Abstract: An insert (cover member) is formed of an iron-based alloy. A casting mold is constituted by a fixed mold and a movable mold. An insert housing portion (cover housing portion) for housing the insert is formed in a separation surface between the fixed mold and the movable mold, and a magnet is embedded in the insert housing portion of either the fixed mold or the movable mold. A robot grips the insert with a gripping portion (hand) to convey the insert to a position facing the insert housing portion, releases the insert at the facing position in a state where a predetermined clearance is secured between the insert and the insert housing portion, and causes the insert to be attracted to the insert housing portion by the magnet.

Abstract: A casting mold includes a cavity for molding a product, and a pouring basin and a passageway that guide molten metal into the cavity. The passageway includes, at portions thereof positioned below the pouring basin and the cavity, bent portions (a first bent portion, a second bent portion) that change the advancing direction of the molten metal, and the casting mold further includes a cover member, which covers the inner wall of the bent portion, allows the passageway positioned on the upstream side of the bent portion to communicate with the passageway positioned on the downstream side of the bent portion, and has a lower thermal conductivity than the base material of the mold.

Abstract: A casting mold includes a cover member covering the inner wall of a bent portion (a first bent portion, etc.) of a passageway. The cover member has a bottomed cylindrical shape having an axis extending in an up-down direction, and includes an upper hole, lateral holes, and at least one flange (a side wall flange). At least one of a fixed mold and a movable mold includes a flange housing groove in a separation surface. When the cover member is disposed in the bent portion and the casting mold is closed, the flange is housed in the flange housing groove, and the cover member is held in a state where a gap is formed between the inner wall of the bent portion and the outer wall of the cover member.

Abstract: A casting mold includes a cover member covering the inner wall of a bent portion (a first bent portion, etc.) of a passageway. The cover member has a bottomed cylindrical shape having an axis extending in an up-down direction, and includes an upper hole, lateral holes, and at least one flange (a side wall flange). At least one of a fixed mold and a movable mold includes a flange housing groove in a separation surface. When the cover member is disposed in the bent portion and the casting mold is closed, the flange is housed in the flange housing groove, and the cover member is held in a state where a gap is formed between the inner wall of the bent portion and the outer wall of the cover member.

Abstract: An insert (cover member) is formed of an iron-based alloy. A casting mold is constituted by a fixed mold and a movable mold. An insert housing portion (cover housing portion) for housing the insert is formed in a separation surface between the fixed mold and the movable mold, and a magnet is embedded in the insert housing portion of either the fixed mold or the movable mold. A robot grips the insert with a gripping portion (hand) to convey the insert to a position facing the insert housing portion, releases the insert at the facing position in a state where a predetermined clearance is secured between the insert and the insert housing portion, and causes the insert to be attracted to the insert housing portion by the magnet.

Abstract: A casting mold includes a cavity for molding a product, and a pouring basin and a passageway that guide molten metal into the cavity. The passageway includes, at portions thereof positioned below the pouring basin and the cavity, bent portions (a first bent portion, a second bent portion) that change the advancing direction of the molten metal, and the casting mold further includes a cover member, which covers the inner wall of the bent portion, allows the passageway positioned on the upstream side of the bent portion to communicate with the passageway positioned on the downstream side of the bent portion, and has a lower thermal conductivity than the base material of the mold.

Abstract: An optical selector includes: an optical waveguide which includes a first light guide section having a first refractive index, a second light guide section having a second refractive index provided to the side of and along the entire circumference of the first light guide section, and a reflector provided at opposing positions on both surfaces of each of the first and second light guide sections while exposing the outer circumferential surface of the second light guide section; a single or plurality of LDs that are placed on the outer circumference of the optical waveguide, and emit light toward the first light guide section; and a single or plurality of photodetectors that are placed on the outer circumference of the optical waveguide, and receive light emitted from the outer circumference of the optical waveguide.

Abstract: A method of obtaining directivity in an optical waveguide includes the steps of falling incident light on surface of diffuse reflection members arranged at a center portion of the optical waveguide, generating a first table relative to an amount of emitted light that is acquired at a circumference of the optical waveguide by controlling at least one of an image control factor for changing an image of the incident light and a coordinate control factor for changing coordinates of the incident light with them being changed, and generating a second table relative to a pattern of the light which is incident to the diffuse reflection member by seeking for a combination of the image and the coordinates of the light based on the generated first table.

Abstract: An optical selector switch contains an optical waveguide that includes a first optical waveguide portion having a first light-transmissivity, a second optical waveguide portion having a second light-transmissivity, reflecting members that reflect light, and a light-dividing device that reflects and transmits light; at least one light-emitting unit that emits the light toward the first optical waveguide portion of the optical waveguide; and at least one light-receiving unit that receives the light which is incident to the first optical waveguide portion of the optical waveguide from the light-emitting unit, based on a directivity due to an angle of the incident light to the first optical waveguide portion of the optical waveguide, wherein the incident light to the first optical waveguide portion is emitted radially toward the circumference of the second optical waveguide portion of the optical waveguide.

Abstract: An optical selector is provided which enables reliable transmission of a signal from a single or plurality of light output sections to a single or plurality of light input sections.

Abstract: An optical selector switch contains an optical waveguide that includes a first optical waveguide portion having a first light-transmissivity, a second optical waveguide portion having a second light-transmissivity, reflecting members that reflect light, and a light-dividing device that reflects and transmits light; at least one light-emitting unit that emits the light toward the first optical waveguide portion of the optical waveguide; and at least one light-receiving unit that receives the light which is incident to the first optical waveguide portion of the optical waveguide from the light-emitting unit, based on a directivity due to an angle of the incident light to the first optical waveguide portion of the optical waveguide, wherein the incident light to the first optical waveguide portion is emitted radially toward the circumference of the second optical waveguide portion of the optical waveguide.

Abstract: A method of obtaining directivity in an optical waveguide includes the steps of falling incident light on surface of diffuse reflection members arranged at a center portion of the optical waveguide, generating a first table relative to an amount of emitted light that is acquired at a circumference of the optical waveguide by controlling at least one of an image control factor for changing an image of the incident light and a coordinate control factor for changing coordinates of the incident light with them being changed, and generating a second table relative to a pattern of the light which is incident to the diffuse reflection member by seeking for a combination of the image and the coordinates of the light based on the generated first table.