Abstract: An orifice plate having orifice openings is interposed between a roller body and a side plate. In a closed region of an outer peripheral surface of the roller body which is covered with a base material, the base material is held on the outer peripheral surface of the roller body under suction by a negative pressure developed in suction holes. In an open region of the outer peripheral surface which is not covered with the base material, the sucking of a gas from an exterior space into the roller body is suppressed because it is difficult for the gas to pass through the orifice openings. This suppresses a reduction in sucking force in the closed region due to the entry of the gas from the open region. The roller body, the orifice plate and the side plate rotate as a unit. This suppresses deterioration of the members due to the slidable movement thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a membrane electrode assembly includes a suction roller, a porous base material supply roller, a porous base material collection roller, a laminated base material supply roller, an assembly collection roller, an application part disposed around the suction roller and a maintenance space for the maintenance of the application part. The porous base material supply roller and the porous base material collection roller are disposed on the opposite side of the suction roller from the maintenance space as seen in a horizontal direction. The porous base material supply roller and the porous base material collection roller are collectively disposed on one side of the suction roller. This configuration ensures the maintenance space on the opposite side of the suction roller, and lowers the height dimension of the manufacturing apparatus.

Abstract: An orifice plate having orifice openings is interposed between a roller body and a side plate. In a closed region of an outer peripheral surface of the roller body which is covered with a base material, the base material is held on the outer peripheral surface of the roller body under suction by a negative pressure developed in suction holes. In an open region of the outer peripheral surface which is not covered with the base material, the sucking of a gas from an exterior space into the roller body is suppressed because it is difficult for the gas to pass through the orifice openings. This suppresses a reduction in sucking force in the closed region due to the entry of the gas from the open region. The roller body, the orifice plate and the side plate rotate as a unit. This suppresses deterioration of the members due to the slidable movement thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a membrane electrode assembly includes a suction roller, a porous base material supply roller, a porous base material collection roller, a laminated base material supply roller, an assembly collection roller, an application part disposed around the suction roller and a maintenance space for the maintenance of the application part. The porous base material supply roller and the porous base material collection roller are disposed on the opposite side of the suction roller from the maintenance space as seen in a horizontal direction. The porous base material supply roller and the porous base material collection roller are collectively disposed on one side of the suction roller. This configuration ensures the maintenance space on the opposite side of the suction roller, and lowers the height dimension of the manufacturing apparatus.