Abstract: In the present invention, the form in which roughness is formed on the surface of an article being processed through plasma exposure is controlled by varying the frequency for a main voltage applied to two discharge electrodes, a conductive housing and a rod shaped electrode, provided in a plasma generating unit and the frequency for a bias voltage applied between the conductive housing (2) and the article being processed.

Abstract: A free casting method according to the present invention includes, a lead-out step for leading out molten metal from a lead-out area provided in a source of supply, e.g. a surface level of the molten metal, to retain the molten metal temporarily by surface films generated on an outer surface, and a forming step for obtaining a formed body by solidifying retained molten metal led out along a set passage depending on a desired casting shape, wherein the retained molten metal is solidified after being formed into the desired casting shape by applying an external force thereto at positions between an unrestrained root portion of the retained molten metal in vicinity of the surface level of the molten metal and a solidification interface defined as a boundary between the retained molten metal and the formed body in the forming step.

Abstract: A hot-top is disclosed that continuously casts an ingot by pouring molten metal down into a cylindrical space in a continuous casting mold from a molten metal flow-down port. The inner shape of a flow-down port forming part corresponds to the inner shape of a cylindrical space forming part. The hot-top forms an annular groove about the molten metal flow-down port, and has a barrier between the annular groove and the flow-down port.

Abstract: When aluminum alloy billet obtained by continuously casting molten aluminum alloy in the shape of rod is cut into a predetermined length by means of a cutting device, and then the aluminum alloy billet thus cut is loaded into a product carrier container with an identification mark that has been made, the casting condition and inspection results of the aluminum alloy billet are stored in the storage unit of a production control device in association with the identification mark so as to stabilize the quality and production of the aluminum alloy billet used for machining materials.

Abstract: In a recording medium playback device, such as a tape recorder, the playback speed is changed from the speed used during recording but the sounds and voices being reproduced can be listened to at the normal pitch, as if the playback tape speed was the same as the recording speed. A frequency generator (FG) system is not required and the playback signal is converted in pitch based on a capstan motor drive signal that is converted to a voltage value and that controls a pitch converting circuit. Alternatively, the pitch converting circuit is controlled by a signal derived from a speed control system, whereby the capstan motor speed is controlled by the user of the tape recorder. By converting the pitch of the playback signal in this way a recording of a conference, for example, can be scanned at high speed yet the reproduced voices are provided with a normal pitch.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for switching between recording and playback modes of a tape recorder having a single input/output jack to which an output plug for an earphone, a headphone or the like, or an input plug for a microphone or the like can be connected. The jack is compatible with two channels. When a remote-control unit having a remote-control switch and connected to an input/output transducer is connected to the jack, one channel is used as an input channel for a remote-control signal, and the other channel is used as an input/output channel for an audio signal. In another embodiment, the tape recorder has a control circuit for discriminating between insertion of a 1-channel plug and insertion of a 2-channel plug into the 2-channel jack to control the operation of switches included in this tape recorder.

Abstract: A polycrystalline CuInSe.sub.2 film is produced by adding a liquid cooling medium to a mixture of Cu, In and Se powders, grinding the resulting composition by means of a ball-mill to provide a slurry containing CuInSe.sub.2 of low crystallinity, drying and adding a binding agent to the slurry to form a paste, coating a substrate with the paste, and sintering the paste so applied under a nitrogen atmosphere.The starting materials that can be used are not limited to respective powders of the above-mentioned elements but may be Cu-Se and In-Se compounds and the method provides CuInSe.sub.2 of excellent quality on a mass production scale at low cost.