In near-field levitation, an object can be levitated vertically upward above vibrating surface of an ultrasonic transducer. On the other hand, it has been reported that an object can be suspended vertically downward under the vibrating surface in the air. We call this phenomenon ultrasonic suspension. However, there is no detailed explanation about this phenomenon yet. Following pressure distribution measurement for the suspension gap is requested for the explanation. Previously, such measurement was tried with a sensor with a small hole in a board and a sensor behind it. Results meeting with the phenomenon were not acquired, because of influence of the hole at measuring point. In this research, novel sensor without the hole was proposed and consisted of a small diaphragm to measure local pressure. But, the fabricated sensor could not work due to diaphragm vibration, when the gap between the vibration surface and the measuring surface was one hundred micrometer or less. To overcome the vibration problem, a mass was attached to the diaphragm and could suppress the vibration. Pressure distribution of ultrasonic suspension gap was successfully measured.

High accuracy shape measurement technique is necessary for processing and assembling large-size products such as electric generators and rail cars with efficiency and high accuracy. Widely-used manual measurement in manufacturing scenes has the following problems. Firstly, it takes much time for measurement. Secondly, the accuracy depends on individual measurement skill of using contact gauge. For the purpose of shorting time for measurement and improving measurement accuracy, we propose a non-contact distance measurement technique by combining optical comb laser with electrical optical modulator. The experimental result shows that it is possible to measure distance with smaller than 25 μm accuracy on the condition that the detected light power is -60 dBm.

The purpose of this study is to improve the accuracy of numerical analysis of linear motion ball guide (LMBG) and reduce the analysis cost. The author explains the load distribution theory, which is the basis of the theoretical analysis of LMBG. Next, the author explains how to apply carriage rail FE analysis to load distribution theory to improve analysis accuracy by taking into account elastic deformation of components. Next, we will conduct experiments on the stiffness of the LMBG in the vertical and rolling directions, confirm the validity by comparing the theoretical values with the experimental values, and consider the effects of the influence of the components on the LMBG stiffness. Finally, in order to reduce the analysis cost, we will explain how to transform the carriage deformation into a formula using the carriage FEM model load distribution theory and apply it to the load distribution theory. This theory enables high-accuracy analysis in a short time, and can be applied to various performance predictions of LMBG with a huge variety.

Micro injection molding methods for realizing fine plastic products attracts great attention. A low-invasive plastic microneedle imitating mosquito is an example that fabricated by micro injection molding. Since processing of a sharp needle-shaped part having a diameter of 100 µm or less in the mold requires microfabrication using a micro tool, the cost of mold becomes high. To address this, transcription method was employed, in which a hard master shape is pressed against a soft material to form the mold. However, it turned out that the conventional method using ceramics as a master mold material is difficult to apply, since the micro-sized shape is difficult to fabricate on the ceramic, and it is easily broken when pressed against the mold material, both of which are due to brittleness of ceramics. In this research, instead of ceramics, a hard metal, e.g., SUS440C, trade name ELMAX, is used as master material, which is tough and easily machined compared to ceramics. As for mold material, a soft metal, e.g., A7075 of aluminum alloy, is used. Using aluminum is effective for two reasons; one is that the hurt and degraded master can be easily and frequently exchanged at low cost; another is that the material appropriately deforms to seal the gap of parting line between upper and lower molds, preventing the occurrence of burr.

We proposed a novel nanofiber manufacturing technology by melt-blowing process. In the present report, we focused on manufactured polypropylene nanofiber nonwoven fabric as a novel sound absorbing material, measuring its Biot acoustic parameters, and also performed its CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics)analysis to discuss flow resistance in them. Especially, we looked at the influence of the gap ratio (the ratio of the fiber gab between fibers and fiber diameter, which was related to the porosity), Knudsen number and the thermal characteristic length on the sound absorption coefficient and the flow resistance. As a result, it can be seen that the sound absorption coefficient and the flow resistance are greatly affected by the gap between the fibers. Moreover, the gap ratio and the thermal characteristic length are found to be essential parameters under the constant gap between fibers.

This research aimed to extract the design knowledge of piping in order to clarify the knowledge of piping design and to utilize it for designer education and automation. In order to extract design knowledge, we interviewed two expert designers, two middle-careered designers and one newcomer designer using protocol analysis method, and extracted a total of 209 design knowledge. As a result, we found that the designers designed based on 12 common knowledge common to designers. Also, Individual based knowledge in the form of "conditions and correspondence" accumulates. Especially, it is important to efficiently extract qualitative data that occupies a large number. It turns out that the granularity of the model is different for each process in the supply chain. In the future, based on the understanding of the commonality and variation of knowledge of multiple people with different design experiences obtained in this study, we will study an automation system or educational system that changes the support level according to the degree of skill or knowledge.

Five-axis machining centers are required to machine freeform surfaces in general. On the other hand, using multi jigs and holders enables freeform surface machining with machine tools that the degree of freedom (DOF) is insufficient. However, conventional process planning applications cannot propose processes by the machine tool that has less DOF than the DOF that is estimated from machining features. In our proposed method, the process using the machine tool with insufficient DOF can be calculated by computing combinations of machining resources (MR) including cutting tools, machine tools and setup information that can machine whole area of the freeform surface. Also, because there are infinite combinations of MR for machining whole area of the freeform surface, a heuristical method is used to determine the appropriate process from the point of view of the machining cost. This study confirmed that the process using the machine tool with insufficient DOF was proposed by adopting the proposed method to the freeform surface.