Abstract: This precursor sheet for a fuel cell separator comprises a conductive substrate sheet, a dense layer including first graphite particles, and a conduction layer including second graphite particles, wherein the dense layer and the conduction layer include a resin, the first graphite particles have a volume resistivity of 20 m?·cm or greater and a bulk density of 1.7 g/cm3 or greater when compressed at 30 MPa, and the second graphite particles have a volume resistivity of less than 20 m?·cm and a bulk density of 1.5 g/cm3 or greater when compressed at 30 MPa. This precursor sheet for a fuel cell separator provides a fuel cell separator that has excellent shapability and good mechanical strength, conductivity, and gas impermeability.

Abstract: Provided is a substrate holder pair comprising a first substrate holder that has a first holding portion holding a first substrate; a second substrate holder that has a second holding portion holding a second substrate to be bonded with the first substrate and that, together with the first substrate holder, sandwiches the first substrate and the second substrate; an engaging member that causes the first substrate holder to engage with the second substrate holder; and a dust inhibiting section inhibits dust generated by the engaging of the engaging member from entering between the first holding portion and the second holding portion.

Abstract: An electrode tool for electrochemical machining includes a machining electrode surface (1a). The machining electrode surface (1a) includes a conductive pattern defined by lands (3) and grooves (3a) that are formed by groove machining the electrode surface (1a). The machining electrode surface (1a) is then molded with a hard insulating resin layer (4), and a surface of the hard insulating resin layer (4) is mechanically polished to expose the lands (3) of the conductive pattern. The lands (3) are chemically dissolved to obtain a conductive pattern (14) having a surface that is formed below a resulting insulating resin surface (2), with the height difference between the two surfaces being between 1 and 5 ?m. The electrode tool allows precise surface machining of work pieces and can withstand prolonged use.

Abstract: An electrochemical machining tool (1) for electrochemical machining includes an electrode body (11). The electrochemical machining tool (1) and associated method can conduct simultaneous electrochemical machining of at least two of a radial dynamic pressure generating groove (43), an axial dynamic pressure generating groove (44), and a removal of a burr (42) associated with an oil pool (41). Electrochemical machining is performed with groove machining electrodes (12, 13) and deburring electrodes (14). A sleeve (4) machined using the electrochemical machining tool (1) and associated method has the radial dynamic pressure generating groove (43), the axial dynamic pressure generating groove (44), and the deburred oil pool (41). The sleeve (4) can be used in a hydrodynamic pressure bearing for use in a spindle motor of a hard disk drive.

Abstract: An electrode tool for electrochemical machining includes a machining electrode surface (1a). The machining electrode surface (1a) includes a conductive pattern defined by lands (3) and grooves (3a) that are formed by groove machining the electrode surface (1a). The machining electrode surface (1a) is then molded with a hard insulating resin layer (4), and a surface of the hard insulating resin layer (4) is mechanically polished to expose the lands (3) of the conductive pattern. The lands (3) are chemically dissolved to obtain a conductive pattern (14) having a surface that is formed below a resulting insulating resin surface (2), with the height difference between the two surfaces being between 1 and 5 pm. The electrode tool allows precise surface machining of work pieces and can withstand prolonged use.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a fluid dynamic pressure groove in a fluid dynamic pressure bearing including a mechanism for positioning and securing multiple workpieces to be machined to their respective machining devices; a mechanism for imparting an electrochemical dissolving effect to each target surface of the multiple workpieces to be machined, each of these workpieces serving as a part of the fluid dynamic pressure bearing; and a mechanism for forming at least one fluid dynamic pressure groove on each target surface of the multiple workpieces to be machined. The groove has a specified shape, dimension and surface condition. The same electrolyte is directed from a common electrolyte tank to each machining device used on the multiple workpieces.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a fluid dynamic pressure groove in a fluid dynamic pressure bearing is provided. The method is accomplished by initially positioning and securing multiple workpieces to be machined to their respective machining devices. An electrochemical dissolving effect is imparted to each target surface of the multiple workpieces and then at least one fluid dynamic pressure groove is formed on each target surface of the multiple workpieces. Each groove may have a specified shape, dimension and surface condition. An electrolyte is directed from a common electrolyte tank to each of the machining devices used on the multiple workpieces.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a fluid dynamic pressure groove in a fluid dynamic pressure bearing. The method is accomplished by imparting an electrochemical dissolving effect to each machined surface of multiple workpieces, each of these workpieces serving as a part of the fluid dynamic pressure bearing and forming at least one fluid dynamic pressure grove on each machined surface. Each groove may have a specified shape, dimension and surface condition. The same electrolyte is directed from a common electrolyte tank to each machining device used on the multiple workpieces.

Abstract: A traveling apparatus which can travel on a flat ground and on stairs is disclosed. The traveling apparatus is comprising a pair of left and right crawler units arranged on either one of a front portion and a rear portion below a body, a crawler unit arranged on the other one of the front portion and the rear portion, a wheel arranged at the center between the pair of left and right crawler units, and a pair of wheels arranged left and right with respect to the crawler unit. Here the wheels are arranged to move up and down relative to the crawler units.