Abstract: A positioning system is provided for clamping individual segments of a rock bit together in position for an assembled bit and aligning the seams between the segments with a beam of energy from a welding gun. The segments are moved until the plane of a first seam between segments is coincident with the plane of the beam. Relative movement between the segments and the beam causes the beam to traverse the first seam throughout the plane of the seam and fuse the segments together. The segments are indexed by the fixture to bring the second seam into a position coincident with the plane of the beam. Relative movement between the segments and the beam causes the beam to traverse the second seam throughout the plane of the seam and fuse the segments together. The steps are repeated until the bit is completed.

Abstract: A positioning fixture is provided for clamping individual segments of a rock bit together in position for an assembled bit with an accurate gage diameter and aligning the seams between the segments with a beam of energy from a welding gun. Relative movement between the segments and the beam causes the beam to traverse the seam in the plane of the seam and fuse the segments together. The segments are indexed by the fixture to sequentially bring the additional seams into alignment with the beam. Relative movement between the segments and the beam causes the beam to traverse the seams in the plane of the seams and fuse the segments together.

Abstract: A rotary rock bit is constructed from at least one rock bit arm and a separate bearing pin. The rock bit arm includes a curved shirttail surface, a plane cutter receiving surface, and a mounting passage extending through said rock bit arm from said cutter receiving surface to said shirttail surface. The bearing pin includes a bearing section and a mounting section. The mounting section is positioned in the mounting passage of the rock bit arm thereby forming a seam between the mounting section of the bearing pin and the mounting passage in the rock bit arm. The mounting section of the bearing pin is fused to the rock bit arm using a beam of energy. The beam of energy is directed from an energy source located on the plane cutter receiving surface side of the rock bit arm. The plane cutter receiving surface is maintained substantially perpendicular to the beam of energy and the beam source is maintained substantially at a fixed distance from the cutter receiving surface during the fusing operation.

Abstract: A rotary rock bit is formed from at least two individual segments. The individual segments are positioned together and aligned in the proper position for the final assembled bit. The seams between the individual segments are in the form of square-butt type joints and the adjoining segments have surface areas that are in abutting relationship to each other. A beam of energy such as an electron beam or a laser beam is directed into the seams. Relative movement between the beam and segments of the bit causes the beam to traverse the seams and join said individual segments together throughout substantially all of said abutting surface areas.