Abstract: Polyolefin pipes are welded end-to-end by a self-propelled, self-contained machine which performs all steps necessary to the process without need for any other machines or equipment. Hydraulically driven parallel tracks are independently controlled for maximum maneuverability. An hydraulically driven, computer controlled, reversible jaw assembly reciprocates the new pipe section relative to the exiting pipe line. A facer for trimming and squaring the pipe ends to be joined and a heater for melting the pipe ends for fusing are umbilically connected to the machine for on-board or remote operation. The computer, also on an umbilical, enables the operator to operate the machine in a normal mode in which the operator manually controls the facing, soaking and fusing processes or an automatic mode in which the fusing process is automatically controlled by the computer.

Abstract: A unitary lap blank has a front polishing portion and a rear disk portion contoured for coupling the disk to a chuck of the lathe and also to a chuck of the polishing machine. Preferably, the disk has a circular channel in its face opposed to its base and a pair of seats in the opposed face symmetrically diametrically aligned in a land defined by the channel. The channel is of diameter, width and depth and the seats are spaced for mating with complementary components on the lathe chuck. The disk also has a circular seat centered in the land and a pair of parallel side walls disposed along symmetrically opposed cords of the disk transverse to a line connecting the pair of seats, the side walls being spaced apart by a distance and the seat being of diameter and depth for mating with complementary components on the polishing machine chuck.

Abstract: An ophthalmic lens block and lens generating machine compression sleeve chuck are provided such that the block is of diameter suitable for the lens edging step of the lens generating process. The lens generating chuck consists of a plurality of concentric sleeves mounted on a hub of the spindle shaft and having lengthwise slots permitting compression of the sleeve onto the hub and the block. The sleeves are biased to telescope toward the lens so as to abut the front surface of the lens in a concentric pattern extending outwardly from the outer diameter of the block to support the front surface of the lens against the forces applied to the rear face of the lens during the cutting process. Thus, the combination of the block and the chuck is also suitable for the lens generating, fining and polishing steps of the lens generating process. Consequently, after polishing, the block is left on the lens.