Abstract: A method is disclosed for performing rework soldering for removing an electronic component from a printed circuit board and re-soldering the electronic component to the printed circuit board. The method includes the steps of positioning a dual structure body including a heating member and a cooling member between a rework target and a non-rework target placed on the printed circuit board, the heating member and the cooling member being arranged facing each other with a slight space provided therebetween, the heating member being situated toward the rework target, the cooling member being situated toward the non-rework target; heating the heating member; and cooling the cooling member.

Abstract: An alignment tool includes a holding member designed to hold parallel optical fibers. A first movable member is coupled to the holding member for relative movement. The first movable member is designed to hold one of the optical fibers. A second movable member is located for a movement relative to the first movable member. The second movable member is designed to hold another one of the optical fibers. The second movable member is capable of moving relative to the first movable member. The interval can be changed between the optical fibers held on the first and second movable members in response to the relative movement of the second movable member. In this case, the predetermined interval can be kept between the optical fibers on the holding member.

Abstract: An optical module including a substrate, a plurality of optical components mounted on the substrate, and a plurality of first optical fibers connected to the optical components. The optical module further includes a fiber sheet including a first resin sheet having an adhesive layer on one side, a plurality of second optical fibers wired on the adhesive layer of the first resin sheet, and a second resin sheet attached to the first resin sheet so that the second optical fibers are sandwiched between the first and second resin sheets. The second optical fibers of the fiber sheet project from between the first and second resin sheets and are connected to the first optical fibers by fusion splicing.

Abstract: A fiber sheet including a first resin sheet having an adhesive layer on one side, first and second optical fibers wired on the adhesive layer of the first resin sheet so as to cross each other, and a plurality of spacers scattered on the adhesive layer of the first resin sheet. The fiber sheet further includes a second resin sheet attached to the first resin sheet so that the first and second optical fibers and the spacers are sandwiched between the first and second resin sheets. Preferably, each spacer is a spherical spacer.

Abstract: An optical fiber splicer for splicing a plurality of first optical fibers arranged in spaced relationship with each other and a plurality of second optical fibers arranged in opposed relationship with the first optical fibers. The optical fiber splicer includes an XY table movable in XY directions orthogonal to each other, a tray mounted on the XY table, and first and second clamps for respectively clamping a selected one of the first optical fibers and a selected one of the second optical fibers to be spliced to the selected first optical fiber. The optical fiber splicer further includes first and second electrodes extending vertically and aligned with each other, first and second cameras located so as to interpose the first electrode, and an image processing unit for processing images picked up by the first and second cameras.

Abstract: An optical fiber edge surface processing method has the steps of capturing a transmitted-light image of end portions of two optical fibers placed facing each other, and extracting, based on a brightness distribution in the transmitted-light image, edge surface information of each of the two optical fibers to be spliced together; selecting a discharge condition corresponding to the edge surface information from among a plurality of discharge conditions prestored in a storage unit; and melting the splicing edge surfaces of the two optical fibers in accordance with the selected discharge condition, and thereby shaping the splicing edge surfaces. With this method, splice loss can be reduced in a simple manner, even when the edge surface angle of each optical fiber, or the relative edge surface angle between the two optical fibers, or the amount of chipping at the splicing cross section of each optical fiber, is large.

Abstract: An optical fiber splicer for splicing a plurality of first optical fibers arranged in spaced relationship with each other and a plurality of second optical fibers arranged in opposed relationship with the first optical fibers. The optical fiber splicer includes an XY table movable in XY directions orthogonal to each other, a tray mounted on the XY table, and first and second clamps for respectively clamping a selected one of the first optical fibers and a selected one of the second optical fibers to be spliced to the selected first optical fiber. The optical fiber splicer further includes first and second electrodes extending vertically and aligned with each other, first and second cameras located so as to interpose the first electrode, and an image processing unit for processing images picked up by the first and second cameras.

Abstract: An optical module including a substrate, a plurality of optical components mounted on the substrate, and a plurality of first optical fibers connected to the optical components. The optical module further includes a fiber sheet including a first resin sheet having an adhesive layer on one side, a plurality of second optical fibers wired on the adhesive layer of the first resin sheet, and a second resin sheet attached to the first resin sheet so that the second optical fibers are sandwiched between the first and second resin sheets. The second optical fibers of the fiber sheet project from between the first and second resin sheets and are connected to the first optical fibers by fusion splicing.

Abstract: A fiber sheet including a first resin sheet having an adhesive layer on one side, first and second optical fibers wired on the adhesive layer of the first resin sheet so as to cross each other, and a plurality of spacers scattered on the adhesive layer of the first resin sheet. The fiber sheet further includes a second resin sheet attached to the first resin sheet so that the first and second optical fibers and the spacers are sandwiched between the first and second resin sheets. Preferably, each spacer is a spherical spacer.

Abstract: An assembly line for assembling a product by a series of operations comprises a conveyer body assembly which includes a plurality of conveyer body units. Each unit has an assembly area for carrying out a predetermined process for producing a product to be assembled and forms a minimal unit which takes charge of a part of the series of operations. The conveyer body assembly is formed by connecting an arbitrary number of conveyer body units greater than or equal to two, which makes it possible to cope with any change in the production plan or the like with a high flexibility.

Abstract: Described is a water-dispersible paste composition of metal powder which contains:(a) metal powders, and;(b) from 0.1 to 20% by weight, based on the weight of the metal powders, of at least one organic phosphoric ester having a general formula [I]: ##STR1## wherein R represents an alkyl group having 6 to 24 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 6 to 24 carbon atoms or an aryl group containing at least one alkyl substituent having 6 to 24 carbon atoms or at least one alkenyl substituent having 6 to 24 carbon atoms, A represents an alkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, m represents an integer of from 0 to 20, and R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 independently represent hydrogen, an alkyl group having 1 to 24 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 2 to 24 carbon atoms, an aryl group having 6 to 24 carbon atoms or R--(OA).sub.m (R, A and m are the same as set forth above).

Abstract: Described is a water-dispersible paste composition of metal powder which contains:(a) metal powders, and;(b) from 0.1 to 20% by weight, based on the weight of the metal powders, of at least one organic phosphoric ester having a general formula [I]: ##STR1## wherein R represents an alkyl group having 6 to 24 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 6 to 24 carbon atoms or an aryl group containing at least one alkyl substituent having 6 to 24 carbon atoms or at least one alkenyl substituent having 6 to 24 carbon atoms, A represents an alkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, m represents an integer of from 0 to 20, and R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 independently represent hydrogen, an alkyl group having 1 to 24 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 1 to 24 carbon atoms, an aryl group having 6 to 24 carbon atoms or R--(OA).sub.m (R, A and m are the same as set forth above).

Abstract: Novel metal flake pigments suitable for use in coating compositions, which have a good filtration property and good dispersion stability, and which produce coatings having good specular gloss, sharpness of image and hiding power, are presented. These metal flake powders contain metal flakes, between which no substantial aggregation is formed and which have a specific surface area, determined by a BET method, of 65 through 250 m.sup.2 /cm.sup.3, and have such a particle size distribution that at least 99.5% of the flakes pass through a screen having an opening size of 20 microns and at least 90% of the flakes pass through a screen having an opening size of 5 microns. These metal flakes are produced by wet milling small metal pieces or particulates in the presence of a milling aid, including higher fatty acids and the derivatives thereof, in an amount sufficient to cover the surfaces of the metal flakes in a bi-molecule layer.

Abstract: A novel aqueous aluminum paste composition comprising specific amounts of a fatty acid, a fatty acid alkanolamide and a nonionic surface active agent other than the fatty acid alkanolamide as well as aluminum flakes, and water. The aqueous aluminum paste composition is well dispersible and stably storable in water and has good bubble retention characteristics when used as a foaming agent in the manufacture of light-weight foamed concrete.