Abstract: A laser machining apparatus 1 includes: a laser head that is supported by a laser moving device so as to be movable in X, Y, and Z directions above a motor driven conveyor that transports a workpiece loaded thereon. The laser head includes protection glass for protecting a laser focusing lens; an ultraviolet irradiation device disposed beside the conveyor such that a laser light axis and an ultraviolet ray axis are parallel to each other; and a control device that controls the components of the laser machining apparatus so that the ultraviolet irradiation device radiates UV rays on the protection glass in a state in which a UV irradiation port faces a laser irradiation port of the laser head, thus cleaning the protection glass without removing it from the laser head.

Abstract: A fuel cell manufacturing method capable of easily forming an interconnector part electrically connecting adjacent unit cells in a planar array fuel cell is provided. The interconnector part (30) is formed through a local heating process of carbonizing a proton conductive resin by locally heating an electrolyte membrane (12). The local heating process includes: a first heating step of heating a part of the electrolyte membrane (12) to a temperature equal to or less than a first temperature at a first temperature increase rate or less; and a second heating step of heating the part of the electrolyte membrane (12) to a temperature equal to or greater than a second temperature higher than the first temperature at a temperature increase rate greater than the first temperature increase rate, after the first heating step.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a carbon fiber sheet, the method including a carbon fiber forming step of heating a resin sheet to a carbonization temperature at a heating rate of 15,000° C./sec or higher, thereby forming a carbon fiber from the resin sheet. In the carbon fiber forming step, the resin sheet is preferably irradiated with an energy ray having an output density of 130 W/mm2 or higher and an amount of irradiation energy of 0.05 J/mm2 or more.

Abstract: In the method for cleaning optical components by UV ashing according to the present embodiment, while supplying humidity-controlled humidified gas, ultraviolet rays are radiated to the surface of the protective glass to remove organic matters on the surface of the protective glass. Further, in the cleaning method of the present embodiment, the humidified gas is supplied so that the humidity in the laser head during cleaning becomes 30% to 90%.

Abstract: A method for bonding electrical conductors is provided that is capable of suppressing a power source capacity when assembling a stator having a specific structure. First, coil pieces 9 are arranged in contact with bonding portions of a slot coil 5 inserted in a slot of a stator iron core 2 via a metal paste. Subsequently, an electrical current is applied using a pair of electrodes 11A and 11B in the axial direction (upward and downward in the figures) of the slot coil 5 while contact portions 15 between the slot coil 5 and the coil pieces 9 are pressed in an axial direction of the slot coil 5. As a result, electricity flows in the axial direction the coil piece 9 (a direction of an arrow X in the figures).

Abstract: A laser machining apparatus 1 includes: a laser head that is supported by a laser moving device so as to be movable in X, Y, and Z directions above a motor driven conveyor that transports a workpiece loaded thereon. The laser head includes protection glass for protecting a laser focusing lens; an ultraviolet irradiation device disposed beside the conveyor such that a laser light axis and an ultraviolet ray axis are parallel to each other; and a control device that controls the components of the laser machining apparatus so that the ultraviolet irradiation device radiates UV rays on the protection glass in a state in which a UV irradiation port faces a laser irradiation port of the laser head, thus cleaning the protection glass without removing it from the laser head.

Abstract: Provided is a fuel cell capable of easily forming an interconnector part electrically connecting adjacent unit cells in a planar array fuel cell. In the fuel cell, an electrode layer on each of two surfaces of an electrolyte membrane is divided into a plurality of electrode regions by a dividing groove; a unit cell is constituted by a stacked structure including the electrolyte membrane, one electrode region on one surface of the electrolyte membrane, and one electrode region on the other surface thereof; and the plurality of the unit cells are connected in series by the interconnector part formed in the electrolyte membrane. The interconnector part is formed by heating and carbonizing a proton conductive resin in the electrolyte membrane. The proton conductive resin can be heated by laser beam irradiation.

Abstract: In the fuel cell, an electrode layer on each of two surfaces of an electrolyte membrane is divided into a plurality of electrode regions by a dividing groove; a unit cell is constituted by a stacked structure including the electrolyte membrane, one electrode region on one surface of the electrolyte membrane, and one electrode region on the other surface thereof; and a plurality of the unit cells are connected in series by the interconnector part formed in the electrolyte membrane. At least the electrode layer on the one surface includes a catalyst layer having catalytic activity and containing proton conductive resin; and a protection layer located between the catalyst layer and the electrolyte membrane, having electric conductivity and having a higher filling density of proton conductive resin than that of the catalyst layer. The interconnector part is covered with the protection layer on the one surface.

Abstract: In the method for cleaning optical components by UV ashing according to the present embodiment, while supplying humidity-controlled humidified gas, ultraviolet rays are radiated to the surface of the protective glass to remove organic matters on the surface of the protective glass. Further, in the cleaning method of the present embodiment, the humidified gas is supplied so that the humidity in the laser head during cleaning becomes 30% to 90%.

Abstract: A fuel cell manufacturing method capable of easily forming an interconnector part electrically connecting adjacent unit cells in a planar array fuel cell is provided. The interconnector part (30) is formed through a local heating process of carbonizing a proton conductive resin by locally heating an electrolyte membrane (12). The local heating process includes: a first heating step of heating a part of the electrolyte membrane (12) to a temperature equal to or less than a first temperature at a first temperature increase rate or less; and a second heating step of heating the part of the electrolyte membrane (12) to a temperature equal to or greater than a second temperature higher than the first temperature at a temperature increase rate greater than the first temperature increase rate, after the first heating step.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a carbon fiber sheet, the method including a carbon fiber forming step of heating a resin sheet to a carbonization temperature at a heating rate of 15,000° C./sec or higher, thereby forming a carbon fiber from the resin sheet. In the carbon fiber forming step, the resin sheet is preferably irradiated with an energy ray having an output density of 130 W/mm2 or higher and an amount of irradiation energy of 0.05 J/mm2 or more.

Abstract: Provided is a fuel cell capable of easily forming an interconnector part electrically connecting adjacent unit cells in a planar array fuel cell. In the fuel cell, an electrode layer on each of two surfaces of an electrolyte membrane is divided into a plurality of electrode regions by a dividing groove; a unit cell is constituted by a stacked structure including the electrolyte membrane, one electrode region on one surface of the electrolyte membrane, and one electrode region on the other surface thereof; and the plurality of the unit cells are connected in series by the interconnector part formed in the electrolyte membrane. The interconnector part is formed by heating and carbonizing a proton conductive resin in the electrolyte membrane. The proton conductive resin can be heated by laser beam irradiation.

Abstract: In the fuel cell, an electrode layer on each of two surfaces of an electrolyte membrane is divided into a plurality of electrode regions by a dividing groove; a unit cell is constituted by a stacked structure including the electrolyte membrane, one electrode region on one surface of the electrolyte membrane, and one electrode region on the other surface thereof; and a plurality of the unit cells are connected in series by the interconnector part formed in the electrolyte membrane. At least the electrode layer on the one surface includes a catalyst layer having catalytic activity and containing proton conductive resin; and a protection layer located between the catalyst layer and the electrolyte membrane, having electric conductivity and having a higher filling density of proton conductive resin than that of the catalyst layer. The interconnector part is covered with the protection layer on the one surface.

Abstract: To provide a method for producing a fuel cell membrane electrode assembly that can prevent the required catalyst layer from being removed, while suppressing damage to the electrolyte membrane. A method for producing a fuel cell membrane electrode assembly MEA includes: a step of bonding a polymer electrolyte membrane PEM and a first catalyst layer-including substrate GDE1; a step of making a cut CL so that the first catalyst layer-including substrate GDE bonded with the polymer electrolyte membrane PEM becomes a predetermined shape; a step of peeling an unwanted portion GDE12 of the first catalyst layer-including substrate GDE1 from the polymer electrolyte membrane PEM; a step of irradiating a laser beam LB2 penetrating the polymer electrolyte membrane PEM without penetrating the first catalyst layer-including substrate GDE1 onto the polymer electrolyte membrane PEM, and removing residue RD of the first catalyst layer-including substrate GDE1 adhering on the polymer electrolyte membrane PEM.

Abstract: A method for producing a fuel cell membrane electrode assembly includes: a step of bonding a polymer electrolyte membrane and a first catalyst layer-including substrate; a step of making a cut by way of a laser beam so that the first catalyst layer-including substrate bonded with the polymer electrolyte membrane becomes a predetermined shape; a step of peeling an unwanted portion of the first catalyst layer-including substrate from the polymer electrolyte membrane; and a step of forming a second catalyst layer on the other face of the polymer electrolyte membrane, and punching out the polymer electrolyte membrane and second catalyst layer so that the first catalyst layer-including substrate of the predetermined shape bonded on one face is surrounded, in which the laser beam has a wavelength that penetrates the polymer electrolyte membrane without penetrating the first catalyst layer-including substrate.

Abstract: A method for bonding electrical conductors is provided that is capable of suppressing a power source capacity when assembling a stator having a specific structure. First, coil pieces 9 are arranged in contact with bonding portions of a slot coil 5 inserted in a slot of a stator iron core 2 via a metal paste. Subsequently, an electrical current is applied using a pair of electrodes 11A and 11B in the axial direction (upward and downward in the figures) of the slot coil 5 while contact portions 15 between the slot coil 5 and the coil pieces 9 are pressed in an axial direction of the slot coil 5. As a result, electricity flows in the axial direction the coil piece 9 (a direction of an arrow X in the figures).

Abstract: A method for producing a fuel cell membrane electrode assembly includes: a step of bonding a polymer electrolyte membrane and a first catalyst layer-including substrate; a step of making a cut by way of a laser beam so that the first catalyst layer-including substrate bonded with the polymer electrolyte membrane becomes a predetermined shape; a step of peeling an unwanted portion of the first catalyst layer-including substrate from the polymer electrolyte membrane; and a step of forming a second catalyst layer on the other face of the polymer electrolyte membrane, and punching out the polymer electrolyte membrane and second catalyst layer so that the first catalyst layer-including substrate of the predetermined shape bonded on one face is surrounded, in which the laser beam has a wavelength that penetrates the polymer electrolyte membrane without penetrating the first catalyst layer-including substrate.

Abstract: To provide a method for producing a fuel cell membrane electrode assembly that can prevent the required catalyst layer from being removed, while suppressing damage to the electrolyte membrane. A method for producing a fuel cell membrane electrode assembly MEA includes: a step of bonding a polymer electrolyte membrane PEM and a first catalyst layer-including substrate GDE1; a step of making a cut CL so that the first catalyst layer-including substrate GDE bonded with the polymer electrolyte membrane PEM becomes a predetermined shape; a step of peeling an unwanted portion GDE12 of the first catalyst layer-including substrate GDE1 from the polymer electrolyte membrane PEM; a step of irradiating a laser beam LB2 penetrating the polymer electrolyte membrane PEM without penetrating the first catalyst layer-including substrate GDE1 onto the polymer electrolyte membrane PEM, and removing residue RD of the first catalyst layer-including substrate GDE1 adhering on the polymer electrolyte membrane PEM.

Abstract: A laser beam welding apparatus has a first laser oscillator for applying a laser beam to a right-hand automobile door, a second laser oscillator for applying a laser beam to a left-hand automobile door, and first through fourth laser beam path changing mechanisms for changing the laser beam path of the laser beam from the first laser oscillator in the event of a failure of the second laser oscillator, and changing the laser beam path of the laser beam from the second laser oscillator in the event of a failure of the first laser oscillator. Even when one of the laser beam oscillators fails to operate due to a malfunction, an overall welding line combined with the laser beam welding apparatus does not need to be shut down, and the laser beam welding apparatus can smoothly and efficiently weld the workpieces.

Abstract: Scanning welding heads are introduced through respective openings of a workpiece into the workpiece by respective welding robots. When a laser beam is emitted from a laser beam emitting device, the laser beam is applied to a beam splitter of one of the welding robots, which reflects about 50% of the energy of the laser beam and introduces the laser beam into a scanning welding head. The beam splitter passes the remaining 50% of the energy of the laser beam therethrough. The laser beam that has passed through the beam splitter is reflected by a totally reflecting mirror of another scanning welding head. The scanning welding heads apply the laser beam to respective regions in the workpiece to weld the workpiece.