Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a memory and processor. The memory stores a trouble category into which a trouble occurring in a product is classified and a design-element category into which a design element causing the trouble and included in the product is classified in mutual association and store a design-element category into which a design element included in a product is classified and a design-requirement category into which a design requirement of the design element is classified in association with each other.

Abstract: A design support system includes memory, a receiving unit, and an associating unit. The memory stores information on design element classification that classifies a design element included in a product, and information on design requirement classification that classifies a design requirement required for the product. The receiving unit receives technical information regarding a design trouble. The associating unit refers to technical information regarding a design trouble, received by the receiving unit, and associates a classification item in the design requirement classification to which the design trouble belongs and a classification item in the design element classification to which a design element causing the design trouble belongs with each other, along with information on a phenomenon indicating a failure status of the design element included in the technical information.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a memory and processor. The memory stores a trouble category into which a trouble occurring in a product is classified and a design-element category into which a design element causing the trouble and included in the product is classified in mutual association and store a design-element category into which a design element included in a product is classified and a design-requirement category into which a design requirement of the design element is classified in association with each other.

Abstract: A design support system includes memory, a receiving unit, and an associating unit. The memory stores information on design element classification that classifies a design element included in a product, and information on design requirement classification that classifies a design requirement required for the product. The receiving unit receives technical information regarding a design trouble. The associating unit refers to technical information regarding a design trouble, received by the receiving unit, and associates a classification item in the design requirement classification to which the design trouble belongs and a classification item in the design element classification to which a design element causing the design trouble belongs with each other, along with information on a phenomenon indicating a failure status of the design element included in the technical information.

Abstract: A design support system includes a storage unit, an accepting unit, a selecting unit, and an associating unit. The storage unit stores information regarding design element classifications into which design elements constituting a product are classified and design requirement classifications into which design requirements required for the product are classified. The accepting unit accepts technical information regarding a trouble due to design. The selecting unit refers to the technical information regarding the trouble, selects a classification item to which the trouble belongs from among the design requirement classifications, and selects a classification item to which a design element that has caused the trouble belongs from among the design element classifications.

Abstract: A design support system includes a storage unit, an accepting unit, a selecting unit, and an associating unit. The storage unit stores information regarding design element classifications into which design elements constituting a product are classified and design requirement classifications into which design requirements required for the product are classified. The accepting unit accepts technical information regarding a trouble due to design. The selecting unit refers to the technical information regarding the trouble, selects a classification item to which the trouble belongs from among the design requirement classifications, and selects a classification item to which a design element that has caused the trouble belongs from among the design element classifications.

Abstract: An article recognition apparatus includes a marker having four or more unit pattern marks which are provided at a predetermined positional relationship on an article to be recognized and which are formed in such a way that a density pattern sequentially changes from a center position to a periphery of the pattern marker. The article recognition apparatus also includes an imaging tool that is disposed opposite the article to be recognized and that captures an image of the marker; a supporting mechanism that supports the imaging tool so as to enable setting of the imaging tool at least at a non-face-up measurement position; and a layout information recognition block that recognizes layout information about a position and an attitude of the article to be recognized.

Abstract: A component assembly inspection method includes taking an image of a first light spot group possessed by a first component with a camera after the first component is assembled in a second component, the first light spot group including plural light spots. The method further includes recognizing a position and an attitude of the first component based on a light image that is on the image taken with the camera and represents each of the light spots of the first light spot group; and determining quality of an assembly state of the first component in the second component based on the position and attitude of the first component.

Abstract: A group of light spots dispersed and disposed three-dimensionally to be disposed not in one plane on an object-to-be-measured are shot by a camera. A position and an attitude of the object-to-be-measured are recognized based on an optical image representing each of the light spots included on a shot image by the camera.

Abstract: An assembly inspection apparatus includes a marker having four or more unit pattern marks which are provided, at a predetermined positional relationship, in a portion of an assembly component to be put into a receiving assembly component and which are formed in such a way that a density pattern sequentially changes from a center position to a periphery of the pattern mark; an imaging tool that is disposed opposite the assembly component put into the receiving assembly component and that captures an image of the marker; a layout information recognition block that recognizes layout information about a position and an attitude of the assembly component put into the receiving assembly component by use of at least imaging information about the marker whose image has been captured by the imaging tool; and an assembly inspection block that inspects whether or not a superior assembly state is achieved.

Abstract: An article recognition apparatus includes a marker having four or more unit pattern marks which are provided at a predetermined positional relationship on an article to be recognized and which are formed in such a way that a density pattern sequentially changes from a center position to a periphery of the pattern marker. The article recognition apparatus also includes an imaging tool that is disposed opposite the article to be recognized and that captures an image of the marker; a supporting mechanism that supports the imaging tool so as to enable setting of the imaging tool at least at a non-face-up measurement position; and a layout information recognition block that recognizes layout information about a position and an attitude of the article to be recognized.

Abstract: A group of light spots dispersed and disposed three-dimensionally to be disposed not in one plane on an object-to-be-measured are shot by a camera. A position and an attitude of the object-to-be-measured are recognized based on an optical image representing each of the light spots included on a shot image by the camera.

Abstract: A component assembly inspection method includes taking an image of a first light spot group possessed by a first component with a camera after the first component is assembled in a second component, the first light spot group including plural light spots. The method further includes recognizing a position and an attitude of the first component based on a light image that is on the image taken with the camera and represents each of the light spots of the first light spot group; and determining quality of an assembly state of the first component in the second component based on the position and attitude of the first component.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a cylindrical fixing roller, an endless belt and a pressure member. The endless belt rotates along with the fixing roller. The endless belt is disposed at a position facing the fixing roller. The pressure member is disposed inside the endless belt. The pressure member pressurizes the fixing roller via the endless belt. The pressure member includes a contact member and an adjustment member. The contact member directly contacts with the endless belt. The adjustment member adjusts distribution of pressure given to the contact member.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a cylindrical fixing roller, an endless belt and a pressure member. The endless belt rotates along with the fixing roller. The endless belt is disposed at a position facing the fixing roller. The pressure member is disposed inside the endless belt. The pressure member pressurizes the fixing roller via the endless belt. The pressure member includes a contact member and an adjustment member. The contact member directly contacts with the endless belt. The adjustment member adjusts distribution of pressure given to the contact member.

Abstract: A method of three-dimensionally microcutting a metal material suitable for molds is provided. An electrolyte is interposed between a work piece which is made of a conductive material, and an electrode. Through application of an electrolysis voltage between the work piece and the electrode with the electrolyte interposed between them, a passive state film is formed on the surface of a to-be-cut part of the work piece. Then, the passive state film on the surface of the to-be-cut part of the work piece is cut.

Abstract: An abrasive apparatus adopted to abrade a curved surface of workpiece includes: an abrading head including an abrading tip having a substantially spherical outer surface and a rotating shaft supporting the abrading tip, the abrading head being positioned to face the curved surface; a thrust moving mechanism for relatively moving the abrading head and the curved surface; a lateral moving mechanism for relatively moving the abrading head and the curved surface; a pivotal moving mechanism for relatively moving the abrading head and the curved surface pivotally around a center point; and a controller for controlling the abrading head, the thrust moving mechanism, the lateral moving mechanism and the pivotal moving mechanism synchronously so that the abrading tip contacts and presses the curved surface at any point thereon with a substantially constant pressure in a direction consistent with a normal line thereat.

Abstract: To assure that a plate-shaped brittle material is exactly cut into two plate pieces, a jig having a thread-shaped projection secured thereto in conformity with a predetermined pattern positionally coincident with a cut groove formed in the plate-shaped brittle material, an elastic member located on the cut groove side of the plate-shaped brittle material, and a plate-shaped brittle material to be cut into two plate pieces are placed on a table of a press machine one above another, and subsequently, a predetermined intensity of pressing power is applied to the jig from above by operating a pressing machine. Alternatively, a jig having a thread-shaped projection secured thereto, an elastic member located on the opposite side relative to the cut groove side of the plate-shaped brittle material, and a plate-shaped brittle material to be cut into two plate pieces may be placed on the press table one above another.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for micro-electric discharge machining that machines electrically resistant materials having high volume resistivity, such as Mn--Zn ferrite or single crystal silicon material, with a ciruit including an electrode connected to a positive terminal of a power supply and the workpiece of electrically resistant material is connected to a negative terminal of a power supply. The circuit can include a capacitor having a capacitance less than 5000 pF.

Abstract: To assure that a plate-shaped brittle material is exactly cut into two plate pieces, a jig having a thread-shaped projection secured thereto in conformity with a predetermined pattern positionally coincident with a cut groove formed in the plate-shaped brittle material, an elastic member located on the cut groove side of the plate-shaped brittle material, and a plate-shaped brittle material to be cut into two plate pieces are placed on a table of a press machine one above another, and subsequently, a predetermined intensity of pressing power is applied to the jig from above by operating a pressing machine. Alternatively, a jig having a thread-shaped projection secured thereto, an elastic member located on the opposite side relative to the cut groove side of the plate-shaped brittle material, and a plate-shaped brittle material to be cut into two plate pieces may be placed on the press table one above another.