Abstract: There is provided a carbide material including tungsten carbide of 60 to 85 weight %, titanium carbides of 10 to 25 weight % and preferably a metal matrix of 0.5 to 20 weight % including Fe and optionally at least one or both of the metals Co or Ni. There is also provided a device including a ferrous substrate and such a carbide material and a method of manufacturing a device, the method comprising mixing powders comprising carbon, tungsten and a scavenger material such as titanium, placing the mixed powders proximal a ferrous substrate, impinging an energy source onto the powdered materials to create a melt pool formed of the powders and the material of the substrate, and allowing the melt pool to solidify to form a carbide material substantially free from iron tungsten carbides of (W, Fe)6C and (W, Fe)12C type.

Abstract: There is provided a method of forming cutting blades using selective laser melting comprising positioning a first part of an elongate strip (30) with pre-formed teeth (32) within a powder bed (20), forming coating layers layer-by-layer to create a cutting surface on each pre-formed tooth by repeatedly depositing a layer of powder on the powder bed and scanning a laser beam over the deposited powder to fuse powder to the pre-formed teeth.

Abstract: There is provided a powder feeder (10, 10?) comprising a main chamber (12, 12?) with a gas inlet (14, 14?) and a powder outlet (16), at least one secondary chamber (20, 20?) configured to receive powder and a shaver element (22, 40, 50), wherein the shaver element (22, 40, 50) is positioned directly above an opening (26, 26?) in the at least one secondary chamber (20, 20?). The secondary chamber (20, 20?) further comprises a piston (28, 28?) movable towards the shaver element (22, 40, 50) so as to urge powder upwards. Examples of a shaver element include a rotatable screw (22), a conveyor belt (40) and a rotating disc (50) with protrusions (54).

Abstract: There is provided a tool blade, comprising a backing strip particles of abrasive material and a binder layer of binding material which binds the abrasive particles along an edge of the backing strip, wherein the edge of the backing strip is pre-formed with teeth, on which the abrasive particles are bound by the binding material. A profiled cutting portion extends beyond the pre-formed teeth. The pre-formed teeth are shaped as generally triangular waves or are flattened at least partially along an upper edge on which the cutting portion is at least partially disposed. A method of making such a blade is also provided.

Abstract: There is provided a method of making a tool blade, in which a backing strip is provided, binding material in powder form is cascaded onto the backing strip, abrasive particles are provided and the binding material powder is heated by laser beam to form a binder layer which binds the abrasive particles to the backing strip. The laser beam is used to form discrete regions of binder layer as teeth. The binding material is typically braze material. A blade made according to the method is also provided.

Abstract: Cutting apparatus includes a pilot arrangement which has a tip. The tip engages a workpiece to form a pilot recess to engage the workpiece and prevent the apparatus skidding across the surface of the workpiece. The tip can retract against the action of a spring. Accordingly, the apparatus is prevented from skidding across the workpiece, but wear on the tip is minimized.

Abstract: A blade comprises a strip having a main body portion and an edge portion. Cutting medium in the form of a diamond grit is secured to the strip by braze material. The edge portion is thinner than the main body portion.

Abstract: A saw blade is formed from a blank which has an edge. Inserts, such as tungsten carbide are inserted in apertures in the blank and a finishing cut is then made along the line to produce a series of teeth, each having a point within the body of the insert, and thus formed by the relatively hard material of the insert. Fingers of the inserts provide a root which holds the insert in position during use.