Abstract: The present invention provides a twin-drum type continuous casting apparatus in which, when a side weir is vibrated at a high speed, vibrations of the side weir in the axial direction of the cooling drums is suppressed. The generation of run-out from a cast piece is prevented, and the elongation of the lives of the side weirs and the refractory materials is made possible. A pair of side weirs vibrating along end surfaces of cooling drums are characterized in that a support shaft serving as a center of rotation of the vibrations of the side weirs is disposed lower than the molten metal surface and higher than a minimum gap position of the cooling drums. A vibration exciting shaft for applying vibration to the side weir is disposed lower than the above-mentioned minimum gap position.

Abstract: Molten metal is supplied to a pouring basin formed between cooling members, such as movable cooling drums. A closed space is formed at a meniscus area whereat any one of the cooling members starts to come into contact with the molten metal, and a soluble gas or a mixture of soluble and insoluble gases is supplied to and filled in the closed space, thereby covering the meniscus area with the gas or the mixture. This arrangement enables a continuous casting of a thin metal sheet without surface cracks and having excellent surface characteristics.

Abstract: A process for producing a thin sheet of a Cr-Ni-based stainless steel having excellent surface quality and workability is produced by continuously casting a stainless steel represented by 18%Cr-8%Ni steel by means of a continuous casting machine having a mold wall surface that moves in synchronization with a cast strip, effecting rapid solidification at a cooling rate of 100.degree. C./sec or more into a cast strip having a thickness of 10 mm or less; after solidification thereof, initiating cooling of the cast strip from a high temperature at a rate of 100.degree. C./sec or more to 1250.degree. C. and preventing the occurrence of recuperation; holding the cooled cast strip in a temperature range of from over 900 to 1250.degree. C. exclusive for 5 sec to 2 min; and cooling and coiling the cast strip and subjecting the cast strip to annealing, pickling, cold rolling and annealing.

Abstract: Molten metal is supplied to a pouring basin formed between cooling members, such as movable cooling drums. A closed space is formed at a meniscus area whereat any one of the cooling members starts to come into contact with the molten metal, and a soluble gas or a mixture of soluble and insoluble gases is supplied to and filled in the closed space, thereby covering the meniscus area with the gas or the mixture. This arrangement enables a continuous casting of a thin metal sheet without surface cracks and having excellent surface characteristics.

Abstract: In an optical encoder using a collimated lighting system, an index scale is inclined toward a main scale by a predetermined value. With this arrangement, a component of variation in the detection signal due to variations in the grating gap can be offset or integrated to be removed from a geometric image of the first grating in the detection signal, whereby the dependence of an S/N ratio of the detection signal on the grating gap can be avoided.

Abstract: In a reflection type encoder having a main scale and an index scale with first and second gratings, respectively, and using a diffusing light source, diffused rays from a point light source are focused by a condensing lens to produce a secondary point light source positioned on a plane defined by the second gratings of the index scale. With this arrangement, a collimator lens can be dispensed with, so that the encoder can be rendered compact in size. Furthermore, the respective elements can be easily supported and positioned.

Abstract: In a diffraction type optical displacement encoder using a diffractive light source and having a main scale grating and an index scale grating, a light-receiving element receives two rays satisfying a relationship concerning the lengths of light paths at the rays between the light source and the index scale grating, and the width of the light receiving element, wherein the difference between the path length of each ray is approximately equal to an integral multiple of the square of the pitch of the main scale grating divided by the wavelength of the light source, and the width of the light receiving element, measured as the distance between the impingement points of the two rays at the index scale, is integrally related to the difference in ray path lengths and the angle of the impinging rays due to an offsetting of the light-receiving element.

Abstract: A process for the production of a nutritional lactic acid fermentation product comprising admixing a lactobacillus with the waste liquor obtained by soaking soybeans in water and then removing the soybeans, said waste liquor containing very low protein content and containing sugar, and then fermenting said waste liquor containing said lactobacillus whereby said nutritional lactic acid fermentation product is obtained.

Abstract: In preparing miso like albumin rich foodstuff raw material, malt of rice or the like is sterilized with ethyl alcohol or an aqueous solution thereof, the sterilized malt is admixed with steamed or boiled soya beans and the resulting mixture is aged at a temperature of 20.degree. C.-50.degree. C. for about one week or more.