Abstract: A product design CAD data reconstruction unit 50 reconstructs product design CAD data used for product evaluation regarding an initial design so as to fulfill restrictive conditions obtained from the product evaluation based on a product structure for the initial design. The reconstructed product design CAD data is stored in a product design CAD data database 90. Upon reception of a corrected design obtained by correcting the initial design, the product design CAD data for the initial design is read from the product design CAAD data database 90, and the product design CAD data is corrected along a design surface of the corrected design.

Abstract: A linear motor apparatus which drives a mover of a linear motor in a stable manner, by using only information on change of relative position, without using an absolute value sensor. The apparatus has a coil array of plural phases of coils and a magnet relatively movable to the coil array, plural drivers, at least one of which being provided for each phase, to feed a current to all the same phase coils of the coil array, a sensor for measuring a change of relative position of the magnet moved by the current to the coil array, and a controller to determine the polarity of the current applied to the same phase coils based on the change of the relative position measured by the sensor, and apply a drive current to drive the magnet in a desired direction to the same phase coils.

Abstract: A linear motor apparatus which drives a mover of a linear motor in a stable manner, by using only information on change of relative position, without using an absolute value sensor. The apparatus has a coil array of plural phases of coils and a magnet relatively movable to the coil array, plural drivers, at least one of which being provided for each phase, to feed a current to all the same phase coils of the coil array, a sensor for measuring a change of relative position of the magnet moved by the current to the coil array, and a controller to determine the polarity of the current applied to the same phase coils based on the change of the relative position measured by the sensor, and apply a drive current to drive the magnet in a desired direction to the same phase coils.

Abstract: A linear motor apparatus which drives a mover of a linear motor in a stable manner, by using only information on change of relative position, without using an absolute value sensor. The apparatus has a coil array of plural phases of coils and a magnet relatively movable to the coil array, plural drivers, at least one of which being provided for each phase, to feed a current to all the same phase coils of the coil array, a sensor for measuring a change of relative position of the magnet moved by the current to the coil array, and a controller to determine the polarity of the current applied to the same phase coils based on the change of the relative position measured by the sensor, and apply a drive current to drive the magnet in a desired direction to the same phase coils.

Abstract: A linear motor apparatus which drives a mover of a linear motor in a stable manner, by using only information on change of relative position, without using an absolute value sensor. The apparatus has a coil array of plural phases of coils and a magnet relatively movable to the coil array, plural drivers, at least one of which being provided for each phase, to feed a current to all the same phase coils of the coil array, a sensor for measuring a change of relative position of the magnet moved by the current to the coil array, and a controller to determine the polarity of the current applied to the same phase coils based on the change of the relative position measured by the sensor, and apply a drive current to drive the magnet in a desired direction to the same phase coils.

Abstract: A product design CAD data reconstruction unit 50 reconstructs product design CAD data used for product evaluation regarding an initial design so as to fulfill restrictive conditions obtained from the product evaluation based on a product structure for the initial design. The reconstructed product design CAD data is stored in a product design CAD data database 90. Upon reception of a corrected design obtained by correcting the initial design, the product design CAD data for the initial design is read from the product design CAAD data database 90, and the product design CAD data is corrected along a design surface of the corrected design.

Abstract: A stage apparatus includes a stage, a member fixed to the stage and a weight compensation mechanism having at least three spring members for compensating for a weight of a structure including the stage and the member. A barycentric position of the structure deviates from a centroid of a polygon formed by support points of the at least three spring members. The spring constants of the at least three spring members are based on a relative positional relationship between the barycentric position of the structure and the at least three spring members so as to set at least one spring constant different from the other spring constants.

Abstract: A weight compensation mechanism made up of at least three spring members (3a-3c), and linear motors (4a-4c) for finely translating a fine moving stage (1) in the Z direction are interposed between the fine moving stage (1) and a coarse moving stage (2). The barycenter (G) of a structure including the fine moving stage (1) deviates from the stage center (O) owing to bar mirrors (10) or the like. When the spring members (3a-3c) return the fine moving stage (1) to a statically balanced state, a rotation moment is generated to score or damage the stage. The spring constants of the three spring members (3a-3c) are set based on the relative positions of the spring members (3a-3c) to the barycenter (G), thereby preventing generation of the rotation moment.

Abstract: This invention is a ready-made bite control point which aims at easing the dentist to form the projections on the tooth side without a specialized tool and comprises a swelling to be fitted into a side hollow of a positioner for tooth-straightening employed in the dental treatment of open bite.

Abstract: A method of determining the number of bacteria in a sample which involves introducing a sample containing bacteria into a tubular filtering vessel holding therein a hydrophobic filter for bacterial detection, a coloring composition is disposed on the side of the filter where the sample is introduced into the vessel, and a support for the filter is disposed on the opposite side of the filter from the coloring composition. The bacteria is subjected to and the sample is filtered dyeing sample by suction from the support to collect the dyed bacteria on the filter and remove the excess of coloring matter. The number of the bacteria in the sample is determined from the degree of staining of the filter.

Abstract: A bobbin thread cutting device of a sewing machine for cutting a bobbin thread and for temporarily anchoring an end of the cut thread. The bobbin thread cutting device has a cover openably attached to a bed. The cover is formed with a guide groove in which a cutting blade is positioned. A blade edge of the cutting blade and a side edge of the guide groove define an acute-angled portion. A direction in which the bobbin thread is pulled out of the bed through the guide groove intersects a direction in which the bobbin thread extends from a tension generating portion of the bobbin case when the bobbin thread is about to be cut. A leading end of a cut bobbin thread is temporarily anchored at the acute-angled portion.

Abstract: A target state quantity generating unit generates a target state quantity for a stage, and a laser interferometer detects the current state quantity (position) of the stage. Based on the target state quantity and the detected state quantity (position), a compensation system constituted by a variable phase compensator and a PID compensator controls the driving operation of the stage. A memory unit stores forward and reverse gain tables, and provides adjustment information for adjusting the compensation system in correspondence with the state quantity of the stage. The corresponding gain table is selected on the basis of the driving direction of the stage, and the adjustment information is read out from the selected gain table on the basis of the position of the stage. The corner frequency of the variable phase compensator is changed on the basis of the readout adjustment information.

Abstract: Provided is high-performance H.sub..infin. control technology suitable for position control or speed control of semiconductor exposure apparatus, servo writer of hard disk, etc. A series compensator in the classical control technology represented by the PID compensator is employed as a frequency weight of loop shaping, whereby the design technology in the conventional classical control can be succeeded to and a high-performance control system can be realized even for cases where there is an oscillation mode of a controlled object to become a problem on control performance in the servo band, which was difficult to realize by the classical control technology.

Abstract: A precision positioning apparatus suitable for the positioning control system of a semiconductor exposing apparatus such as a stepper has, as its object, the provision of a non-contact type precision positioning apparatus capable of properly correcting the disturbance of posture or vibration based on low rigidityy which is a feature of a non-contact guide mechanism and accomplishing stable, highly accurate positioning at a high speed. The precision positioning apparatus is provided with a base plate, a movable member positioned on the base plate, a driving device for driving the movable member, a detecting device for detecting movement of the movable member, and a device for supplying the driving device with a signal regarding the movement of the movable member on the basis of a reference value and the output value from the detecting device.

Abstract: A stage driving system capable of positioning an object with a higher speed and a higher precision than prior systems. The system includes a base member, plural movable members provided on the base member, and a controller for controlling the plural movable members so as to substantially suppress the vibration of the base member caused by the displacements of the plural movable members.

Abstract: A method for measuring the number of living microorganisms in a specimen which comprises entrapping the microorganisms on a hydrophobic filter after the dyeing thereof, or alternatively dyeing the microorganisms after entrapping them on the hydrophobic filter, removing excessive coloring matter by washing, and then determining the number of the microorganisms by the degree of coloration thereof. A kit for measuring the number of living microorganisms which comprises a hydrophobic filter, a syringe to which the filter is fittable, a coloring matter solution, a cleaning solution, and a color reference table. The present invention enables the rapid and convenient measurement of the number of living microorganisms in the specimen without use of special equipment. In accordance with the present invention, the measurement is usually completed within ten minutes.

Abstract: In an adaptive apparatus for adaptively adjusting parameters in a system, the parameters of the system are adjusted in accordance with an integral relationship. At that moment, one or both of a scalar and a matrix which depend on time are used as gains. Furthermore, adjustment in accordance with a proportional relationship is used together. Also in this adjustment, one or both of a scalar and a matrix which depend on time are used as gains.

Abstract: In apparatus for recording information and/or reproducing information by irradiating a light beam to a disk shaped optical recording medium, there are provided an adjusting mechanism for adjusting an irradiation state of the light beam to the recording medium, a detector for detecting an irradiation sate error signal of the light beam transmitted or reflected from the recording medium to the recording medium. Further, there are provided a feedback circuit, a storing device and providing circuit. In the feedback circuit, the irradiation state error signal obtained by the detector is sampled at a predetermined rate to generate a control signal for the adjusting mechanism by use of the sampled irradiation state error signal, and the control signal is fed back to the adjusting mechanism. The sampling of the irradiation state error signal is effected at a different rate from that in the detector and the sampled irradiation state error signal is stored in the storing device.

Abstract: A guest-host type liquid crystal composition comprising one or more host liquid crystals and dissolved therein one or more pleochroic dyes having a trans-4-substituted cyclohexyl group, preferably in an amount of 70% by mole or more of said trans-4-substituted cyclohexyl group among 4-substituted cyclohexyl groups, can afford a liquid crystal display device improved in display contrast and good stability due to no photochemical reaction of the liquid crystal composition.

Abstract: There is disclosed a fluid filtration element having a porous core cylinder, a sectionally thick filtration cylinder fitted around the core cylinder, and end plates secured to the end surfaces of filtration cylinder. Highly densified portions are formed at the filtration cylinder ends to which the end plates are press-fitted, thereby hindering the fluid permeation. Sectionally thin protrusions erected on the end plate surfaces are cut into the highly densified portions.