Abstract: According to one embodiment, an edge detection device includes a light source, an imaging part, and a detector. The light source includes at least three light-emitting parts for irradiating a plurality of objects adjacent with a light. The imaging part images a surface of the objects irradiated by each of the light-emitting parts, and generates a plurality of image data of the surface. The detector detects edges of the surface imaged, based on at least two different combinations of the plurality of image data.

Abstract: An apparatus according to an embodiment comprises: a laser source that outputs a laser beam; an optical system that modifies the laser beam, and directs the modified laser beam onto a test object; a signal detector that detects a change of signal in the process of irradiating the test object with the modified laser beam; and a computer system that performs a failure analysis based on the change detected by the signal detector, wherein the optical system modifies the laser beam so that the modified laser beam generates an irradiation zone that includes a first intensity component of which peak intensity is near an irradiation axis and a second intensity component of which peak intensity is around the irradiation axis.

Abstract: An automatic welding apparatus comprising a workpiece fixture carried by a moving member for rotation about a horizontal axis extending in a back and forth direction, said moving member being provided on a carriage for sliding movement in a lateral direction, said carriage being provided for sliding movement in said back and forth direction, and a torch fixture carried by an arm for rotation about a vertical axis, said arm being provided for sliding movement in the vertical direction. In another embodiment, the workpiece fixture is provided only for rotation about a horizontal axis extending in the back and forth direction, and the torch fixture is carried by the arm for rotation about the vertical axis, which arm is provided at the end of a column for sliding movement in said lateral direction, which column is provided on a sliding member for sliding movement in the vertical direction, which sliding member is provided on a guide for sliding movement in said back and forth direction.