This is how an Automatic Document Feeder works
An ADF printer can automatically process several pages (in different formats) using the automatic document feeder. Manual feeding and changing of document pages is no longer necessary with an ADF printer. One by one each page is drawn into the printer, processed and then returned to the filing system. The document pages are scanned by the ADF scanner using LED or laser technology. Scanning performance and resulution depend on the printer model and manufacturer and can differ significantly. The individual pages of the document are scanned and processed exactly in the order in which they were inserted into the automatic document feeder. Printers with an ADF are used in many households and companies.

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Multifunction Printers with ADF
These practical devices combine both an ADF scanner and an ADF printer. Multifunction ADF printers are mainly used in offices and have either 3 or 4 different functions. With a multifunction printer, users can print, scan, copy and fax. Most models have an easily accessible Automatic Document Feeder attached on top. The ADF can be adjusted to fit different paper formats in a few simple steps. Various ADF methods for simplex and duplex scanning, printing, copying and faxing are available for ADF printers, ADF scanners or ADF multifunction printers.
ADF Printer with Simplex Function
Depending on the printer model, purchase price and year of manufacturing, ADF printers work with different feeding processes. The ADF simplex version is well known and used with numerous devices. Each document page is drawn into the device individually and scanned by the ADF scanner. Using the simplex process, the ADF printer only scans the front or back side of a sheet, the other side is not processed. Devices with simplex function are mainly used in households and cost less than ADF scanners with DADF or RADF.
Automatic Document Feeder - DADF and RADF
A duplex automatic document feeder (DADF) is a further development of the ADF. In contrast to a ADF printer (simplex), a DADF printer not only scans the front or back side of a sheet, but both sides of a document. This saves the user manual work, because with a simplex ADF scanner a document which needs to be dublex printed has to be turned around manually. Due to turning the document falsely it often ends up beeing printed upside down on one side or, even worse, both sids end up being printed on the same page side. Depending on the manufacturer and printer model, the duplex technology is also refered to as reversing automatic document feeder (RADF). The duplex function can be activated or deactivated with all printers. However, some manufacturers do not use an extra name for duplex technology and use the general term automatic document feeder. Buyers should check the data sheet or manual of the ADF printer to make sure that the device provides the duplex method.
Advantages of Printers with Automatic Document Feeder
Regardless of whether it is a printer, a multifunction device or a scanner, an automatic document feeder always provides advantages for users. In comparison to manually scanning a document an ADF scanner, of cause, can scan a document much faster. The user not only saves a lot of time, the effort when scanning or copying multiple page documents is considerably less. When the ADF printer provides duplex scanning, the time-consuming manual turning of the original document is no longer necessary and the quality of the copies and scans is considerably higher. Displacements of text or images are less in comparison to simplex ADF printers, since the pages do not have to be turned manually. The duplex automatic document feeder is particularly practical when long emails, multi-page letters or faxes have to be digitized, faxed or printed on a regular basis. More and more companies and households use DADF multifunction devices.
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