Abstract: A multilayer ceramic electronic component includes a component body, a first external electrode provided on a first end surface of the component body, and a second external electrode provided on a second end surface of the component body. An absolute value of a difference between a surface roughness of a first side surface and a surface roughness of a second side surface of the component body is smaller than an absolute value of a difference between a surface roughness of a first main surface and a surface roughness of a second main surface.

Abstract: An electronic component manufacturing method includes the steps of preparing at least one electronic component chip having a first surface and a second surface opposite each other; holding the electronic component chip between a first plate and a second plate such that the first surface is in contact with a first elastic layer of the first plate and the second surface is in contact with a second elastic layer of the second plate; and turning the electronic component chip by relatively moving the first and second plates in a planar direction thereof using a planar movement mechanism and moving the first and second plates in accordance with a turning path of the electronic component chip using the planar movement mechanism and a vertical movement mechanism.

Abstract: In an expanding device that can more effectively expand an adhesive tape in its wafer-attached region and can pick up components on the adhesive tape with high accuracy, a central first portion of an adhesive tape, including a portion with a wafer attached thereto, is laid on a top surface of a heating table, a non-heated ring is disposed to surround an outer peripheral edge of the heating table, a heat insulation is laid on an upper surface of the non-heated ring, a second portion of the adhesive tape located outwardly of the first portion thereof is located on or above the insulation, a third portion of the adhesive tape located outwardly of the second portion is held by a holder, and the holder is movable up and down relative to the heating table and the non-heated ring by a drive unit.

Abstract: An electronic component manufacturing apparatus includes a first plate and a second plate such that a first surface of an electronic component chip is in contact with a first elastic layer of the first plate and a second surface of the electronic component chip is in contact with a second elastic layer of the second plate. The electronic component manufacturing apparatus further includes a planar movement mechanism configured to relatively move the first and second plates in a planar direction thereof and a vertical movement mechanism configured to move, in conjunction with the planar movement mechanism, the first and second plates in accordance with a turning path of the electronic component chip.

Abstract: An electronic component manufacturing method includes the steps of preparing at least one electronic component chip having a first surface and a second surface opposite each other; holding the electronic component chip between a first plate and a second plate such that the first surface is in contact with a first elastic layer of the first plate and the second surface is in contact with a second elastic layer of the second plate; and turning the electronic component chip by relatively moving the first and second plates in a planar direction thereof using a planar movement mechanism and moving the first and second plates in accordance with a turning path of the electronic component chip using the planar movement mechanism and a vertical movement mechanism.

Abstract: An electronic component manufacturing method includes the steps of preparing at least one electronic component chip having a first surface and a second surface opposite each other; holding the electronic component chip between a first plate and a second plate such that the first surface is in contact with a first elastic layer of the first plate and the second surface is in contact with a second elastic layer of the second plate; and turning the electronic component chip by relatively moving the first and second plates in a planar direction thereof using a planar movement mechanism and moving the first and second plates in accordance with a turning path of the electronic component chip using the planar movement mechanism and a vertical movement mechanism.

Abstract: In order to suppress deviation of conductor films and to effectively remove voids when a laminate obtained by stacking a plurality of ceramic green sheets provided with the conductor films is pressed in the direction of stacking, a pressing step is divided into a preliminary pressing step and a main pressing step which is carried out subsequently thereto. In the preliminary pressing step, a temperature of at least 40.degree. C. is applied to the laminate of the plurality of ceramic green sheets by a heater, while a press head is driven toward the laminate, thereby applying a pressure of not more than 50 kgf/cm.sup.2 to the same. The preliminary pressing step may be further divided into first and second preliminary pressing steps. In the first preliminary pressing step, the laminate is pressed by a press surface having projections on regions corresponding to those provided with the conductor films, so that voids are removed from the regions provided with the conductor films.