Abstract: This spin-orbit torque type magnetization rotational element (10) is provided with: a spin-orbit torque wiring (2); a first ferromagnetic layer (1) that is laminated on the spin-orbit torque wiring; a first nonmagnetic metal layer (3) and a second nonmagnetic metal layer (4) that are connected to the spin-orbit torque wiring at positions flanking the first ferromagnetic layer in a plan view from the second direction, and a first insulating layer (31) surrounding the spin-orbit torque wiring, wherein the gravity center (G) of the first ferromagnetic layer is positioned on a side closer to the first nonmagnetic metal layer or the second nonmagnetic metal layer than is a reference point (S) located at the center between the first and second nonmagnetic metal layers in the first direction, and the first insulating layer is any one selected from the group consisting of silicon nitride, aluminum nitride, aluminum oxide, and magnesium oxide.

Abstract: In a forward movement, an article is conveyed to a printing device via a transfer position while being kept mounted in a first holder for printing by the printing device. The article is returned to the transfer position together with the first holder after printing. An article to be printed after the above article is mounted into a second holder in parallel with at least a part of the forward movement, the printing and a return movement. This is capable of printing on the articles in a short throughput time also when the articles are those having a three-dimensional shape such as bottles and in-vehicle components.

Abstract: In a forward movement, an article is conveyed to a printing device via a transfer position while being kept mounted in a first holder for printing by the printing device. The article is returned to the transfer position together with the first holder after printing. An article to be printed after the above article is mounted into a second holder in parallel with at least a part of the forward movement, the printing and a return movement. This is capable of printing on the articles in a short throughput time also when the articles are those having a three-dimensional shape such as bottles and in-vehicle components.

Abstract: A carrier and a substrate are aligned even if an imager cannot be simultaneously focused on alignment marks formed on both the carrier and the substrate. Center of gravity positions G1m of an alignment pattern element AP1 on a substrate and G2m of an alignment pattern element AP2 on a transparent blanket are calculated by image processing from an image IM imaged via the blanket by a CCD camera. The position of the center of gravity Gm2 is specified by a process associated with edge extraction from the image imaged with the alignment pattern element AP2 on the blanket being in focus. High spatial frequency components are removed and low frequency components are extracted for the alignment pattern element AP1 on the substrate imaged out of focus to have a blurred outline, and the position of the center of gravity G1m is specified from an extraction result.

Abstract: The supply of a negative pressure to an opening P(+1) adjacent to an opening P(0) is stopped by switching a suction valve connected to the opening P(+1) from an open state to a closed state while keeping a positive pressure valve connected thereto closed. Then, near the opening P(+1), a force for holding a blanket becomes gradually weaker against a pressure force in a pressurized space. Associated with that, an air component in the pressurized space flows into a space between a portion of the blanket vertically above the opening P(+1) and an upper surface, whereby the blanket portion is lifted from the upper surface and brought into contact with the lower surface of a printing plate. In this way, a contact area is slowly and stably widened while a sudden change of a pressure in the pressurized space SP5 is suppressed.

Abstract: A print section patterns a coating layer to form a pattern layer on a carrier and then transfers the pattern layer to a substrate. A controller obtains a first carrier thickness by measuring the thickness of the carrier carrying the coating layer and adjusts a gap between the carrier carrying the coating layer and the printing plate based on the first carrier thickness immediately before the coating layer is patterned. The controller also obtains a second carrier thickness by measuring the thickness of the carrier carrying the pattern layer and adjusts a gap between the carrier carrying the pattern layer and the substrate based on the second carrier thickness immediately before the pattern layer is transferred.

Abstract: The supply of a negative pressure to an opening P(+1) adjacent to an opening P(0) is stopped by switching a suction valve connected to the opening P(+1) from an open state to a closed state while keeping a positive pressure valve connected thereto closed. Then, near the opening P(+1), a force for holding a blanket becomes gradually weaker against a pressure force in a pressurized space. Associated with that, an air component in the pressurized space flows into a space between a portion of the blanket vertically above the opening P(+1) and an upper surface, whereby the blanket portion is lifted from the upper surface and brought into contact with the lower surface of a printing plate. In this way, a contact area is slowly and stably widened while a sudden change of a pressure in the pressurized space SP5 is suppressed.

Abstract: A print section patterns a coating layer to form a pattern layer on a carrier and then transfers the pattern layer to a substrate. A controller obtains a first carrier thickness by measuring the thickness of the carrier carrying the coating layer and adjusts a gap between the carrier carrying the coating layer and the printing plate based on the first carrier thickness immediately before the coating layer is patterned. The controller also obtains a second carrier thickness by measuring the thickness of the carrier carrying the pattern layer and adjusts a gap between the carrier carrying the pattern layer and the substrate based on the second carrier thickness immediately before the pattern layer is transferred.

Abstract: A carrier and a substrate are aligned even if an imager cannot be simultaneously focused on alignment marks formed on both the carrier and the substrate. Center of gravity positions G1m of an alignment pattern element AP1 on a substrate and G2m of an alignment pattern element AP2 on a transparent blanket are calculated by image processing from an image IM imaged via the blanket by a CCD camera. The position of the center of gravity Gm2 is specified by a process associated with edge extraction from the image imaged with the alignment pattern element AP2 on the blanket being in focus. High spatial frequency components are removed and low frequency components are extracted for the alignment pattern element AP1 on the substrate imaged out of focus to have a blurred outline, and the position of the center of gravity G1m is specified from an extraction result.

Abstract: A second plate is disposed opposing to a first plate. The second plate is supported by three supporting members which are disposed in a circle about a central axis. The supporting members are provided with extensible portions, respectively and are arranged to be able to extend and contract in a moving direction. A control unit drives to extend and to contract the extensible portions independently to displace the second plate in the moving direction at the supporting portion at which the supporting members support the second plate. Hence, the relative tilt of the second plate relative to the first plate is corrected.

Abstract: A substrate transfer apparatus provided with a first substrate transfer mechanism having a first substrate holding hand which is movable while holding a substrate; and a second substrate transfer mechanism having a second substrate holding hand for receiving and transferring a substrate directly from and to the first substrate holding hand. The apparatus has a positioning mechanism disposed, in a moving passage of a substrate held by the first substrate holding hand, independently from the first substrate transfer mechanism, and having a positioning contact portion for regulating the movement of a substrate such that the substrate is positioned at a predetermined position on the first substrate holding hand.

Abstract: A substrate transfer apparatus provided with a first substrate transfer mechanism having a first substrate holding hand which is movable while holding a substrate; and a second substrate transfer mechanism having a second substrate holding hand for receiving and transferring a substrate directly from and to the first substrate holding hand. The apparatus has a positioning mechanism disposed, in a moving passage of a substrate held by the first substrate holding hand, independently from the first substrate transfer mechanism, and having a positioning contact portion for regulating the movement of a substrate such that the substrate is positioned at a predetermined position on the first substrate holding hand.