Abstract: A mold assembly and method for fabricating an infiltrated drill bit may comprise a mold forming a bottom of the mold assembly, a funnel operatively coupled to the mold, an infiltration chamber defined at least partially by the mold and the funnel to receive and contain matrix reinforcement materials and a binder material used to form the infiltrated drill bit, a displacement core arranged within the infiltration chamber and having one or more legs that extend therefrom, a metal blank arranged about the displacement core within the infiltration chamber, and one or more thermal elements. A method may comprise providing a mold assembly having component parts that include a mold that forms a bottom of the mold assembly and a funnel operatively coupled to the mold, imparting thermal energy to the infiltration chamber with one or more thermal element, and heating contents contained within the infiltration chamber.

Abstract: A mold assembly and method for fabricating an infiltrated drill bit may comprise a mold forming a bottom of the mold assembly, a funnel operatively coupled to the mold, an infiltration chamber defined at least partially by the mold and the funnel to receive and contain matrix reinforcement materials and a binder material used to form the infiltrated drill bit, a displacement core arranged within the infiltration chamber and having one or more legs that extend therefrom, a metal blank arranged about the displacement core within the infiltration chamber, and one or more thermal elements. A method may comprise providing a mold assembly having component parts that include a mold that forms a bottom of the mold assembly and a funnel operatively coupled to the mold, imparting thermal energy to the infiltration chamber with one or more thermal element, and heating contents contained within the infiltration chamber.

Abstract: An example mold assembly for fabricating an infiltrated downhole tool includes a mold defining a bottom of the mold assembly and a funnel operatively coupled to the mold. An infiltration chamber is defined at least partially by the mold and the funnel to receive and contain matrix reinforcement materials and a binder material used to form the infiltrated downhole tool. A thermal mass is positioned within the infiltration chamber above the infiltrated downhole tool for imparting heat to the infiltrated downhole tool following an infiltration process.

Abstract: An example mold assembly for fabricating an infiltrated downhole tool includes a mold forming a bottom of the mold assembly, and a funnel operatively coupled to the mold. An infiltration chamber is defined at least partially by the mold and the funnel to receive and contain matrix reinforcement materials and a binder material used to form the infiltrated downhole tool. One or more thermal elements are positioned within at least one of the mold and the funnel, and the one or more thermal elements are in thermal communication with the infiltration chamber.

Abstract: An example insulation enclosure includes a support structure having a top end, a top wall provided at the top end, a bottom end, and an opening defined at the bottom end for receiving a mold within an interior of the support structure. Rigid insulation material may be supported by the support structure and extending between the top and bottom ends and across the top end. The rigid insulation material may extend between the top and bottom ends and consist of one or more sidewall insulation loops that extend along a circumference of the insulation enclosure.

Abstract: A heat containment apparatus may include a housing having an access gap, the housing being formed of an insulating material. Alternatively, a heat containment apparatus includes a housing being an expandable structure having an access gap, the housing including an insulating material. Heat containment apparatuses may be used in conjunction with performing high temperature operations and/or low temperature operations to at least portions of substrates contained therein.

Abstract: An example cooling system for a mold assembly includes a quench plate that defines one or more discharge ports and one or more recuperation ports. A fluid is circulated from the one or more discharge ports to the one or more recuperation ports to cool the mold assembly. A blocking ring is positioned on the quench plate and defines a central aperture for receiving a bottom of the mold assembly. An insulation enclosure having an interior for receiving the mold assembly is positioned on the blocking ring. The blocking ring prevents vapor generated by the fluid contacting the bottom of the mold assembly from migrating into the interior of the insulation enclosure.

Abstract: An example insulation enclosure includes a support structure having a top end, a bottom end, and an opening defined at the bottom end for receiving a mold within an interior of the support structure, and a thermal mass arranged at the top end of the support structure to thermally communicate with a top of the mold and resist heat flow from the top of the mold in an axial direction.

Abstract: An example insulation enclosure for cooling a mold includes a support structure having a top end, a bottom end, and an interior, the bottom end defining an opening for receiving a mold within the interior of the support structure, and insulation material supported by the support structure and extending at least from the bottom end to the top end, wherein one or more thermal properties of at least one of the support structure and the insulation material varies longitudinally from the bottom end to the top end. In some cases, the one or more thermal properties are further varied about a circumference of the support structure.

Abstract: An example insulation enclosure includes an outer shell having an open end and a top end, and an inner shell arranged within the outer shell and including a plurality of sidewall members and a top member. Each sidewall member is independently moveable relative to one another and to the top member, and the plurality of sidewall members and the top member each include a support member and insulation material positioned on the support member. One or more compliant devices arranged between the outer shell and at least one of the plurality of sidewall members and the top member, the one or more compliant devices biasing the at least one of the plurality of sidewall members and the top member against adjacent outer surfaces of a mold disposable within the inner shell.

Abstract: An example mold assembly system includes a mold assembly including a mold forming a bottom of the mold assembly, a funnel operatively coupled to the mold, and an infiltration chamber defined at least partially by the mold and the funnel, the infiltration chamber being used for forming an infiltrated downhole tool. A mold assembly cap is positionable on the mold assembly and including a sidewall extendable about an outer periphery of the mold assembly at least partially along a height of the mold assembly. The sidewall exhibits a horizontal cross-sectional shape that accommodates a shape of the mold assembly and the sidewall is made of a thermal material that promotes directional solidification of the infiltrated downhole tool during fabrication.

Abstract: An example insulation enclosure includes a support structure having a top end, a top wall provided at the top end, a bottom end, and an opening defined at the bottom end for receiving a mold within an interior of the support structure. Rigid insulation material may be supported by the support structure and extending between the top and bottom ends and across the top end. The rigid insulation material may extend between the top and bottom ends and consist of one or more sidewall insulation loops that extend along a circumference of the insulation enclosure.

Abstract: An example mold assembly system includes a mold assembly including a mold forming a bottom of the mold assembly, a funnel operatively coupled to the mold, and an infiltration chamber defined at least partially by the mold and the funnel, the infiltration chamber being used for forming an infiltrated downhole tool. A mold assembly cap is positionable on the mold assembly and including a sidewall extendable about an outer periphery of the mold assembly at least partially along a height of the mold assembly. The sidewall exhibits a horizontal cross-sectional shape that accommodates a shape of the mold assembly and the sidewall is made of a thermal material that promotes directional solidification of the infiltrated downhole tool during fabrication.

Abstract: An example mold assembly for fabricating an infiltrated downhole tool includes a mold defining a bottom of the mold assembly and a funnel operatively coupled to the mold. An infiltration chamber is defined at least partially by the mold and the funnel to receive and contain matrix reinforcement materials and a binder material used to form the infiltrated downhole tool. A thermal mass is positioned within the infiltration chamber above the infiltrated downhole tool for imparting heat to the infiltrated downhole tool following an infiltration process.

Abstract: An example mold assembly for fabricating an infiltrated downhole tool includes a mold forming a bottom of the mold assembly, and a funnel operatively coupled to the mold. An infiltration chamber is defined at least partially by the mold and the funnel to receive and contain matrix reinforcement materials and a binder material used to form the infiltrated downhole tool. One or more thermal elements are positioned within at least one of the mold and the funnel, and the one or more thermal elements are in thermal communication with the infiltration chamber.

Abstract: An example cooling system for a mold assembly includes a quench plate that defines one or more discharge ports and one or more recuperation ports. A fluid is circulated from the one or more discharge ports to the one or more recuperation ports to cool the mold assembly. A blocking ring is positioned on the quench plate and defines a central aperture for receiving a bottom of the mold assembly. An insulation enclosure having an interior for receiving the mold assembly is positioned on the blocking ring. The blocking ring prevents vapor generated by the fluid contacting the bottom of the mold assembly from migrating into the interior of the insulation enclosure.

Abstract: An example insulation enclosure includes an outer shell having an open end and a top end, and an inner shell arranged within the outer shell and including a plurality of sidewall members and a top member. Each sidewall member is independently moveable relative to one another and to the top member, and the plurality of sidewall members and the top member each include a support member and insulation material positioned on the support member. One or more compliant devices arranged between the outer shell and at least one of the plurality of sidewall members and the top member, the one or more compliant devices biasing the at least one of the plurality of sidewall members and the top member against adjacent outer surfaces of a mold disposable within the inner shell.

Abstract: An example insulation enclosure includes a support structure having a top end, a bottom end, and an opening defined at the bottom end for receiving a mold within an interior of the support structure, and a thermal mass arranged at the top end of the support structure to thermally communicate with a top of the mold and resist heat flow from the top of the mold in an axial direction.

Abstract: An example insulation enclosure for cooling a mold includes a support structure having a top end, a bottom end, and an interior, the bottom end defining an opening for receiving a mold within the interior of the support structure, and insulation material supported by the support structure and extending at least from the bottom end to the top end, wherein one or more thermal properties of at least one of the support structure and the insulation material varies longitudinally from the bottom end to the top end. In some cases, the one or more thermal properties are further varied about a circumference of the support structure.

Abstract: A method of removing unwanted material from an article having a variable form can include scanning the article and determining, based on the scanning, a location of the unwanted material, determining tool paths of a cutting tool which will result in removal of the unwanted material, and displacing the cutting tool along the tool paths, thereby removing the unwanted material. A material removal system for removing unwanted material from an oilfield drill bit can include a rotary indexing device which rotates the drill bit about a longitudinal axis of the drill bit, a scanning device which scans an outer surface of the drill bit, and a controller which determines a geometry of the drill bit, based on at least one scan by the scanning device, determines a location of the unwanted material, and determines tool paths of a cutting tool for removal of the unwanted material.