Abstract: The operation management system manages an operation of a line composed of a plurality of cooperating work subjects. The operation management system performs: setting, for each work subject, an intensity that decreases at a speed corresponding to a work speed, recovers by a recovery action, and is given a lower limit value; receiving a target handling plan for the line; creating an operation plan including at least the working speed and a timing of the recovery action by using a simulation model obtained by modeling the line so that the target handling plan is achieved while maintaining the intensity of each work subject at the lower limit value or more; and allowing the intensity of each work subject to temporarily decrease to less than the lower limit value in creation of the operation plan in response to the target handling plan exceeding a predetermined reference value.

Abstract: A digital twin simulation is performed. In this simulation, combinations of workers and mounting fixtures worn by the workers are assigned to each of multiple works to be performed in a work line of a digital space based on data related to work contents of the multiple works to be performed in the work line of a real space, and data related to multiple workers arranged in the work line and data related to mounting fixtures worn by the multiple workers. Then, based on the assigned combinations, a group of combinations of the multiple workers and the mounting fixtures worn by the respective multiple workers in a case where a reference condition is satisfied are searched.

Abstract: A work line includes: a first work carried out by a first target worker; and a second work carried out by a second target worker on a resultant product of the first work. A first model motion is a model motion when the first target worker passes the resultant product of the first work to the second target worker. A second model motion is a model motion when the second target worker receives the resultant product of the first work from the first target worker. When the first target worker carries out the first work in a virtual space, a simulation system draws a first model worker performing the first model motion in the virtual space. When the second target worker carries out the second work in the virtual space, the simulation system draws a second model worker performing the second model motion in the virtual space.

Abstract: A simulation system simulates a predetermined work in a virtual space. A comment database indicates a correspondence relationship between a comment created by a reference worker regarding the predetermined work and a characteristic of the reference worker. The simulation system acquires information on a model motion that serves as a model when carrying out the predetermined work. The simulation system acquires information on a characteristic of a target worker carrying out the predetermined work. The simulation system extracts the comment associated with the characteristic of the reference worker corresponding to the characteristic of the target worker, based on the comment database. When the target worker carries out the predetermined work in the virtual space, the simulation system draws a model worker performing the model motion in the virtual space and presents the extracted comment to the target worker.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved elastic material which is free of roller abrasion when used in development rollers and overcomes disadvantages of the conventional silicone rollers of deterioration in the abrasion resistance, an elastic roller employing such elastic materials, and an electrophotographic apparatus and electrostatic recording apparatus incorporating such rollers. The elastic material satisfies a relationship represented by the following equation: log{(Tb·Eb)?1}??0.0011(Hd)2+0.1154(Hd)?5.6 where Tb is the tensile strength (N/mm2), Eb is the tension fracture elongation (%) and Hd is the Asker C hardness (°). Further, the present invention provides a novel developer carrier for use with an imaging apparatus and an imaging apparatus incorporating the developer carrier. The developer carrier includes an electrically conductive elastic layer and is arranged in contact with, or in the proximity of, an imaging body.

Abstract: A developing roller supports a one-component developer on a surface thereof in the form of a thin layer, and is brought in contact with or in proximity to an image forming body in such a state, to supply the developer on a surface of the image forming body, thereby allowing a visible image to be formed on the surface of the image forming body. The developing roller includes: an elastic layer having an ionically conductivity whose surface is imparted with a resin component having a high resistivity. Thus, if R1 is a resistance of the roller in a stationary state and R2 is a resistance of the roller in a rotational state, a relationship of R1>R2 is established. With this developing roller, it is possible to obtain a high quality image and a high gradient.

Abstract: A toner-carrying roller such as a developing roller having a surface gloss of 2 or above, with the surface gloss of the black glass standard plate having a reflective index of 1.567 (according to DIN 67 530) being 100. The toner-carrying roller provides high-quality images free of density variation and fogging owing to its surface characteristics specified by the surface gloss. In addition, it keeps its good performance without deterioration in image quality for a long period of use.

Abstract: A developing roller is adapted to carry a developer on its surface and come in contact with or close to a photoconductor drum having an electrostatic latent image borne on its surface whereby the developer is supplied to the drum to visualize the latent image. The developing roller includes a highly conductive shaft and an elastic layer with conductivity formed around the shaft. The elastic layer is surface treated so as to have a resin component which contains a urea resin and/or melamine resin. The roller satisfies log(R.sub.2 /R.sub.1).ltoreq.4.5 wherein the untreated roller has a resistance R.sub.1 and the roller with the resin component has a resistance R.sub.2. The developing roller does not contaminate the photoconductor drum and ensures that images of quality are reproduced without a density variation and background fog over a long time.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hydrogen occluding alloy exhibiting high hydrogen absorption and desorption rates, and excellent initial activation in practical use, and a method of making it. There is provided a hydrogen occluding alloy having a composition comprising, by wt %, 32 to 38% of rare earth elements essentially consisting of La and/or Ce, 0.5 to 3.5% of Al, 0.5 to 10% of Mn, 0.005 to 0.5% of hydrogen, optionally 0.1 to 17% of Co, and the balance being Ni and unavoidable impurities; wherein the alloy has a microstructure characterized in that fine rare earth element hydride is dispersively distributed in a matrix having a CaCu.sub.5 -type crystal structure in a ratio of 0.5 to 20% by area. There are also provided electrodes and batteries containing such alloys, and methods of making and using such electrodes and batteries.

Abstract: A developing roller (1) includes a highly conductive shaft (2) and a conductive elastic layer (3). When the developing roller carring a one-component developer thereon comes in contact with or in proximity to an image forming body, the developer is supplied from the roller to a surface of the image forming body, thereby forming a visible image on the image forming body surface. The elastic layer (3) has applied to its surface a resin component having an elongation at rupture of less than 10% as measured according to JIS K7113. The developing roller ensures that images of high quality are reproduced without a drop of image density over a long period of time.

Abstract: A developing roller (1) having a highly conductive shaft (2), an elastic layer (3) having conductivity around the shaft, and a conductive layer (4) on the elastic layer containing carbon black having an oil absorption of 30-80 ml/100 g and a specific surface area of 30-150 m.sup.2 /g. The developing roller carries a developer on its surface and comes in contact with or close to a photoconductor drum having an electrostatic latent image borne on its surface whereby the developer is supplied to the photoconductor drum to visualize the latent image. The developing roller has a low hardness, ensures intimate contact with the photoconductor drum, and is improved in electric conduction stability and anti-staining so that acceptable images can be consistently produced over a long term.

Abstract: A developing roller (1) having a thin layer of a developer (4) carried thereon and a drum (3) bearing an electrostatic latent image on its surface are rotated in close relationship, thereby feeding the developer (4) to the surface of the drum (3) for visualizing the electrostatic latent image thereon. The ionization potential of the developing roller (1) surface is adjusted to be below the ionization potential of the developer (4) surface when the developer is charged negative and above the ionization potential of the developer (4) surface when the developer is charged positive. The developer has an ionization potential of 4.5-5.5 eV. When using negatively charged developer, the development roller should preferably contain a lubricant or non-ionic surfactant and should preferably be made of a polyurethane containing a polyisocyanate so as to obtain the desired ionization potential.

Abstract: A corrosion-resistant amorphous alloy containing Ta in an amount of from 10 to 40 atomic % and Mo, Cr, W, P, B and/or Si is disclosed.This alloy can be prepared by rapidly cooling and solidifying molten alloy, shows a satisfactory corrosion resistance in high-temperature concentrated phosphoric acid, and is adapted to be used as a plant structural material or a separator for a fuel cell.

Abstract: An object, typically photoconductor drum is electrically charged by placing a contact charger member in abutment with the object to be charged and applying voltage between the contact charger member and the object. Charging is effected by properly controlling the capacitance of the contact charger member, the capacitance of the object, and the applied voltage. A sufficient charged potential is achieved through the application of a relatively low voltage, while preventing ozone generation.

Abstract: A developing roller comprising a conductive layer formed around a shaft carries a non-magnetic one-component developer on its outer surface to form a thin film of the developer and contacts a photoconductor drum having an electrostatic latent image borne on its surface whereby the latent image is developed to form a toner image. In one embodiment, the surface of the conductive layer has a DIN 4776 core roughness depth Rk of 0.5-3.5 .mu.m in a circumferential direction of the roller, and the ratio of circumferential Rk to axial Rk is greater than 1.0. In another embodiment, the surface of the conductive layer is provided with microscopic ridges and recesses which are alternately disposed in a rotational direction to define wavy streaks having a longitudinal direction substantially aligned with an axial direction of the roller.

Abstract: A nickel-based alloy which is excellent not only in anti-corrosion properties but also in workability is disclosed. The alloy contains 15 to 35 weight % of chromium; 6 to 24 weight % of molybdenum; wherein the sum of chromium plus molybdenum is no greater than 43 weight %; 1.1 to 8 weight % of tantalum; and balance nickel and unavoidable impurities. The alloy may optionally include no greater than 0.1 weight % of nitrogen; no greater than 0.3 weight % of magnesium, no greater than 3 weight % of manganese, no greater than 0.3 weight % of silicon, no greater than 0.1 weight % of carbon, no greater than 6 weight % of iron, no greater than 0.1 weight % of zirconium, no greater than 0.01 weight % of calcium, no greater than 1 weight % of niobium, no greater than 4 weight % of tungsten, no greater than 4 weight % of copper, no greater than 0.8 weight % of titanium, no greater than 0.8 weight % of aluminum, no greater than 5 weight % of cobalt, no greater than 0.

Abstract: An electric charging member and electric charging apparatus are described, including the surface of the charging member being formed of a resin layer including a nylon copolymer containing at least 15% by weight of nylon 12 or a urethane-modified acrylic resin containing 5-80% by weight of an acrylic resin component.

Abstract: A developing roller includes a metal shaft and a conductive resilient sleeve surrounding the shaft and made of a urethane elastomer containing carbon black with at least pH 5. The developing roller is mounted in an electrophotographic apparatus in combination with a latent image-bearing photoreceptor wherein development is carried out using a non-magnetic single-component toner.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photoreceptor is disclosed. The photoreceptor comprises a conductive layer and provided thereon, a photoreceptor layer comprising a carrier generation layer containing 100 parts by weight of a polycyclic quinone compound and 0.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photoreceptors containing a bisstyryl compound represented by the following formula I is disclosed. ##STR1## R.sup.0 and/or R.sup.00 represent methyl group, and the rest of Rs represent hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and Ar.sup.1 and Ar.sup.2 represent each an aromatic group.