Abstract: The present invention relates to a coated cemented carbide insert with a binder phase enriched surface zone. The WC-grains have an average grain size in the range 1.0-3.5 &mgr;m, preferably 1.3-3.0 &mgr;m and the number of WC-grains larger than 2 times the average grain size is less than 10 grains/cm2 measured on a representative polished section 0.5 cm2 large, preferably less than 5 grains/cm2, and the number larger than 3 times the average grain size is less than 5 grains/cm2, preferably less than 3 grains/cm2. The cemented carbide is made by powder metallurgical methods and is in particular characterized in that the cooling rate, CR, from the sintering temperature, ST, exhibits the relationship 10<CR·(ST-1300)/1000<17.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cemented carbide tools for coldforming and drawing operations. The cemented carbide comprises WC with an average grain of <1 &mgr;m and 0.5-4 weight-% binder phase consisting of Co and Ni, <0.5 wt-% Mo, and <1 wt-% grain growth inhibitors V and/or Cr. The weight ratio Co:(Co+Ni) is 0.25-0.75 and the structure contains 1-5 vol-% of finely distributed eta phase with a size <5 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A boom arrangement for a rock drilling apparatus includes at least one boom and an actuator, e.g., a passenger cage, arranged at a free end of the boom. The boom also includes at least two boom parts articulated pivotably with respect to each other. The first boom part is articulated by a first articulation pivotable substantially in a horizontal direction. The second boom part in turn is arranged at an end of the first boom part, and the second boom part can be turned both vertically and horizontally with respect to the first boom part.

Abstract: A process is provided for forming a material comprising an M3X1Z2 phase comprising the steps of: (a) providing a mixture of (i) at least one transition metal species, (ii) at least one co-metal species selected from the group consisting of aluminum species, germanium species and silicon species, and (iii) at least one non-metal species selected from the group consisting of boron species, carbon species and nitrogen species; (b) heating said mixture to a temperature of about 1000° C. to about 1800° C., in an atmosphere within a substantially enclosed heating zone, for a time sufficient to form said M3X1Z2 phase; wherein the atmosphere has an O2 partial pressure of no greater than about 1×10−6 atm. The process provides a substantially single phase material comprising very little MZx-phase.

Abstract: A method and a rock drilling apparatus for drilling holes in rock according to a predetermined drilling plan. The method comprises measuring the location of each hole in the rock by inserting a measuring device into the hole, and calculating the deviation of the end of the measured hole from the location determined in the drilling plan. The rock drilling apparatus comprises a measuring device that can be inserted into a drill hole, and means for transferring the measurement values measured by the measuring device to control means of the rock drilling apparatus.

Abstract: A clamping arrangement includes a holder blade having a body portion, the body portion having a key slot and a key recess are disposed relative to each other and relative to an insert-receiving slot such that, when a first keying member of a key is received in the key slot and the second keying member of the key is received in the key recess and the key is moved from an at-rest position to an opening position, the height of the insert-receiving slot is increased against resilient forces of the body portion to a sufficient height to install an insert for the holder blade and, when the key is returned to the at-rest position, the resilient forces cause the height of the insert-receiving slot to decrease and clamp the insert between the upper and lower surface of the insert-receiving slot.

Abstract: A down-the-hole percussive hammer includes a cylindrical casing adapted to carry a drill bit, and a piston mounted in the casing for reciprocal movement to repeatedly strike the drill bit. A top sub is mounted at a rear portion of the casing, the top sub including a front face facing the piston. A feed tube is mounted to the top sub and extends forwardly along a center axis of the casing and defines an air-conducting passage. The piston includes an axial through-hole which slidably receives the feed tube. The front face and the feed tube together define a recess opening toward the piston. A removable volume-changer is insertable into the recess to vary a volume of a space in which the piston slides, and thus control a pressure at which the piston operates.

Abstract: A power rake attachment includes a rotary drum and a plurality of bit assemblies mounted on an outer surface of the drum. Each bit assembly includes a hollow holder affixed to the outer surface, and a cutter bit disposed in the holder. The cutter bit includes a front cutting head and a rear shank. The shank extends into the holder, and the cutting head projects longitudinally past a front end of the holder. A retainer retains the shank within the holder, and wear sleeve is disposed around an outer surface of the holder. The cutter bit includes a laterally outwardly projecting sleeve-retaining portion which extends laterally past the outer surface of the holder and into overlying relationship to a front end of the holder to retain the wear sleeve longitudinally on the holder.

Abstract: A duplex ferritic-austenitic stainless steel alloy provided for seawater applications includes, in weight %: C maximum 0.05; Si maximum 0.8; Mn 0.03-4; Cr 28-35; Ni 3-10%, Mo 1.0-4.0; N 0.2-0.6; Cu maximum 1.0; W maximum 2.0; S maximum 0.010; Ce maximum 0.2; and the balance Fe together with normally occurring impurities and additives, wherein the ferritic content is 30-70 volume %, the alloy composition has a PRE-value higher than 42, and the PRE-value is at least 40 in both the ferritic and austenitic phases. A method is also provided which includes: providing a duplex ferritic-austenitic stainless steel alloy with the above-noted composition, forming a component with the alloy, and contacting the component with seawater. In preferred embodiments, the component comprises at least one of tubes, bars, heavy castings, forging, plates, wire or strip.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a coated cutting tool consisting of a coating and a substrate, wherein at least one refractory layer consisting of fine-grained, crystalline &ggr;-Al2O3 is deposited by reactive magnetron sputtering onto the moving substrate in a vacuum by pulsed magnetron sputtering in a mixture of a rare gas and a reactive gas at a pulse frequency set for 10 to 100 kHz. The deposition occurs with a rate of at least 1 nm/s with reference to a stationarily arranged substrate at a magnetron target power density in time average set for at least 10 W/cm2. The substrate temperature is in the range 400 to 700° C. and the flux of impinging particles onto each individual substrate is cyclically interrupted.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is now provided a body of cemented carbide provided with at least one wear resistant layer, which body contains a zone in the cemented carbide and adjacent to the applied layer, containing triangular WC platelets with a specific orientation. Different binder phase gradients are possible. The body is in particular suited for application of CVD diamond layers.

Abstract: A cutting insert for grooving operations includes a central shank portion and a forward cutting head. The cutting head includes a front clearance surface having a main cutting edge at an upper end thereof. The clearance surface is non-planar. Rather, the clearance surface exhibits a curvature in order to strengthen the main cutting edge.

Abstract: A cutting insert for chipforming machine has a tip face with a cutting edge. Grooves are formed in the top face and extend toward the cutting edge. Chip-deflecting projections extend upwardly from the top face and are situated in spaces formed between adjacent grooves. A jet of cooling fluid is directed toward inner ends of the grooves and travels between the projections and within the grooves toward the cutting edge.

Abstract: A cutting tool includes a nozzle for directing coolant toward an insert seat disposed in the tool. The nozzle includes a bore which directs coolant toward a location on the seat that is spaced from a center hole in which the nozzle is mounted. A rear end of the nozzle is pressed against a fixed surface of the tool by the pressure of coolant. The bore in the nozzle is in non-coinciding relationship relative to the axis of the hole in which the insert is mounted. The bore can be angled relative to axis of the hole, or the bore can be parallel to, but radially offset from, the axis of the hole.

Abstract: The invention provides an expanding mandrel comprising a shaft (1) having a conical forward end (10), an expanding sleeve (5) constituted by a ring provided with longitudinal slits designed to slide over said conical forward end (10), the inner wall of said sleeve (5) itself also having the shape of a cone the apex angle of which is equal to that of the conical forward end (10), and a tie member (2) designed to be connected to a rod that can be caused to slide along the axis of the machine spindle to control the gripping or the release of a workpiece. According to the invention, the sleeve (5) is connected to said tie member (2) via a control ring (3) integral with the tie member (2), and the mandrel comprises a removable quick mounting means enabling the sleeve (5) to be secured to said control ring (3).

Abstract: A mechanism for disintegrating breakable materials, such as wood, pipes, bricks, etc. includes a rotary drum having striker bars mounted thereon which disintegrate the breakable materials. Each striker bar has a notched cutting edge formed by a row of carbide tips sintered to an edge of a steel body. The cutting edge can be of serrated shape and/or scallop-shape.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for measuring dimensional rough stone blocks. In the method, a dimensional rough stone block is measured in a three-dimensional coordinate system by means of an inertia measuring device by moving the device from one point to another on the surface of the stone block to be measured. The apparatus comprises an inertia measuring device and a calculating device with which it is possible to calculate the dimensions of the stone block based on the coordinate values of the points measured by the inertia measuring device.

Abstract: The present invention describes a coated substrate material. The coating is formed by one or more layers of refractory compounds of which at least one layer of fine-grained, crystalline &ggr;-phase alumina, Al2O3, with a grainsize less than 0.1 &mgr;m. The Al2O3layer is deposited with a bipolar pulsed DMS technique (Dual Magnetron Sputtering) at substrate temperatures in the range 450° C. to 700° C., preferably 550° C. to 650° C., depending on the particular substrate material. Identification of the &ggr;-phase alumina is made by X-ray diffraction. Reflexes from the (400) and (440) planes occurring at the 2&thgr;-angles 45.8 and 66.8 degrees when using CuK&agr; radiation identify the &ggr;-phase Al2O3. The alumina layer is also very strongly textured in the [440]-direction. The Al2O3 layer is virtually free of cracks and halogen impurities. Furthermore, the Al2O3 layer gives the cutting edge of the tool an extremely smooth surface finish.

Abstract: Identical ring-shaped metal blanks are machined whereby each blank forms a plurality of identical components. The blanks are first machined on both sides, and then a stack of the blanks is clamped axially adjacent one another on an arbor. Tools machine the blanks for reshaping the blanks. One of the tools is a slitter which makes axial cuts through the stack to separate each blank into a plurality of components distributed around the axis.

Abstract: There is now provided a cemented carbide grade for rock excavation purposes with 88-96 weight % WC, preferably 91-95% weight % WC, with a binder phase consisting of only cobalt or cobalt and nickel, with a maximum of 25% of the binder being Ni, possibly with small additions of rare earth metals, such as Ce and Y, up to a maximum of 2% of the total cemented carbide. The WC grains are rounded because of the process of coating the WC with cobalt, and not recrystallized or showing grain growth or very sharp cornered grains like conventionally milled WC, thus giving the bodies surprisingly high thermal conductivity. The average grain size should be from 8-30 &mgr;m, preferably from 12-20 &mgr;m. The maximum grain size does not exceed 2 times the average value and no more than 2% of the grains found in the structure are less than half of the average grain size.