An apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent article includes: first and second reference-signal outputting sections for outputting first and second reference signals indicating a conveyance amount of a workpiece, a processing device for processing the workpiece based on a drive signal, an adhesive discharging device for discharging adhesive toward the workpiece based on a discharge signal, and a controller. While manufacturing the absorbent article, the controller generates both the drive signal and the discharge signal based on the first reference signal. While inspecting a discharge amount of the adhesive, the controller generates the discharge signal based on the second reference signal, without outputting the drive signal.