# Paper Feed Mechanism

This mechanism feeds the paper fed from the intermediate feeding mechanism into the printer.
The paper feed mechanism is driven by the PF Motor's drive force. The drive force of the PF Motor is transmitted by the PF Timing Belt to the PF Roller. The drive force is then transmitted forward to the Ink system mechanism*¹ and EJ Roller.
The PF Encoder scans the PF Scale located beside the PF Roller Drive Gear, and the scanned results are used to control the drive force of the PF Motor to precisely control rotation of the PF Roller.

PF Motor's rotational direction and the operation of the paper feed mechanism

According to the rotational direction of the PF Motor, the PF Roller and EJ Roller rotate in the same direction.
When feeding paper, the paper feed mechanism and the intermediate feeding mechanism are driven to perform skew correction*^₂ and to feed paper up to the print start position.
The PF Roller and Intermediate Roller of EM-C8101 Series are driven separately by the dedicated drive motors. Therefore, so as not to apply too much back tension or front tension to the paper during loading and feeding, the mechanisms are driven by synchronizing the PF Motor and ASF Motor.

Driving by synchronizing the PF Motor and ASF Motor is called the synchronized drive, and performed when loading, feeding, and ejecting paper.

*1: For the details, see Ink System Mechanism.

*2: Appropriate skew correction type is determined from the following four types according to the print conditions.

• No skew correction: Loads paper as is without skew correction.
• Reverse and tap correction: Feeds paper by the Intermediate Roller in normal rotation and the PF Roller in reverse rotation, then after the paper has reached the PF roller, the above condition is kept for a specified time to warp the paper to correct the skew.
• Catch-and release skew correction: Once loads paper up to the PF roller, then stops the Intermediate Roller and reverses the PF roller to warp the paper to correct the skew.
• Tapping Method: Feeds paper by the forward rotation of the Intermediate Roller while the PF roller is stopped. Even after the paper reaches the PF roller and stops with the top edge pressed against the roller, the roller force is still applied to the paper for a predetermined time making the paper slightly arch to correct the paper skew.