Abstract: An offline teaching apparatus including a data acquiring section for acquiring position and orientation data and processing-condition data including interpolation commands, at respective predefined taught points, from an existing first processing program for a first workpiece; a processing-path calculating section for determining a processing path in the first program, based on the position and orientation data and the interpolation commands; a model generating section for generating, by using data of a second workpiece model of a second workpiece having geometrical features different from the first workpiece, a processing line showing a range of processing on the second workpiece; a taught-point calculating section for determining a geometrical correlation between the processing path and the processing line, and determining positions and orientations at respective taught points in the processing line; and a program generating section for generating a processing program for the second workpiece, by using the

Abstract: A robot simulation apparatus (10) capable of creating and executing a robot program includes a virtual space creating unit (31) for creating a virtual space (60), a workpiece model layout unit (32) for automatically arranging at least one workpiece model (40) in an appropriate posture at an appropriate position in a workpiece accommodation unit model (24) defined in the virtual space, a virtual camera unit (33) for acquiring a virtual image (52) of workpiece models existing in the range of a designated visual field as viewed from a designated place in the virtual space, a correcting unit (34) for correcting the teaching points in the robot program based on the virtual image, and a simulation unit (35) for simulating the operation of the robot handling the workpieces, and as a result, interference between the robot and the workpieces can be predicted while at the same time accurately determining the required workpiece handling time.

Abstract: An air heating mechanism for heating the air which is blown from a loosening/separating nozzle toward the top sheet attracted to an attracting and conveying unit is provided. A control unit controls the air heating mechanism based on moisture content information from a sensor for detecting a moisture content of a sheet supported by the tray.

Abstract: A cast aluminum base frame of a movable guide for a timing chain in an internal combustion engine is produced by a die in which the parting lines are located so that the shoe-engaging surface of the base frame and the pivot shaft-receiving hole are each formed by a continuous surface of the die, without oppositely pitched drafts.

Abstract: An immobilization method, an apparatus, and a manufacturing method of a microstructure are provided, where the method including the electrospray step by which a solution containing at least one objective substance is supplied to a capillary; and immobilization step by which the objective substance in the solution atomized in the electrospray step is immobilized on an object, which is to be coated and has an arbitrary shape, in a dried state by an electrostatic force while retaining functionality and/or activity of the objective substance, resulting in a thickness on the order of nanometers.

Abstract: An offline teaching apparatus including a data acquiring section for acquiring position and orientation data and processing-condition data including interpolation commands, at respective predefined taught points, from an existing first processing program for a first workpiece; a processing-path calculating section for determining a processing path in the first program, based on the position and orientation data and the interpolation commands; a model generating section for generating, by using data of a second workpiece model of a second workpiece having geometrical features different from the first workpiece, a processing line showing a range of processing on the second workpiece; a taught-point calculating section for determining a geometrical correlation between the processing path and the processing line, and determining positions and orientations at respective taught points in the processing line; and a program generating section for generating a processing program for the second workpiece, by using the

Abstract: In a liquid treating equipment to maintain a small amount of liquid to a desired liquid level with constantly supplying an additional liquid into a small capacity vessel, a storage vessel 13 to store the small amount of liquid, an injection tube 16 to inject the small amount of liquid into the storage vessel 16, liquid supplying apparatus 23–25 to supply the small amount of liquid into the storage vessel through the injection tube, a flow path 15 of which one end is joined with the storage vessel, a discharge vessel 14, joined with the storage vessel 13 via the flow path, having a larger surface area than that of the storage vessel, a discharge tube 17 of which the discharging inlet is positioned at the same level position as a desired liquid level of the small amount of liquid in the storage vessel and liquid discharging apparatus 27–29 to discharge the liquid from the discharge vessel through the discharge tube are provided.

Abstract: A robot programming device, in which the teaching of the cooperative motion of a plurality of robots may be carried out in a short time so as to reduce the number of man-hours for starting-up a robot system including the robots. The robot system includes two handling robots each having a hand for gripping a workpiece and a welding robot having a welding torch, a robot controller for controlling the robots, a personal computer with a robot programming device connected to the controller, and a teaching operation panel connected to the controller for teaching each robot.

Abstract: A device for fabricating a high-density microarray for cDNA or protein having an arbitrary pattern comprises an electrospray part for electrostatically spraying solutions containing a plurality of kinds of biologically active samples one by one, a support part supporting sample chips on which samples in the solutions sprayed from the electrospray part are deposited, a mask part disposed between the electrospray part and the support part and having holes the number of which is the same as that of the sample chips so as to selectively deposit the samples simultaneously in the adequate positions corresponding to the sample chips, a moving part for fabricating microarrays at a time by relatively moving the sample chip support part and the mask part and depositing the samples on the sample chips. Therefore the device can fabricate a large number of inexpensive high-density microarrays.

Abstract: A cast aluminum base frame of a movable guide for a timing chain in an internal combustion engine is produced by a die in which the parting lines are located so that the shoe-engaging surface of the base frame and the pivot shaft-receiving hole are each formed by a continuous surface of the die, without oppositely pitched drafts.

Abstract: There is provided a mechanochemical sensor including a minute mechanical structure body having the functional membrane formed at least on one part of its surface, a supporting part for supporting the minute mechanical structure body; and a detection part for detecting the change of a mechanical property of the minute mechanical structure body. According to the invention, it is possible to provide improved adhesion between the functional membrane and the minute mechanical structure body since the functional membrane is integrally formed in advance on the minute mechanical structure body, which will contribute to the increase of detection signal, and improvement of measurement precision and sensitivity.

Abstract: In a sliding contact guide for a flexible power transmission medium such as a chain or belt, the guide body includes a shoe and a plate-receiving portion integrally molded as a unit from a synthetic resin. A reinforcing plate is inserted into a slot in the plate-receiving portion. A surface of the reinforcing plate is of a concavo-convex shape. The concavo-convex shape enhances the strength of the reinforcing plate without increasing the overall weight of the guide. By controlling the spacing of the bend lines forming the concavo-convex configuration, the strength of the guide can be controlled in accordance with strength requirements for different regions of the guide.

Abstract: An offline programming device 1, robot control units 2a and 3a, and visual sensors 4 and 5 are connected to each other via a communication line 10. The device 1 stores and displays a shape of a work 6 generated by a CAD, for the work to be processed. Vertexes and edge lines of the work shape are assigned. A straight line processing route is formed by connecting between the assigned vertexes as teaching points. Points at both ends of the assigned edge line are set as teaching points, and the assigned edge line is set as a processing route. A processing program is generated in this way. The processing program is corrected based on a position and a posture of an actual work obtained by acquiring images of the work with the visual sensors 4 and 5. The processing operation of the processing program is simulated, and the work 6 is moved with a carriage 7 so that each axis of the robot is within a stroke limit to avoid the occurrence of interference between the robot and other objects.

Abstract: A solution containing a sample is provided vibration by a vibrating element, the solution is atomized in a status retaining its activities as minute particulate substances, and the solution and/or the atomized minute particulate substances are electrically charged by wires applied a high voltage. Then, the particles are dried out during flying, the particles are deposited onto a substrate grounded by electrostatic force, and to be immobilized in a status keeping its activities.

Abstract: A guide for as transmission device such as a chain or belt, is injection molded using a sandwich-molding process. The sandwhich-molded guide comprises a slide rail on which a chain or belt slides, and a rail supporting member intergrally provided along with the slide rail. The slide rail is composed of a material the principle component of which is first polymeric material having wear resistance and heat resistance, and the rail supporting member is composed of a material the principle component of which is a second polymeric material having higher strength than the material having the first polymeric material as its principle component. The slide rail and the rail supporting member are intimately joined to each other by injection molding using the sandwhich molding process.

Abstract: A microchip is provided, the microchip comprises a block constituting a reaction system, wherein said reaction system includes: a reaction region including biomolecules immobilized therein in form of a spot(s) or a strip(s); a supply flow channel connected to the reaction region for supplying a sample solution; and a recovery flow channel connected to the reaction region for recovering the sample solution which passes through at least a part of the reaction region. Thereby bonds or bindings between the biomolecules or biomacromolecules and the samples can be detected on the microchip using the slight quantity of both the sample and the biomolecules.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting an interaction between a biopolymer and a ligand characterized by consisting of a block provided with a reaction system having a reaction filed in which the biopolymer is immobilized, a supplying channel connected to the reaction field for supplying a sample to the reaction field and a recovery channel for recovering the sample having passed at least a part of the reaction field; and a means of measuring the flow potential of the immobilized biopolymer while supplying the sample to the reaction field via the supplying channel and recovering the sample having passed at least a part of the reaction field via the recovery channel. By using this apparatus, the interaction between a large number of biopolymers and ligands can be detected simultaneously.

Abstract: A movable lever for a transmission chain, which is able to pivot smoothly, and avoid seizing on its supporting shaft, comprises a unitary, molded resin lever body composed of a chain-engaging shoe and a plate-receiving portion, and a reinforcing plate in a slot in the plate-receiving portion. The plate and the plate-receiving portion have coaxial, cofastening mounting holes which receive the mounting shaft. Reinforcing ribs are provided on a side of the plate-receiving portion and their ends are notched to provide grooves which promote the flow of oil, which accumulates on the lever, toward the mounting holes so that adequate lubrication of the mounting hole in the plate is achieved.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydraulic type plastic tensioner comprising a body of the tensioner, which is made of plastics, a hollow metallic cylinder fit into a circular hole formed in the body, a plunger and a check valve mechanism. A ball seat in the check valve mechanism is provided on a bottom portion of the circular hole, and a retainer in a retainer-integrated type cylinder is press-fit onto the check ball to hold the cylinder in the circular hole.

Abstract: A tensioner has a tensioner body and a plunger slidably mounted in a hollow cylindrical part of the tensioner body. A plug is screwed into a female or internal screw formed from one end of the hollow cylindrical part. A coil spring is loaded in a spring accommodating hole of the plunger and in a spring accommodating hole of the plug. The coil spring is a left hand spring. On the other hand, the direction of the plug being screwed into the tensioner body is right, which is opposite to the winding direction of the coil spring. Since the direction of the plug being screwed and the winding direction of the coil spring are different, when the plug is being screwed into the tensioner body with the coil spring held between the plug and the plunger, the coil spring slides on the bottom of the spring accommodating hole of the plunger or on the bottom of the spring accommodating hole of the plug without being caught at either end.