Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearer, an image forming device, a toner concentration detector, a toner supply device, an image density detector, and a controller including a memory device. At a predetermined timing before image formation is started, the controller adjusts a developing potential to adjust an image density of a detection toner image on the image bearer and drives the toner supply device or the developing device to adjust a toner concentration in the developing device. After the image formation is started, the controller drives the toner supply device to adjust the toner concentration, and, in a predetermined sheet interval, adjusts the target concentration based on the image density of the detection toner image formed in a non-image area of the image bearer. When the toner concentration is higher than the target concentration plus a threshold, the controller suspends image formation and readjusts the developing potential.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first electric charging unit having an electric discharge wire to uniformly electrify a surface of the electrostatic latent image bearer, a second electric charging unit having a second electric discharge wire to execute a pre-electric charge removal electric charging process by electrifying the surface of the electrostatic latent image bearer subsequent to a transfer process to transfer a toner image, and a first electric charge removing device to diselectrify the surface of the electrostatic latent image bearer by irradiating it with electric charge removing light subsequent to the pre-electric charge removal electric charging process. The first electric charge removing device is disposed within an electric discharge region of the second electric discharge wire on a downstream side of an extreme upstream edge of the electric discharge region of the second electric discharge wire in a rotational direction of the electrostatic latent image bearer.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a latent image bearer; a developing device containing two-component developer and including a developer bearer, a development voltage source, and a toner concentration detector; a toner supply device to supply toner to the developing device; a transfer device; and a controller to keep a toner concentration in the developer in the developing device at a target toner concentration during image formation. The controller executes forced toner consumption in which the developing device supplies the toner to the latent image bearer the toner at a predetermined forced toner consumption timing, while inhibiting the toner supply device from supplying toner. When the toner concentration falls to a prescribed toner density lower than the target toner concentration, the controller completes the forced toner consumption and executes a post-consumption toner supply operation.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearer, an image forming device, a toner concentration detector, a toner supply device, an image density detector, and a controller including a memory device. At a predetermined timing before image formation is started, the controller adjusts a developing potential to adjust an image density of a detection toner image on the image bearer and drives the toner supply device or the developing device to adjust a toner concentration in the developing device. After the image formation is started, the controller drives the toner supply device to adjust the toner concentration, and, in a predetermined sheet interval, adjusts the target concentration based on the image density of the detection toner image formed in a non-image area of the image bearer. When the toner concentration is higher than the target concentration plus a threshold, the controller suspends image formation and readjusts the developing potential.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a latent image bearer; a developing device containing two-component developer and including a developer bearer, a development voltage source, and a toner concentration detector; a toner supply device to supply toner to the developing device; a transfer device; and a controller to keep a toner concentration in the developer in the developing device at a target toner concentration during image formation. The controller executes forced toner consumption in which the developing device supplies the toner to the latent image bearer the toner at a predetermined forced toner consumption timing, while inhibiting the toner supply device from supplying toner. When the toner concentration falls to a prescribed toner density lower than the target toner concentration, the controller completes the forced toner consumption and executes a post-consumption toner supply operation.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first electric charging unit having an electric discharge wire to uniformly electrify a surface of the electrostatic latent image bearer, a second electric charging unit having a second electric discharge wire to execute a pre-electric charge removal electric charging process by electrifying the surface of the electrostatic latent image bearer subsequent to a transfer process to transfer a toner image, and a first electric charge removing device to diselectrify the surface of the electrostatic latent image bearer by irradiating it with electric charge removing light subsequent to the pre-electric charge removal electric charging process. The first electric charge removing device is disposed within an electric discharge region of the second electric discharge wire on a downstream side of an extreme upstream edge of the electric discharge region of the second electric discharge wire in a rotational direction of the electrostatic latent image bearer.

Abstract: A method of dividing, along lattice pattern-like dividing lines, a wafer which has the lattice pattern-like dividing lines and a polymer film on the front surface of a substrate and is processed to allow for division along the dividing lines, the method comprising a frame holding step for putting the wafer on the surface of an adhesive tape mounted on an annular frame; a wafer cooling step for cooling the wafer that is affixed to the surface of the adhesive tape mounted on the annular frame; and a diving step for dividing the wafer along the dividing lines by expanding the adhesive tape to which the cooled wafer is affixed.

Abstract: Machines existing in a plant are classified under a multilevel hierarchy and are displayed on a screen. A summary of a diagnosis result of one or more nondisplayed machines which is not displayed on the screen and is classified to a level lower than that of the machines displayed on the screen. Therefore, the diagnosis result of the nondisplayed machines can also be seen on the screen and oversights of machine management can be prevented.

Abstract: A method of dividing, along lattice pattern-like dividing lines, a wafer which has the lattice pattern-like dividing lines and a polymer film on the front surface of a substrate and is processed to allow for division along the dividing lines, the method comprising a frame holding step for putting the wafer on the surface of an adhesive tape mounted on an annular frame; a wafer cooling step for cooling the wafer that is affixed to the surface of the adhesive tape mounted on the annular frame; and a diving step for dividing the wafer along the dividing lines by expanding the adhesive tape to which the cooled wafer is affixed.

Abstract: Machines existing in a plant are classified under a multilevel hierarchy and are displayed on a screen. A summary of a diagnosis result of one or more nondisplayed machines which is not displayed on the screen and is classified to a level lower than that of the machines displayed on the screen. Therefore, the diagnosis result of the nondisplayed machines can also be seen on the screen and oversights of machine management can be prevented.

Abstract: A heterocyclic oxy-phenoxyacetic acid derivative of the formula: ##STR1## , or its salt, which is useful as a herbicide.