Pipe machining apparatuses and methods of operating are provided. In one aspect, a pipe machining apparatus includes an advancement mechanism coupled to a frame and adapted to move relative to the frame between a first position, in which the advancement mechanism is in a travel path of an advancement member and is adapted to be engaged by the advancement member to advance a tool, and a second position, in which the advancement mechanism is positioned out of the travel path of the advancement member and is not adapted to be engaged by the advancement member. In another aspect, a pipe machining apparatus includes multiple motors and pinion gears engaged with a gear rack of a tool carrier. In a further aspect, a pipe machining apparatus includes a race wiper. In yet another aspect, a pipe machining apparatus includes a race lubrication member.

A facer facing the ends of polyolefin pipes for butt fusion is modular in the sense that it employs three types of modules, a drive unit, two blade holders and a motor assembly, that are separable from one another and each independently light enough to be hand-lifted along walls and up to ceilings. The drive unit module is adjustable to accommodate different guide rail spacings. The blade holder modules are interchangeable to accommodate different diameters of pipe. The motor assembly module has multispeed capability to accommodate the total area of material to be faced. Each module can be exchanged or modified without use of tools to change the geometry of the assembled facer to accommodate different fusion machines and/or diameters of pipe within working spaces dictated by the diameter of the pipe and not by a fixed geometry of a facer.

A facer facing the ends of polyolefin pipes for butt fusion is modular in the sense that it employs three types of modules, a drive unit, two blade holders and a motor assembly, that are separable from one another and each independently light enough to be hand-lifted along walls and up to ceilings. The drive unit module is adjustable to accommodate different guide rail spacings. The blade holder modules are interchangeable to accommodate different diameters of pipe. The motor assembly module has multispeed capability to accommodate the total area of material to be faced. Each module can be exchanged or modified without use of tools to change the geometry of the assembled facer to accommodate different fusion machines and/or diameters of pipe within working spaces dictated by the diameter of the pipe and not by a fixed geometry of a facer.

In one example, a pipe machining apparatus is provided and includes a frame, a tool carrier coupled to and rotatable relative to the frame, a first machining apparatus including a first tool support and a first tool supported by the first tool support and a second machining apparatus including a bridge member, a second tool support supported by the bridge member, and a second tool supported by the second tool support. The first tool is configured to perform a first machining operation and the second tool is configured to perform a second machining operation different than the first machining operation. The first machining apparatus and the second machining apparatus are interchangeably couplable to and rotatable with the tool carrier.

In one example, a pipe machining apparatus is provided and includes a frame, a tool carrier coupled to and rotatable relative to the frame, a first machining apparatus including a first tool support and a first tool supported by the first tool support and a second machining apparatus including a bridge member, a second tool support supported by the bridge member, and a second tool supported by the second tool support. The first tool is configured to perform a first machining operation and the second tool is configured to perform a second machining operation different than the first machining operation. The first machining apparatus and the second machining apparatus are interchangeably couplable to and rotatable with the tool carrier.

A motorized drapery system having an elongated rotating drive element that has a non-circular cross-sectional shape such as square, rectangular, trapezoidal, cross shaped or any other non-circular shape that is twisted. In one arrangement the drive element is twisted in one direction along its entire length. In another arrangement the drive element is twisted in one direction in a first section and twisted in an opposite direction in a second section thereby providing a center opening/center closing drapery. A plurality of rings are positioned around the drive element including at least one driver ring that includes a feature that connects to the drive element and is configured to facilitate movement along the drive element, and a plurality of idler rings that are configured to slide along the drive element. A curtain is connected to the rings and opens and closes as the rings move along the drive element.

A motorized drapery system having an elongated rotating drive element that has a non-circular cross-sectional shape such as square, rectangular, trapezoidal, cross shaped or any other non-circular shape that is twisted. In one arrangement the drive element is twisted in one direction along its entire length. In another arrangement the drive element is twisted in one direction in a first section and twisted in an opposite direction in a second section thereby providing a center opening/center closing drapery. A plurality of rings are positioned around the drive element including at least one driver ring that includes a feature that connects to the drive element and is configured to facilitate movement along the drive element, and a plurality of idler rings that are configured to slide along the drive element. A curtain is connected to the rings and opens and closes as the rings move along the drive element.

Provided is a wire rod that has superior machinability by cutting regardless of the type of tool material and the type of lubricant and even in the case where no lubricant is used. A wire rod for cutting work comprises: a specific chemical composition; and Vickers hardness that satisfies the following expressions (1) and (2) in the case where an average aspect ratio of ferrite grains at a position of 1/4 of a diameter from a surface of the wire rod for cutting work is more than 2.8, and satisfies the following expressions (3) and (4) in the case where the average aspect ratio is 2.8 or less,

H.sub.ave350 (1)

H.sub.30 (2)

H.sub.ave250 (3)

H.sub.20 (4).

Pipe machining apparatuses are provided. In some aspects, a pipe machining apparatus may include a hinge to allow two sections of the pipe machining apparatus to move relative to one another. In another aspect, a support member may be provided to support a pipe machining apparatus on a surface. In a further aspect, a support member may be provided that allows lifting of a pipe machining apparatus in either a horizontal position or a vertical position.

Pipe machining apparatuses are provided. In some aspects, a pipe machining apparatus may include a hinge to allow two sections of the pipe machining apparatus to move relative to one another. In another aspect, a support member may be provided to support a pipe machining apparatus on a surface. In a further aspect, a support member may be provided that allows lifting of a pipe machining apparatus in either a horizontal position or a vertical position.