Abstract: A laser-sinterable resin powder, which retains properties of styrene resins such as impact resistance and low water absorption and shows sharp decrease of melt viscosity similarly to crystalline resins at a temperature not lower than the glass transition temperature can be made of a thermoplastic resin composition containing 10-80 mass % of a crystalline resin (A) with a melting point of 80-250° C. and 20-90 mass % of a styrene resin (B), and having a 50% average particle diameter of 10-100 ?m. The Component (A) is preferably a polyolefin resin. The Component (B) is preferably a rubber-reinforced styrene resin composition, wherein the rubber component is preferably an ethylene-?-olefin copolymer rubber and/or a hydrogenated product of a diene rubber. The laser-sinterable powder preferably has a melt flow rate of 5-500 g/10 min.

Abstract: The purpose of the invention is to provide a solid model creation apparatus that is small in size and inexpensive. A multiplicity of blue LEDs are prepared, optical fibers are connected thereto, and GRIN lenses are arranged at the ends of the tips of the respective optical fibers to constitute an exposing head 23. The exposing head 23 forms images of the end faces of the respective optical fibers in a photocurable resin exposure region 24 as light spots 55. The diameter of a light spot 55 is, for example, 0.5 mm, but the size of a pixel 71 within the exposure region 24 is much smaller; for example, 62.5&mgr;. The multiplicity of optical fibers at the exposing head 23 are arrayed in a matrix such that they are displaced in staggered fashion so that respective light spots 55 are lined up at the pitch 62.5&mgr; of the pixels 71 in the primary scan (Y-axis) direction.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for solidifying and shaping fluid which can be optically cured, including (a) an optically scanning device for scanning a level of fluid which can be optically cured, with a light beam, (b) a sinking device for sinking a layer having been cured by scanning carried out by the optically scanning device, below a level of the fluid, and (c) a recoat device for covering a cured layer having been sunk in the step (b), with a fluid which is not yet cured. The recoat device is formed with a recoater blade which horizontally moves above a level of the cured layer with a predetermined gap kept therebetween to smooth a level of the not yet cured fluid. The optically scanning device scans a level of not yet cured fluid having been smoothed by the recoater blade, with a light beam, simultaneously with scanning of the optically scanning device.

Abstract: An electrostatic actuator according to the present invention includes a first member having a plurality of striped electrodes insulated from one another and arranged in a prescribed direction with a prescribed spacing between them, a second member having a plurality of striped electrodes insulated from one another and arranged in a prescribed direction with a prescribed spacing between them, and continuous-waveform polyphase AC power supplies applied to the electrodes of the first member and the electrodes of the second member, one or both of the first member and second member being moved by an electrostatic coulomb force between the first member and the second member.

Abstract: An electrostatic actuator incorporates a sensor for detecting both position and the state of distribution of charges and is efficiently driven in high-speed operation. A first member has a plurality of driving electrodes thereon, each having the shape of a strip, a second member is placed in contact with the first member, and a control means is provided for changing the voltages applied to the driving electrodes to produce relative movement of the first member and the second member. Detecting electrodes are arranged on the first member at predetermined phases, independently of the driving electrodes, and a detecting unit detects the position of the second member and the state of charges induced on the second member, through the detection of electric signals induced in the detecting electrodes by the charges distributed on the second member.

Abstract: An electrostatic actuator according to the present invention includes a first member having a plurality of striped electrodes insulated from one another and arranged in a prescribed direction with a prescribed spacing between them, a second member having a plurality of striped electrodes insulated from one another and arranged in a prescribed direction with a prescribed spacing between them, and continuous-waveform polyphase AC power supplies applied to the electrodes of the first member and the electrodes of the second member, one or both of the first member and second member being moved by an electrostatic coulomb force between the first member and the second member.