Sheet transport apparatus

A low inertia rotary drum (12) supports flexible sheets of different sizes for transport and processing. A plurality of sets of grooves is disposed on the surface of the drum. The grooves are configured in spaced rows and columns along the longitudinal and circumferential dimension of the drum. A plurality of holes (120) form unvavlved communicating ports in the slots. The holes interconnect the interior or the drum with the surface. The number of holes varies circumferentially and longitudinally. A vacuum having a low vacuum, high flow blower (28) is coupled to the interior of the drum. Sheets are loaded onto the drum so that a minimum number of holes are vented to the atmosphere, and unloaded by movable fingers which enter circumferential grooves (48).