METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING CYLINDRICAL MEMBER, COMPONENT FOR ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS EMPLOYING THE CYLINDRICAL MEMBER, AND CENTERLESS GRINDING DEVICE

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a high accuracy cylindrical member of a uniform small thickness required for various components of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus and a new centerless grinding method for manufacturing the same, to provide an electrophotographic photoreceptor using the cylindrical member as a substrate and a fixing roller for an electrophotographic apparatus using the cylindrical member as a core bar, and to provide an electrophotographic image forming apparatus with the electrophotographic photoreceptor and/or the fixing roller. SOLUTION: In a method for manufacturing the cylindrical member by using a centerless grinding device provided at least with a grinding wheel, a regulating wheel and a blade, a cylindrical material as a workpiece for a machining purpose and the grinding wheel are rotated under contact at different speeds in the opposite directions while supplying a grinding fluid to the external surface of the cylindrical material, and the surface of the cylindrical material is ground with the grinding wheel, wherein the grinding is carried out by allowing a liquid to exist inside the cylindrical material during at least the rotation of the cylindrical material. COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI