Abstract: An operation planning method is provided for making an operation plan for receiving a plurality of products from a supplier, and mounting at least one item on each of the products based on specifications of each product . In this method, information relating to the products received from the supplier is initially acquired. The products received is a mixture of products whose specifications are determined before transportation of the products from the supplier, and products whose specifications are not determined by the time of transportation of the products. Then, an order is placed for desired items to be mounted on the products whose specifications are determined before transportation thereof, and an order is placed for desired items to be mounted on products whose specifications are determined during transportation thereof.

Abstract: A coil is formed by winding a conductive wire around a winding frame that is being rotated about a rotational axis of the winding frame. Guide members contact the conductive wire being wound around the winding frame to define the winding position of the conductive wire. The guide members are supported by a link mechanism that is provided coaxially with the rotational axis so as to rotate synchronously with the winding frame. As a third actuator moves a driving link in the direction of the rotational axis, the guide members are moved in directions of a diameter of the winding frame. As a first actuator moves a holding link in the direction of the rotational axis, the guide members are moved in the direction of the rotational axis together with the holding link. As a second actuator extends or contracts an arm, one of the guide members is moved independently of another one of the guide members. The first, second and third actuators do not need to rotate together with the winding frame.

Abstract: A process for producing ferromagnetic metal fine particles having superior magnetic characteristics, particularly, high saturation magnetization, well-balanced coercive force, having prevented sintering of particles between one another and also having superior dispersibility each particle, superior dispersibility of magnetic paints and improved corrosion resistance is provided, which process comprises adhering a compound of a metal such as Ni, etc. onto the surface of iron .alpha.-oxyhydroxide particles in water, depositing a silicon compound and an aluminum compound onto the resulting particles in alkaline water, filtering off and drying the resulting iron .alpha.-oxyhydroxide, calcining the particles in a non-reducing gas atmosphere and reducing the particles on heating.