An image forming apparatus includes a stacking portion, a pickup roller, a motor, an image forming unit, and a controller. Upon receiving an instruction for starting a first image forming job, the controller performs an initial operation of supplying current to a motor winding of the motor in a stop state and determining a phase of the rotor based on the flowing current. Based on the determined phase, the controller supplies current to rotate the rotor from its stop state and holds the rotor at a first phase when the first job ends. Upon receiving start instructions for a second image forming job within a period until a predetermined time elapses from when the rotor is held at the first phase, the controller rotates the rotor without performing the initial operation. The controller stops supplying current to the winding if no instructions are not received for starting the second job.

A medium transport device includes a lower guide member, a processing tray, a feeding section, and a notch. The lower guide member supports a medium transported and guides the medium toward the processing tray. The processing tray includes an alignment member, and a plurality of media are stacked in the processing tray. The feeding section includes a paddle member having a rotation center between the processing tray and the lower guide member such that a rotation locus of a distal end intersects the lower guide member, and the feeding section is configured to feed the medium toward the alignment member. The lower guide member has a notch, and an upstream end of the notch in the transport direction is formed at a position inside the rotation locus in the lower guide member.

A thick document conveying device includes a paper pickup mechanism. The paper pickup mechanism has a pick roller base, a pick roller axle, a pick roller, a switching assembly, a first universal coupling, a driving mechanism, a second universal coupling, a bearing and a gear. The pick roller axle and the pick roller are located in the pick roller base. The switching assembly is located under the pick roller base. The first universal coupling is connected to the pick roller axle. The driving mechanism is sleeved on the first universal coupling. The second universal coupling is connected to the driving mechanism. The bearing is connected to the driving mechanism. The gear is connected to the bearing. As described above, both a thick document and a thin document can be adapted.

An agitator for agitating sheets of material passing through a sheet transport device that has upper and lower guide sections defining a sheet transport path therebetween. The agitator includes first and second sets of rollers each having a roller axis of rotation and a width, and the rollers are mounted to at least one holder such that the axes of rotation of the rollers are radially spaced from a line and such that rotating the at least one holder around the line causes the rollers to orbit around the line. At least one support supports the holder for rotation around the line, and the set of first rollers is spaced from the set of second rollers in the direction of the line by a distance greater than the width of the rollers. Also a sheet transport device including the agitator.

An agitator for agitating sheets of material passing through a sheet transport device that has upper and lower guide sections defining a sheet transport path therebetween. The agitator includes first and second sets of rollers each having a roller axis of rotation and a width, and the rollers are mounted to at least one holder such that the axes of rotation of the rollers are radially spaced from a line and such that rotating the at least one holder around the line causes the rollers to orbit around the line. At least one support supports the holder for rotation around the line, and the set of first rollers is spaced from the set of second rollers in the direction of the line by a distance greater than the width of the rollers. Also a sheet transport device including the agitator.

A drive transmission mechanism which transmits a rotational driving force to a roller to be shifted in directions of a rotational axis thereof is equipped with a rotary drive transmission member which is driven to rotate in a predetermined rotational direction, a holder which holds the roller in such a manner that the roller can slide freely in the rotational axis directions while rotating about the rotational axis, and a one-way clutch interposed between the rotary drive transmission member and the holder. The one-way clutch is configured to transmit a rotational driving force from the rotary drive transmission member to the holder, and also to permit the holder to rotate in the predetermined rotational direction relative to the rotary drive transmission member.

A drive transmission mechanism which transmits a rotational driving force to a roller to be shifted in directions of a rotational axis thereof is equipped with a rotary drive transmission member which is driven to rotate in a predetermined rotational direction, a holder which holds the roller in such a manner that the roller can slide freely in the rotational axis directions while rotating about the rotational axis, and a one-way clutch interposed between the rotary drive transmission member and the holder. The one-way clutch is configured to transmit a rotational driving force from the rotary drive transmission member to the holder, and also to permit the holder to rotate in the predetermined rotational direction relative to the rotary drive transmission member.

Systems and methods of threading a metal substrate on a rolling mill include receiving a coil of the metal substrate. The method also includes uncoiling the metal substrate from the coil while the coil and guiding the metal substrate to a work stand of the rolling mill with a threading system.

Systems and methods of threading a metal substrate on a rolling mill include receiving a coil of the metal substrate. The method also includes uncoiling the metal substrate from the coil while the coil and guiding the metal substrate to a work stand of the rolling mill with a threading system.

Systems and methods of threading a metal substrate on a rolling mill include receiving a coil of the metal substrate. The method also includes uncoiling the metal substrate from the coil while the coil and guiding the metal substrate to a work stand of the rolling mill with a threading system.