Papierauswurf

Papierauswurf, or paper ejection, denotes the part of a printing or processing device where a finished sheet is expelled from the print area into an output tray or stacker. It is a key stage in printers, copiers, fax machines, and multifunction devices, and it often features one or more output paths, such as a front-output tray and a rear-output bin, as well as guides to align sheets.

In most devices the ejection is driven by rollers or belts that grab the trailing edge of the sheet and guide it along the exit path. Some designs use additional flip or curl mechanisms to place sheets face-up or face-down, and to separate multiple sheets in the output stack. Sensors detect when a sheet has completed ejection and when the tray is full or jammed.

Common issues involve jams, misfeeds, curling, or incomplete ejection where a sheet remains partially inside the device. Causes include incorrect paper type or size, humidity, worn rollers, foreign debris, or a misaligned output tray. Troubleshooting typically involves clearing jams, cleaning rollers, reseating media, and ensuring the output path is clear and properly configured for the loaded media.

The term is used across office equipment and industrial printers, and is closely related to the paper path, paper feed (Papierzufuhr), and output trays. Proper design and maintenance of the Papierauswurf influence printing reliability and user ergonomics.