Abstract: In accordance with levels of skillfulness of operators, guidance of a robot teaching apparatus is automatically changed for facilitated use by beginners and skilled operators. Teaching is performed through an interactive procedure with the aid of a display of message for manipulation guidance and a menu for input selection. A key manipulation path is automatically determined on the basis of various experience factors. For a skilled operator, operation up to generation of a final function display is executed in an automated manner.

Abstract: A portable teaching apparatus comprises interlock cancellation switches and at least one operating switch for producing a signal which remains effective only when the interlock cancellation switch is depressed. A box-like body with the operating switch arranged on the front surface thereof include two parallel strips of apexes on the back side thereof. Slopes which steadily approach the front side and continued from the apexes are formed between the two strips of apexes. The operating buttons of the interlock cancellation switches are mounted on the slopes respectively.

Abstract: Shaped articles of polyvinyl alcohol are prepared by saponifying a liquid feed of polyvinyl ester as it cascades downwardly along the walls of a cylindrical reactor, and by taking-up from the reactor outlet the fibrous, shaped article of oriented, solid polyvinyl alcohol thus formed at a rate of at least 50 cm/minute. Advantageously, the thus formed shaped article is next divided into sliver, stretched and cut into fibers and, optionally, beaten, which fibers are useful in the manufacture of paper-like sheet materials.