Abstract: An image-forming device includes an electrophotographic image-forming section, a receptacle, a detecting unit, a shielding member, a drive mechanism. The electrophotographic image-forming section transfers developer onto a recording sheet to form developer image thereon. The receptacle collects developer not transferred onto the recording sheet. The receptacle includes a detection portion. The detecting unit detects light passing through the detection portion. The shielding member is movably disposed in the detection portion to move between a first position blocking the light to be detected by the detecting unit and a second position allowing the light to pass through the detection portion. The drive mechanism moves the shielding member between the first position and the second position in a direction different from a vertical direction.

Abstract: A belt is disposed in a main body and moves circularly to transport a recording medium placed thereon. A cleaning roller contacts an outer surface of the belt for removing extraneous matter deposited on the outer surface of the belt. A pair of backup rollers is disposed in opposition to the cleaning roller with the belt interposed between the backup rollers and the cleaning roller. The pair of backup rollers contacting the belt at first and second positions and the cleaning roller contacting the belt at a third position where the third position is interposed between the first and second positions. A holder rotatably holds the pair of backup rollers. Rotational axes of the backup rollers are kept parallel to each other. An urging unit urges the backup rollers toward the cleaning roller. A driving unit is supported on the main body and moves the holder to change a distance between the pair of backup rollers and the cleaning roller.

Abstract: Calculating a rotation center point on a plane of rotation of a positioning device by using a manipulator. The positioning device positions a workpiece by rotating the plane of rotation. The calculating includes a first step of obtaining location information of a predetermined position on the plane of rotation, a second step of rotating the plane of rotation of the positioning device 180 degrees, a third step of obtaining location information of the predetermined position on the 180-degree rotated plane of rotation, and a fourth step of calculating a point bisecting a straight line as the rotation center point of the plane of rotation of the positioning device from the location information obtained in the first step and the location information obtained in the third step, the straight line connecting the predetermined position of the first step and the predetermined position of the third step.

Abstract: A waste collecting device includes a first box including a top surface having a first opening, a bottom surface opposed to the top surface, and side surfaces connecting the top surface and the bottom surface and having a second opening, wherein the top surface, the bottom surface, and the side surfaces define a space allowing waste to be accommodated therein; a second box including a top surface, a bottom surface opposed to the top surface, and side surfaces connecting the top surface and the bottom surface and having a third opening, the third opening being in communication with the second opening; and a sending unit disposed in the first box and configured to send the waste in a direction away from the second box.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for calculating a rotation center point on a plane of rotation of a positioning device by using a manipulator, the positioning device positions a workpiece by rotating the plane of rotation. The method includes: a first step of obtaining location information of a predetermined position on the plane of rotation by using the manipulator, a second step of rotating the plane of rotation of the positioning device 180 degrees; a third step of obtaining location information of the predetermined position on the 180-degree rotated plane of rotation by using the manipulator; and a fourth step of calculating a point bisecting a straight line as the rotation center point of the plane of rotation of the positioning device from the location information obtained in the first step and the location information obtained in the third step, the straight line connecting the predetermined position of the first step and the predetermined position of the third step.

Abstract: A waste collecting device includes a first box including a top surface having a first opening, a bottom surface opposed to the top surface, and side surfaces connecting the top surface and the bottom surface and having a second opening, wherein the top surface, the bottom surface, and the side surfaces define a space allowing waste to be accommodated therein; a second box including a top surface, a bottom surface opposed to the top surface, and side surfaces connecting the top surface and the bottom surface and having a third opening, the third opening being in communication with the second opening; and a sending unit disposed in the first box and configured to send the waste in a direction away from the second box.

Abstract: An image-forming device includes an electrophotographic image-forming section, a receptacle, a detecting unit, a shielding member, a drive mechanism. The electrophotographic image-forming section transfers developer onto a recording sheet to form developer image thereon. The receptacle collects developer not transferred onto the recording sheet. The receptacle includes a detection portion. The detecting unit detects light passing through the detection portion. The shielding member is movably disposed in the detection portion to move between a first position blocking the light to be detected by the detecting unit and a second position allowing the light to pass through the detection portion. The drive mechanism moves the shielding member between the first position and the second position in a direction different from a vertical direction.

Abstract: A belt is disposed in a main body and moves circularly to transport a recording medium placed thereon. A cleaning roller contacts an outer surface of the belt for removing extraneous matter deposited on the outer surface of the belt. A pair of backup rollers is disposed in opposition to the cleaning roller with the belt interposed between the backup rollers and the cleaning roller. The pair of backup rollers contacting the belt at first and second positions and the cleaning roller contacting the belt at a third position where the third position is interposed between the first and second positions. A holder rotatably holds the pair of backup rollers. Rotational axes of the backup rollers are kept parallel to each other. An urging unit urges the backup rollers toward the cleaning roller. A driving unit is supported on the main body and moves the holder to change a distance between the pair of backup rollers and the cleaning roller.

Abstract: An embroidery frame provided with an upper frame, a lower frame that clamps a workpiece cloth with the upper frame, a hinge openably linking the upper and lower frames, a clamping unit that presses the upper frame to the lower frame, an auxiliary frame which is fitted in an inner side of the upper frame and which downwardly presses the workpiece cloth clamped between the upper and lower frames, and a regulating mechanism which is fitted in the upper frame and which regulates the upward movement of the auxiliary frame with respect to the upper frame.

Abstract: An embroidery frame of the present disclosure is provided with an upper frame and a lower frame, both of which clamping a workpiece cloth therebetween, and a clamping unit that presses the upper frame against the lower frame. A projection is formed on an upper surface of the lower frame, wherein a plurality of notched recesses are formed on an outer peripheral surface of the projection. On the other hand a groove capable of being fitted with the projection is formed on a lower surface of the upper frame, wherein a plurality of protrusions capable of being fitted with the notched recesses are formed in the groove.

Abstract: A sewing machine includes a cylinder bed extending in a predetermined direction and accommodating a shuttle and a shuttle shaft for driving the shuttle, a cloth holding frame for holding a work cloth, a moving member for supporting the cloth holding frame, the moving member being guided by the shuttle shaft so as to be moved in the predetermined direction, and a moving member driving unit for driving the moving member in the predetermined direction.

Abstract: An embroidery frame of the present disclosure is provided with an upper frame and a lower frame, both of which clamping a workpiece cloth therebetween, and a clamping unit that presses the upper frame against the lower frame. A projection is formed on an upper surface of the lower frame, wherein a plurality of notched recesses are formed on an outer peripheral surface of the projection. On the other hand a groove capable of being fitted with the projection is formed on a lower surface of the upper frame, wherein a plurality of protrusions capable of being fitted with the notched recesses are formed in the groove.

Abstract: An embroidery frame provided with an upper frame, a lower frame that clamps a workpiece cloth with the upper frame, a hinge openably linking the upper and lower frames, a clamping unit that presses the upper frame to the lower frame, an auxiliary frame which is fitted in an inner side of the upper frame and which downwardly presses the workpiece cloth clamped between the upper and lower frames, and a regulating mechanism which is fitted in the upper frame and which regulates the upward movement of the auxiliary frame with respect to the upper frame.

Abstract: A sewing machine includes a cylinder bed extending in a predetermined direction and accommodating a shuttle and a shuttle shaft for driving the shuttle, a cloth holding frame for holding a work cloth, a moving member for supporting the cloth holding frame, the moving member being guided by the shuttle shaft so as to be moved in the predetermined direction, and a moving member driving unit for driving the moving member in the predetermined direction.

Abstract: A measured welding event is reproduced by a welding robot. Welding events are organized into a database by a three-dimensional measuring device and a data logging device, and the welding events are subjected to statistical and analytical processes, thereby producing operation data of a robot.