Abstract: The fixing apparatus includes a cylindrical film, a nip member in contact with a film inner surface, wherein the nip member extends in a film longitudinal direction; a heater provided in a film hollow portion, a roller forming a nip portion where the recording material is conveyed and heated to fix the image on the recording material; a support member supporting the nip member, wherein a cross section of the support member perpendicular to the film longitudinal direction has a U-shape, and two end portions forming an opening portion in the U-shape support the nip member, an insulation member provided between the two end portions and the nip plate, and a reflection member surrounding the heater between the nip member and the support member, wherein the reflection member reflects the radiation heat of the heater toward the nip member.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing belt that is endless and rotatable in a rotation direction and a nip former stretching the fixing belt. A pressure rotator presses against the nip former via the fixing belt to form a fixing nip between the fixing belt and the pressure rotator, through which a recording medium is conveyed. A separator is disposed downstream from the nip former in a recording medium conveyance direction and stretches the fixing belt. The separator is spaced apart from the pressure rotator via the fixing belt. A presser is interposed between an exit of the fixing nip and an upstream end of the separator in the rotation direction of the fixing belt. The presser comes into contact with an inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt to press the fixing belt against the pressure rotator.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a pressuring member, a fixing frame, a pressuring frame, a pressure changing part, a rotation detecting part and a rotation transmitting part. The pressuring member forms a fixing nip with a fixing member. The fixing frame supports the fixing member. The pressuring frame supports the pressuring member. The pressure changing part changes fixing nip pressure. The rotation transmitting part transmits rotation of the pressuring member to the rotation detecting part. The fixing frame is turnably supported around a fulcrum part provided on the pressuring frame. The pressure changing part turns the fixing frame around the fulcrum part. The rotation transmitting part has a first rotating body and a second rotating body. The first rotating body is provided on a rotation shaft of the pressuring member. The second rotating body is engaged with the first rotating body and rotatably supported around the fulcrum part.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing belt that is endless and rotatable in a rotation direction and a nip former stretching the fixing belt and including an elastic layer as a surface layer. A pressure rotator presses against the nip former via the fixing belt to form a fixing nip between the fixing belt and the pressure rotator, through which a recording medium is conveyed. A presser is disposed downstream from an exit of the fixing nip in a recording medium conveyance direction. The presser brings the fixing belt into contact with the pressure rotator.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing belt that is endless and rotatable in a rotation direction and a nip former stretching the fixing belt. A pressure rotator presses against the nip former via the fixing belt to form a fixing nip between the fixing belt and the pressure rotator, through which a recording medium is conveyed. A presser is disposed downstream from an exit of the fixing nip in the rotation direction of the fixing belt. The presser brings the fixing belt into contact with the pressure rotator. A mover is coupled to the presser to move the presser between a contact position where the presser brings the fixing belt into contact with the pressure rotator and an isolation position where the presser isolates the fixing belt from the pressure rotator.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing belt that is endless and rotatable in a rotation direction and a nip former stretching the fixing belt. A pressure rotator presses against the nip former via the fixing belt to form a fixing nip between the fixing belt and the pressure rotator, through which a recording medium is conveyed. A presser is disposed downstream from an exit of the fixing nip in a recording medium conveyance direction. The presser brings the fixing belt into contact with the pressure rotator. A gap retainer contacts the nip former and is coupled to the presser to retain isolation of the presser from the nip former.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming device, an image density detector, and an output change device configured to cause the image forming device to form a test toner image while cyclically changing a charging power based on a charging change pattern and a developing bias based on a developing change pattern, generate an image density fluctuation pattern of the test toner image in a rotation direction of the latent image bearer, generate a writing change pattern to cyclically change a power of latent image writing based on the image density fluctuation pattern of the test toner image and one of the charging change pattern and a correlative pattern correlated with the charging change pattern. The output change device is configured to cyclically change the power of latent image writing based on the writing change pattern during image formation according to a user command.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a transfer unit configured to transfer a toner image to a recording medium at a transfer nip; a fuser unit configured to heat and pressurize at a fuser nip the recording medium to which the toner image has been transferred by the transfer unit, to fuse the toner image to the recording medium; and a pressing unit configured to press both edge portions of the recording medium in a width direction between the transfer nip and the fuser nip so that a central portion of the recording medium in the width direction becomes lower than the both edge portions of the recording medium in the width direction.

Abstract: In a case where conveyance abnormality of a sheet has occurred on a conveyance passage in course of execution of a print job which uses sheets included in a sheet set including a plurality of sheets with sequentiality stored in a first sheet feed tray and discharges a sheet having been subjected to image formation to a first discharge section of the plurality of discharge sections, conveyance of a causal sheet having caused the conveyance abnormality is stopped, and sheets having been being conveyed on the conveyance passage on an upstream side than the causal sheet are discharged to other discharge section other than the first discharge section. Thereafter, continuously, sheets located before a sheet to be fed first at a time of performing recovery printing after elimination of conveyance abnormality, are fed from the first sheet feed tray, and discharged the sheets to the other discharge section.

Abstract: An image forming device includes: an image forming section configured to form an image onto a recording medium in which sheets are laminated via an adhesive layer; a detection unit configured to detect an amount of an adhesive adhered beyond both edges of the recording medium in a width direction orthogonal to a transport direction; and a control unit configured to calculate a correction amount for correcting an image formation condition for the image forming section on the basis of a difference in the amount of the adhesive on both edges of the recording medium in the width direction detected by the detection unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier that holds an image, which is formed by developing a latent image and which is transferred onto a recording medium, a developing device that is disposed adjacent to the image carrier and that develops the latent image, a light-reflection-type sensing unit that is disposed below the developing device in a vertical direction and that detects the image on the image carrier, and a guiding member that guides the recording medium, which is transported between the developing device and the sensing unit, and that covers an upper side of the sensing unit in the vertical direction in a state where a space is ensured on an optical path of the sensing unit.

Abstract: A sheet conveyance apparatus including an openable member, a first conveyance roller, a second conveyance roller, a holding member, an urging member, and a reduction portion is provided. The first conveyance roller is provided in an apparatus body, and the second conveyance roller is provided in the openable member. The holding member rotatably holds the second conveyance roller, and the urging member urges the holding member in a pressing direction. The reduction portion includes a swingable member provided in the openable member and an abut portion provided in the apparatus body, and reduces a force applied to the openable member by the urging member when opening or closing the openable member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes feeding, conveying, and separating members, and detecting, image forming, and control units. The feeding member feeds a recording material placed on a tray. The separating member and the conveying member separate recording materials at a nip. The detecting unit detects that the recording materials have been fed to the nip. The image forming unit forms an image on fed recording material. The control unit switches between a first and second control. Under the first control, the feeding member starts feeding a recording material placed on the tray, and ends feeding before a recording material trailing end passes through the feeding member. Under the second control, the feeding member starts feeding a recording material placed on the tray, and ends feeding after a recording material trailing end passes through the feeding member when the detection unit detects that the recording materials are fed to the nip.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a sheet post-processing apparatus includes: a supporting member configured to support a trailing end portion in a conveying direction of a sheet; a plurality of paddles configured to rotate around a rotating shaft independently from the supporting member, nip and hold the trailing end portion of the sheet in conjunction with the supporting member from both sides in a thickness direction of the sheet, and nip and hold trailing end portions of following sheets, which are stacked on the sheet, one by one from the thickness direction of the trailing end portion, in the plurality of paddles, a length from the rotating shaft to a distal end of a paddle on a far side from the supporting member in a rotating direction being relatively larger than a length from the rotating shaft to a distal end of a paddle on a near side from the supporting member in the rotating direction; and an arm member configured to press a trailing end portion of an uppermost sheet in a stacking direction of the sh

Abstract: A printer includes a casing, a print mechanism disposed inside the casing, and a paper tray. A conveying route extends from the tray to the print mechanism, with a first roller disposed adjacent the tray to feed a sheet from the tray to the conveying route. A second roller is disposed in the conveying route and conveys the sheet fed by the first roller to the print mechanism. A driving source provides a driving source to the first roller and the second roller. A controller is configured to, in response to a printing request, apply the driving force from the driving source to the first and second rollers such that the first and second rollers rotate. In response to a magnitude of a load of the driving source, the controller applies the driving force to the second roller such that the second roller rotates, and the controller does not apply the driving source to the first roller such that the first roller does not rotate.

Abstract: In a drive mechanism, a two-stage gear has an input gear and a sun gear. A planetary gear is engaged with both of outer teeth of the sun gear and inner teeth of a ring gear. A carrier, which is capable of rotating together with a rotational shaft, supports the planetary gear, and outputs drive force. A drive force transmission switching member switches between a connecting state connecting the two-stage gear and the carrier such that they rotate together via the rotational shaft, and a separating state separating the two-stage gear and carrier such that they rotate relative to each other. A one-way clutch allows the ring gear to rotate in one of a pair of opposite directions about the central axis of the rotational shaft, and prohibits the ring gear from rotating in the other one of the pair of opposite directions.

Abstract: A cleaning unit includes a cleaning member that removes a developer from a surface of an image holding member; an accommodating portion that accommodates the removed developer; and a transport member that transports the developer removed by the cleaning member to the accommodating portion, wherein the transport member includes a transport unit that extends in a direction intersecting with a developer transport direction, has a surface formed to be inclined in a direction approaching the cleaning member towards an upstream side, and transports the developer while contacting with the developer.

Abstract: A cleaning device scrapes off and removes toner that has adhered to a surface of a rotating photoreceptor, and includes: a cleaning member formed of an elastic body; a leaf spring member for pressing the cleaning member against the surface of the photoreceptor; and a support portion supporting the leaf spring member. The cleaning member is fixed to one end of the leaf spring member, and the other end of the leaf spring member is fixed to the support portion with a cushioning member formed of an elastic body interposed therebetween. The cushioning member is fixed to the other end of the leaf spring member by an adhesive.

Abstract: A powder collection device includes a transport pipe, a powder collection container supported turnably on a pivot center provided in an attachment part of an apparatus body and removably attached to a position to cover an attachment part of the apparatus body, a pipe-side opening/closing mechanism that opens a discharging port by moving an opening/closing lid in cooperation with an operating member of the powder collection container when the powder collection container is turned to the position to cover the attachment part, and a container-side opening/closing mechanism that opens a collection port by moving a container opening/closing lid in cooperation with an operating member of the transport pipe when the powder collection container is turned to the position to cover the attachment part. The discharging port is disposed on a side of a vertical line including the pivot center different from the apparatus body.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first removable member that includes an image carrying member and that is removably supported with respect to a body of the image forming apparatus; a first guide portion that is provided at a lower surface of the first removable member; a second guide portion that is provided at the first removable member; a first guiding portion that is provided at the body of the image forming apparatus and supports the first guide portion when the first removable member is placed on the first guiding portion; and a second guiding portion that is provided at the body of the image forming apparatus, in which, when the first removable member moves in a mounting direction from a state in which the first guide portion is supported by the first guiding portion, the second guiding portion contacts the second guide portion and guides the second guide portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material includes: a main assembly to which a cartridge including an image bearing member on which a latent image is formed and including a developing device for developing the latent image on the image bearing member is detachably mountable; and a transfer unit, detachably mountable to the main assembly separately from the cartridge, for transferring a developer image formed on the image bearing member. The developing device includes a developer carrying member and is movable between a contact position where the developer carrying member is contacted to the image bearing member and a spaced position where the developer carrying member is spaced from the image bearing member. The transfer unit includes a developing device contact-and-separation mechanism for moving the developing device between the contact position and the spaced position.

Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a casing configured to store developer; a developing roller configured to rotate about a first axis extending in a first direction; a shaft provided at one end of the casing in the first direction; and an electrode configured to rotate about the shaft and supply power to the developing roller. The shaft extends in the first direction and has a peripheral surface. The electrode has a first protrusion configured to rotate together with the electrode, the first protrusion extending along a portion of the peripheral surface of the shaft.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a frame and a cartridge attachable thereto. The cartridge includes a casing, a storage medium including an electrical contact surface, and a holder positioned at one side of the casing in a first direction. The holder includes a first outer surface holding the electrical contact surface. The first outer surface is movable relative to the casing in a second direction. The frame includes first and second guide surfaces, an electrical contact configured to contact the electrical contact surface, and a support surface. A gap distance between the first and second guide surfaces in the second direction is reduced from a first distance to a second distance in an inserting direction. The electrical contact is positioned farther from an insertion opening of the frame than the first guide surface. A gap distance between the electrical contact and the support surface is greater than the second distance.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises a photosensitive drum, a developing cartridge and a frame. The developing cartridge comprises a casing, a developing roller, a storage medium having an electrical contact surface and a holder holding the electrical contact surface on the first external surface. The frame has an electrical contact. The electrical contact is contact with the electrical contact surface of the developing cartridge in a state that the developing cartridge is attached to the frame. The casing is movable relative to the holder in a separating direction in which the developing roller separates from the photosensitive drum in a state that the electrical contact surface is in contact with the electrical contact.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus with a detachable fixing device that is capable of printing with high quality without printing wastefully. A storage unit stores identification information about a fixing device in association with an attribute of a sheet that is printable with the fixing device concerned. A control unit executes printing when the storage unit does not store an attribute of a sheet corresponding to a fixing device that is currently attached to the image forming apparatus. The control unit determines whether to execute printing according to an attribute of a sheet used in printing and an attribute of a sheet stored in the storage unit when the storage unit stores the attribute of the sheet corresponding to the fixing device that is currently attached to the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A process cartridge includes: a developing unit; a drum unit; an urging member; and an electrically-conductive member. The developing unit includes a developing roller. The drum unit includes a photosensitive drum. The developing unit is pivotally movable relative to the drum unit about a pivot axis extending along the developing roller. The urging member is configured to urge the developing roller toward the photosensitive drum. The electrically-conductive member is provided at the developing unit and configured to apply voltage to the developing roller. The electrically-conductive member is made of an electrically-conductive resin. The electrically-conductive member includes a contact portion configured to contact an electric contact provided at an image forming apparatus. The pivot axis and the contact portion define a first distance therebetween. The pivot axis and the urging member define a second distance therebetween. The first distance is smaller than the second distance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotational force driving assembly and a process cartridge used for being engaged with a rotational force driving head inside an electrophotographic image forming device. The rotational force driving assembly can comprise a hub, a rotational force receiving component, a side plate, and an axis offset adjusting mechanism. When the axis offset adjusting mechanism is not subjected to external force, the axis offset adjusting mechanism enables the axis of the rotational force receiving component to be parallel and offset to the axis of the hub. When the axis offset adjusting mechanism is subjected to external force, the rotational force receiving component extends out to be engaged with the rotational force driving head.

Abstract: A cooling device, which is included in an image forming apparatus, includes first and second conveying belts facing each other to hold and convey a recording medium therebetween, a first cooling body in contact with the first conveying belt to cool the recording medium, a second cooling body in contact with the second conveying belt to cool the recording medium, a heat dissipating body to dissipate heat of each cooling medium absorbed from the first and second cooling bodies, a cooling medium entering passage to flow each cooling medium from the heat dissipating body toward respective inlets of the first and second cooling bodies, and a cooling medium exiting passage to merge each cooling medium discharged from respective outlets of the first and second cooling bodies and flow the merged cooling medium to the heat dissipating body.

Abstract: A hologram recording device includes a light outputting unit, which sequentially outputs laser beams having different wavelengths such that the laser beams are coaxial and includes an optical member and laser beam sources, and a recording unit, which sequentially irradiates the recording medium with the laser beams to record holograms in a multiwavelength superimposing manner. The optical member includes optical elements that reflect, in the optical direction, a laser beam incident thereon in a direction crossing the optical axis direction, and that allow a laser beam incident thereon in the optical axis direction to pass therethrough. The laser beam sources radiate laser beams to the optical member, and are arranged so that a laser beam emitted from a laser beam source among the laser beam sources that exposes a recording medium for a longer exposure period with the laser beam passes through a smaller number of optical elements.

Abstract: Transmission device (100), for example for a watch mechanism (110), in particular for a winding train (100, 201) of a watch movement (120), including an input element (6) intended to be driven only in a first direction, an output element, a first mechanical connection arranged such that the displacement of the input element in a first direction causes the displacement of the output element in a second direction, and a second mechanical connection (9?, 9) arranged such that the displacement of the input element in the first direction causes the displacement of the output element in a third direction, the third direction being opposite the second direction.

Abstract: A timepiece regulator comprising an inertial regulating member which is mounted on a support by an elastic suspension so as to be able to oscillate in translation, along a main direction of translation.

Abstract: A balance wheel-spring system including a balance wheel that oscillates about a balance wheel shaft and a spring, one inner spiral of which is fixed to the balance wheel shaft or to a collet mounted integrally with the shaft and one outer spiral of which is fixed to a stud integral with a bridge. The balance wheel includes a hub, a rim, an arm connecting the hub to the rim, a front face which includes a countersink and a rear face, the arm including a housing receiving and retaining a flyweight, and the spring being mounted opposite the front face of the balance wheel. The flyweight is mounted on the arm on the rear face of the balance wheel, the distance between the bottom of the countersink of the front face of the balance wheel and the spring is a predetermined interval between 0.05 mm and 1.50 mm.

Abstract: A musical timepiece includes a gong fastened to a structure or a resonator of a watch case, the resonator rigidly assembled to the structure around a chamber, by lugs allowing vibration of the resonator within a determined frequency range, the chamber enclosing a sealing element forming with the lugs the only mechanical connection between the structure and the resonator. The structure or the resonator includes a groove receiving a gasket in contact with the structure and the resonator The structure structure or the resonator or the sealing element includes a rigid protruding relief portion compressing a gasket in its groove, with a hardness less than 20 Shore A, for minimum damping of the vibration of the resonator.

Abstract: A portable object comprises a case forming a housing inside which is arranged a device that requires air to operate, and a closure device comprising at least one permeable element. The closure device is arranged to provide impermeability to liquids while allowing the atmosphere inside the housing to communicate with the external atmosphere. The case comprises a recess in which a through opening is made, said recess being closed by said closure device. The closure device comprises a permeable module mounted to move such that, in a gaseous environment, the permeable module is in a rest position allowing gases to penetrate said case opening through said permeable module, and in a liquid environment, the permeable module is in an operating position in which gases and liquids are blocked. The permeable module comprises a tubular support at the end of which is fixed a membrane.

Abstract: A method of setting/calibrating a feature or function in a setting/calibrating mode of an electronic device comprising at least one actuatable selector, wherein the setting/calibrating of the feature or function requires an actuation of the at least one selector, wherein the electronic device comprises at least one indicator hand coupled to an actuation mechanism that rotates the at least one indicator hand in at least one of a clockwise and counterclockwise direction, wherein the method comprises the steps of using the at least one indicator hand to indicate the actuatable selector for actuation; setting/calibrating the feature or function; and exiting the setting/calibration mode. An electronic device that carries out the foregoing method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Smart watches and associated systems and methods thereof for lock-screen management are disclosed. A smart watch includes a heart rate sensor, and a method for lock-screen management of the smart watch includes: reading, by the heart rate sensor, a heart rate; determining based on the heart rate whether the smart watch has been taken off by the user, and if yes, stopping the heart rate sensor from working and entering by the smart watch a password-lock-screen mode. Thus, using the method according to the present disclosure can improve the information security on the smart watch.

Abstract: An electronic watch or clock with an electrostatic induction generator, wherein the electrostatic induction generator has a rotary weight able to rotate with respect to a housing, a rotary member able to rotate with respect to the housing, a counter substrate fastened to the housing, a charging film arranged at one of the rotary member and counter substrate, and a counter electrode arranged facing the charging film at the other, outputs electric power generated between the charging film and the counter electrode to a quartz movement, and provides a window part at one or more locations among the dial plate, housing, or outside casing to enable rotation of the rotary member or transmission of rotation to be visually confirmed.

Abstract: A satellite radio wave receiving device includes: a receiver that receives a satellite radio wave to identify a reception signal; and a processor that acquires primary date and time information from the identified reception signal and outputs a date and time notifying signal indicating date and time based on the primary date and time information to an outside of the satellite radio wave receiving device. The date and time notifying signal includes at least a timing notifying signal indicating a predetermined timing. The processor determines the predetermined timing without consideration of a timing of a second synchronization point which is a leading edge of every second in the date and time based on the primary date and time information, and outputs the timing notifying signal at the predetermined timing.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the vapor pressure of a process stream includes a hard analyzer configured to measure one or more dependent variables associated with a sample of the process stream, where a dependent variable is also a property of the sample such as vapor pressure; a sensor system comprising one or more sensors configured to capture one or more independent process variables associated with the process stream; an aggregation module for collecting and storing outputs from the hard analyzer and responses from the sensor system; and a modeling module capable of generating a vapor pressure model from the same. The system then applies the model to sensor responses for the process stream to generate vapor pressure values.

Abstract: The current disclosure provides a method for transmitting encoded information signals through a control system and to a decoder. The encoded information signals are transmitted along with control signals as an encoded message. The information signals are encoded based at least in part on a control-coding capacity of the control system.

Abstract: There is provided a computing engine (10) for use in simulating a complex system (20), controlling the complex system (20), or a combination of simulating and controlling the complex system (20), wherein the computing engine (10) includes a data processing arrangement (40) that is operable to execute one or more program instructions. The computing engine (10) includes a plurality of computational modules (50) that are operable to exchange data therebetween via a data exchange arrangement (60). The computational modules (50) are operable to execute one or more computational functions therein on data received at the computational modules (50) and to generate corresponding output data (R). The computational modules (50) are operable to receive, for input data to their one or more computational functions, at least one of: user input values, sensed data from the complex system (20).

Abstract: An apparatus includes a memory and one or more processors operably connected to the memory. The one or more processors are configured to receive data collected from a process facility system, detect anomalies for field device or process failures associated with the process facility system that are not monitored by alarms, detect leading indicators for field device or process failures that are monitored by alarms, and monitor the process facility system to detect further anomalies and leading indicators before failures occur.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a home appliance which can communicate with an outside of the home appliance, an online system including the same and a method for using an online system. According to embodiments of the present invention, a home appliance, an online system and a method for using an online system may be provided, each including a WiFi communication module mounted or connected to the home appliance for supporting a setting mode for making communication connection and a use mode for enabling communication, and a particular input unit provided to run the setting mode by user's selection, wherein the home appliance is changed to the use mode upon reception of SSID (Service Set Identifier; a name of a wireless LAN) information of an access point AP desired to access and user information required for registration of the home appliance through an external terminal after access to the setting mode through the external terminal provided separate from the home appliance.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for controlling machine configurations. An example method includes determining a desired trajectory of an auxiliary machine based at least in part on a desired work path or an alignment of a host machine and the auxiliary machine; determining a first actual trajectory of the auxiliary machine; comparing the desired trajectory of the auxiliary machine to the first actual trajectory of the auxiliary machine; when the first actual trajectory does not satisfy a threshold distance of the desired trajectory, crab steering the auxiliary machine toward the desired trajectory while a course of the host machine is different than a course of the auxiliary machine.

Abstract: A system and method access field device information in an industrial process control and automation system. The system includes a memory element configured to store a plurality of device data associated with a plurality of field devices operating at a pipeline. The system also includes at least one processor configured to communicate with one or more transmitters coupled to the plurality of field devices. The at least one processor is also configured to retrieve, from each of the one or more transmitters, the plurality of device data related to each of the plurality of field devices. The at least one processor is also configured to send a command to a field device of the plurality of field devices based on the plurality of device data.

Abstract: An operation management method for machine tools is provided for collectively managing a plurality of events generated by a series of events. The operation management method for the machine tools includes a collecting step of monitoring an operation state of the machine tools, and collecting events that are generated by operations thereof, and a grouping step of dividing into a plurality of groups a collected plurality of the events and storing the same in a storage medium. In the grouping step, at each time that a mode which is set in the machine tools is switched, one event or two or more events that are generated during the set mode are grouped together and stored.

Abstract: An automation operating and management system consolidates and analyzes inputs from multiple machines within an automated enterprise to predict failures and provide instructions for counteractions to prevent failures during machine operation, and to identify opportunities for efficiency improvement, including actions for reduction in peak power consumption demand within a facility including multiple machines. A machine can include a machine controller and at least one base layer controller, where the base layer controller acts as a low level controller to directly control the motion of elements in communication with the base layer control, according to parameters set by the machine controller. The base layer controller collects timing data for the elements under its control, compares the timing data with the parameters and sets an alarm when the timing data is outside of tolerance limits defined by the parameters.

Abstract: A control method and a control apparatus for a paraffin dispenser in an embedder, a paraffin dispenser and an embedder are provided. The control method includes: collecting information of a current mold so as to acquire an identification of the current mold; determining whether the identification of the current mold is correct; and controlling the paraffin dispenser to pour paraffin into the current mold, when it is determined that the identification of the current mold is correct.

Abstract: A machine tool system and an opening stop position calculating device are provided. The machine tool system includes an openable and closable door for closing an opening of a cover surrounding a machine tool. Furthermore, the machine tool system includes an opening width setting unit for setting an opening width of the door, an opening stop position calculating unit for calculating an opening stop position of the door at which a total time, which is obtained by summing a time required to move the door from a fully closed position to a position of the set opening width and a time required to move the door from an opening stop position where the door is opened and stopped to the fully closed position, is minimized, and a door control unit for controlling opening and closing of the door based on the calculated opening stop position when exchanging the workpiece.

Abstract: A method for controlling an electric actuator may involve determining with a controller a manipulated variable T1 of an actuating motor, in order, starting from an actual position X as a state variable to reach a target position Xd. The method may further involve calculating a control value of the electric actuator based on the manipulated variable T1. The manipulated variable T1 of the actuating motor may be calculated by using a second time derivative of the target position d2Xd/dt2 and an achieved control change ?X|???X|0, wherein ?X|?=Difference target?actual position at time ? and ?X|0=Difference target?actual position at time t=t0.