We propose an on-line handwriting character string separation method which uniformly deals with the character separation features. We devised the string separation method using a multi-level network expression and a method using a unified network expression. The separation performance was improved by unifying the physical feature and logical feature using the network expression. Furthermore, we could speed up the string separation process with the unified network expression.

Micro-machining technology is in general well known in the field of lithography, where most of the materials used have been brittle ones such as silicon-oxide. However, the requirement of producing micro-machine and/or micro-mechanism with metallic materials is increasing since a variety of workpiece configurations can be easily made. Thus, this study deals with the micro-machining of metallic workpieces with sculptured surface by use of a newly developed ultra-precision milling machine. This lathe-type ultra-precision milling machine, consisting of an z-motion table, a positionable spindle as c-rotational axis and x-motion table, is equipped with a pseudo-ball-endmill composed of a single crystal diamond tool mounted at the top of a high speed air spindle on the x-table. A control program has been developed to carry out 3-axis control micromachining. The 3-axis control program enables the tool to produce a human face-like surface with the surface roughness of 77 nm (Rmax) within a circular area of 3 mm in diameter. As a result, the possibility of generating ultraprecision sculptured metal workpieces is experimentally confirmed.