Abstract: A flow lens element is obtained by integrally molding a resin layer on a glass member. A relief portion for preventing the resin material from adhering to an outer circumferential portion of the glass member is provided between the circumferential portion and an optical portion of the glass member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for molding optical elements in which peeling between a glass member and a resin layer and between a mold member and the resin layer will not occur while at the same time it is possible to accurately bring the central axis of the glass member and the central axis of the molding surface into alignment. This is accomplished by a first step of placing the glass member upon a support portion, a second step of positioning the glass member relative to the mold means when a resin material, which has been charged into a space defined by the molding surface and the surface of the glass member, exhibits a viscosity within a predetermined range, a third step of holding the glass member at a predetermined position until the resin material cures to a predetermined ratio of polymerization, and a fourth step of releasing the glass member from the held state after the resin material has cured to the predetermined ratio of polymerization.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus and a method for feeding articles, the apparatus containing a tape transporting apparatus, including a transporting member having plural containing portions in succession, a cover tape for covering the apertures of the containing portions of the transporting member, a first reel for simultaneously winding the transporting member and the cover tape, a second reel for winding the transporting member only, a third reel for winding the cover tape only, a drive assembly for rotating the first, second and third reels, intermittent drive unit for driving the transporting member, control unit for driving the drive assembly and intermittent drive unit, an aperture for loading or removing the articles into or from the containing portions of the transporting member, a first detector for detecting the presence or absence of the article in the containing portion, and a guide member for defining the position to an article assembling apparatus or an article manufacturing apparatus, wherein ea

Abstract: A plurality of mold members are disposed on an index table to be intermittently rotatably driven. Energy sources for curing the activation energy curable resin at positions to which the mold members are intermittently moved, a first robot for supplying a molding parent material to the mold member, a second robot for taking out an optical element after molding from the mold member, and a third robot for supplying the activation energy curable resin before supplying the molding parent material to the mold member are disposed proximate to the index table. The operations of each robot are performed together at each moved position of the mold member.

Abstract: A method of molding an optical element in which a required amount of a resin material can be accurately supplied without air bubbles becoming entrapped in the resin material when it is supplied. The method includes a first step of making a tip of resin material supply means approach a molding surface until the tip is a predetermined distance away from the molding surface, a second step of discharging a predetermined amount of the resin material from the tip of the supply means while the tip of the supply means is the predetermined distance away from the molding surface, and a third step of discharging the resin material from the tip at a predetermined discharge rate, until a required amount of the resin has been supplied, while the tip of the supply means is moved in a direction away from the molding surface as the lower end of the resin material discharged from the tip is maintained in contact with the molding surface.

Abstract: This invention relates to an article supplying tape formed with recess for containing articles therein in a tape-like or plate-like member, and supplying the articles to an automatic assembling machine or a working machine by the tape member, and the specification discloses a mold apparatus for forming the article containing recess in the tape, and particularly a mold apparatus for forming the shape of the recess variably in conformity with the shapes of the articles to be contained therein.

Abstract: A tape type work conveying method and apparatus conveys works placed in placing portions on a conveying tape to an opening surface portion, and causes a robot device to pick up or place works in synchronism with a parts assembling apparatus or a parts manufacturing apparatus. In the tape type work conveying apparatus, a cover tape is arranged to cover opening portions of the placing portions of the conveying tape.

Abstract: An article supplier is provided with a first elevator for supplying articles contained in a pallet to a robot, a second elevator for discharging an empty pallet, and a driving mechanism for seesaw-moving the first and second elevators with the pallet being moved to an article supply position and a discharge position for the empty pallet by the elevators. In addition, a plurality of detectors detect the positions of the elevators and the raising and lowering of the first and second elevators is based on signals from the detectors.

Abstract: An attitude reversing method for reversing up and down an attitude of an assembly consisting of a plurality of objects in the course of an assembling operation includes a setting step for setting first and second mounting surfaces of a jig for reversing operation, having at least the first and second mounting surfaces to a mounting position and a reversed position, respectively, a mounting step for mounting the assembly on the first mounting surface set at the mounting position, a superposing step for superposing the second mounting surface on the first mounting surface, and a reversing step for reversing the jig for reversing operation while maintaining the state in which the assembly is mounted on the first mounting surface and for setting the second mounting surface at the reversed position in a state in which the assembly is placed on the second mounting surface.

Abstract: An assembly (machining) apparatus and method for performing assembly or machining of an article. A first article supply device including a plurality of supply devices for supplying articles and a first robot for picking up the articles from the first article supply device to perform the assembly or machining are paired as an assembly unit, and a plurality of the assembly units are aligned. The apparatus also includes a buffer device for adjusting a difference in article assembly or machining time between the plurality of assembly units.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for feeding articles, containing a tape transporting apparatus, including a transporting member having plural container portions in succession, a cover tape for covering the apertures of the container portions of the transporting member, a first reel on which ends of the transporting member and the cover tape are fixed, for simultaneously winding the transporting member and the cover tape, a second reel on which the other end of the transporting member is fixed, for winding the transporting member only, a third reel on which the other end of the cover tape is fixed, for winding the cover tape only, a drive assembly for rotating the first, second and third reels, intermittent drive unit for intermittently driving the transporting member by engaging with successive perforations formed on the transporting member, a control unit for driving the drive assembly and intermittent drive unit, an aperture for loading or removing the articles into or from the container portions of the tra