Manufacturing method for absorbing body

A method for manufacturing an absorbent body for testing, the method comprising the following steps in sequence:

• a first step of obtaining a material body comprising an aggregate of absorbent fibers and a water-absorbent resin, wherein the water-absorbent resin is dispersively disposed in contact with the aggregate of the absorbent fibers;
• a second step of introducing a material body comprising an aggregate of absorbent fibers and a water-absorbent resin into a gap in a mixing unit that is formed between a first surface and a second surface, wherein the gap is smaller than a thickness of the material body comprising the aggregate of the absorbent fibers and the water-absorbent resin, recesses and protrusions being formed on at least one of the first surface and the second surface;
• a third step of applying a shearing force in the mixing unit to the material body in the mixing unit by moving the first surface relative to and parallel to the second surface in the mixing unit in order to crush and rub the material body and mix the aggregate of the absorbent fibers and the water-absorbent resin together;
• and
• a fourth step of causing the absorbent fibers and the water-absorbent resin that were mixed together while the material body was sheared and crushed to fall, and stacking the absorbent fibers and the water-absorbent resin by suctioning the absorbent fibers and the water-absorbent resin into a stationary recessed portion having a predetermined shape.