path at the branching portion and to be returned to the main transport path again. The coating portion is disposed on the sub transport path.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion that forms an image on a recording sheet, a transport path that transports the recording sheet with the image formed thereon by the image forming portion, a coating portion that performs a coating process that forms a coating film on the recording sheet that is being transported on the transport path, and a reading portion that reads a calibration chart on the recording sheet that is being transported on the transport path. The coating portion is disposed on the upstream side in a recording sheet transport direction of the reading portion on the transport path, a calibration process is performed for an image formed by the image forming portion, and the calibration chart is formed on the recording sheet by the image forming portion in order to perform the calibration process.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes: a paper feed unit; a print unit; a registration roller; a sheet leading end sensor provided downstream, in a transport direction of the recording paper, of the registration roller; a time measuring unit for measuring a time from a start point of transportation of the recording paper by the registration roller to a point of detection of the leading end of the recording paper by the sheet leading end sensor; a memory unit for storing a reference image forming time and a reference time; a print control unit; and an arithmetic unit for obtaining a difference between the reference time and the time detected by the time measuring unit. The print control unit adjusts the length of the image forming period in accordance with the adjusted image forming time determined based on the difference obtained by the arithmetic unit and the reference image forming time.

Abstract: Provided is a water-based lubricant comprising a hyperbranch-type polyglycerol having an absolute molecular weight of from 5,000 to 500,000. The water-based lubricant has a small friction coefficient and is excellent in lubrication performance and defoamability, as compared with conventional water-based lubricants comprising an ethylene/propylene oxide copolymer, and is favorable, for example, for a water-based metal processing agent and a hydraulic pressure fluid.

Abstract: A preform manufacture apparatus is provided which can produce a preform at low cost. A preform manufacture apparatus 1 has a first mold 20 which receives molten glass, and a second mold 50 which receives a molten glass block moved from the first mold 20. The first mold 20 has a receiving surface 20A which receives molten glass, and is dividable into two or more of split dies 30 and 40 at the receiving surface 20A.