Automatic Document Feeder

An Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) is a feature found on many scanners, copiers, and multifunction printers that allows users to load a stack of pages and have them fed automatically, one page at a time, into the machine for scanning, copying, or faxing. This eliminates the need to manually place and scan each page on the glass platen, saving time and improving efficiency—especially when working with multi-page documents.

Some ADFs can handle single-sided scanning (simplex), while more advanced models offer duplex scanning, which captures both sides of a page in a single pass. ADFs vary in capacity, with some holding just a few sheets and others accommodating hundreds of pages, depending on the device.

By automating the page-feeding process, an ADF is especially useful in office environments where speed, accuracy, and productivity are important.

The Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) has its roots in office automation developments from the late 1970s and early 1980s, when businesses began seeking faster ways to digitize or duplicate multi-page documents.

Key historical points:

• Early Office Machines (1970s–1980s) – The first ADFs appeared on high-end photocopiers from companies like Xerox, Canon, and Ricoh. These early feeders were mechanical add-ons that could automatically lift and feed a single sheet onto the copier glass.
• Integration with Scanners (Late 1980s–1990s) – As flatbed scanners became common, manufacturers began integrating ADFs to streamline document digitization. This allowed offices to scan entire reports without manual page-by-page handling.
• Duplex ADF Development (1990s) – The next innovation was the Duplex ADF (sometimes called a RADF—Reversing Automatic Document Feeder), which could scan both sides of a page automatically, either by flipping the sheet or scanning both sides in one pass.
• Modern Advancements (2000s–Present) – ADFs have grown faster, quieter, and more precise, with higher capacities and better paper-handling to avoid jams. Many now integrate with networked systems for direct scan-to-email, cloud storage, or secure printing.