Abstract: A holding rod is disposed in a processing bath close to the bottom of the processing bath. The holding rod is located in a bottom center portion of the processing bath between two processing fluid supply pipes. Since the holding rod serves as diaphragm means, a processing fluid from outlet holes rushing toward the bottom center portion of the processing bath along the bottom of the processing bath hits the holding rod, changes its direction upward and starts uniformly circulating in the processing bath.

Abstract: A photosensitive film is scanned with nine laser beams for recording an image on the same. The subscanning pitch .DELTA.X.sub.1 is so determined as to be 4.5 P, where P is an alignment pitch of photospots formed by the laser beams. Scanning lines which belong to a "front line group" and are scanned in a main scanning are spatialy alternated with other scanning lines which belong to a "rear line group" and are scanned in the next main scanning.

Abstract: Printed wiring boards (PWBs) applied to this inspection system are previously formed with marks in prescribed positional relation to wiring patterns. Deviation of PWBs with respect to absolute coordinates of the inspection system is detected by reading the marks. The PWBs are sequentially set one by one on a movable table, to be subjected to image acquisition of the marks and inspected areas. A first PWB is image-acquisited whereby obtained binary image data of the inspected area are stored in a memory unit. Thereafter a second PWB is image-acquisited, and in advance to the image acquisition of its inspected area, relative misregistration of the both PWBs is found by deviation data on respective marks of the first and second PWBs. The binary image data of the first PWB is read from the memory unit on the basis of the binary image data of the second PWB. When the binary image data of the first PWB are read, positional correction, i.e.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for scanning an object such as a photosensitive material by using the light beam or beams for use in a picture reproducing machine such as laser reproducing apparatus for plate making are disclosed. An object mounted to a surface of an object holder having a cylinder-like curvature is scanned by a light beam which is incident to a rotary mirror arranged on a rotating axis parallel with the holder's central axis, from the direction perpendicular thereto, and is reflected by the rotary mirror onto the object in the directions of holder's curvature and holder's central axis by rotating the rotary mirror around the rotating axis and moving the light beam in the direction of the rotating axis of the rotary mirror by using a light beam head in relation to the holder.