Abstract: A method of processing a workpiece includes supporting the workpiece on a tailstock extending along an axis, thermally processing the workpiece with a processing device, and displacing a portion of the tailstock assembly in response to thermal expansion of the workpiece as a result of processing with the thermal processing device.

Abstract: A method of processing a workpiece includes supporting the workpiece on a tailstock extending along an axis, thermally processing the workpiece with a processing device, and displacing a portion of the tailstock assembly in response to thermal expansion of the workpiece as a result of processing with the thermal processing device.

Abstract: A method of supporting a rotating member of a tailstock includes rotating a rotating member coupled to a workpiece support slidably mounted in a housing of the tailstock, causing the rotating member to shift along a longitudinal axis in a first direction, and measuring an amount of vertical displacement of the rotating member.

Abstract: A method of supporting a rotating member of a tailstock includes rotating a rotating member coupled to a workpiece support slidably mounted in a housing of the tailstock, causing the rotating member to shift along a longitudinal axis in a first direction, and measuring an amount of vertical displacement of the rotating member.

Abstract: A tailstock for supporting a workpiece along a vertical rotary axis includes a base member, and a housing having a wall including a first end, and a second end, an outer surface, and an inner surface defining a central passage extending between the first and second ends defining a longitudinal axis. The second end is coupled to the base member. A workpiece support extends through the central passage. The workpiece support includes a first end, a second end and an intermediate portion extending therebetween. A linear bearing is coupled to the base member in the central passage. The linear bearing slideably receives the second end of the workpiece support. A displacement sensor assembly includes a stationary portion mounted relative to one of the base member and the housing, and a moveable portion mounted to the second end of the workpiece support.

Abstract: A method of controlling a production process includes illuminating a portion of a workpiece undergoing a production process with a light having a selected wavelength, processing a portion of the workpiece, capturing a digital image of the light reflecting from a surface of the workpiece with a digital camera, performing, with a processor, a specular reflectance analysis of the digital image, and adjusting a production process parameter based on the specular reflectance analysis.

Abstract: A system and method for the automated or “robotic” application of hardfacing to a surface of a drill bit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for automated or “robotic” application of hardfacing to the surface of a steel-toothed cutter of a rock bit. In particular, the system incorporates a grounded adapter plate and chuck mounted to a robotic arm for grasping and manipulating a rock bit cutter beneath an electrical or photonic energy welding source, such as a plasma arc welding torch manipulated by a positioner. In this configuration, the torch is positioned substantially vertically and oscillated along a horizontal axis as the cutter is manipulated relative along a target path for the distribution of hardfacing. Moving the cutter beneath the torch allows more areas of more teeth to be overlayed, and allows superior placement for operational feedback, such as automatic positioning and parameter correction. In the preferred embodiment, sensors provide data to the control system for identification, positioning, welding program selection, and welding program correction.

Abstract: A system and method for the automated or “robotic” application of hardfacing to a surface of a drill bit.

Abstract: A drill bit is provided that includes a force application device on a body of the drill bit. The force application device includes a floating member and a force application member configured to extend from the floating member to apply a force on a wellbore wall when the drill bit is used to drill a wellbore and an actuator configured to actuate the force application member to apply the force to a wellbore wall during drilling of the wellbore.

Abstract: A drill bit is provided that includes a force application device on a body of the drill bit. The force application device includes a force application member pivotally coupled to the drill bit and configured to extend from the drill bit body to apply force on a wellbore wall when the drill bit is used to drill a wellbore, and an actuator configured to actuate the force application member to apply force on a wellbore wall during drilling of the wellbore.

Abstract: A drill bit is provided that in one embodiment includes a force application device on a body of a drill bit, the force application device including a floating member and a force application member configured to extend from the floating member to apply a force on a wellbore wall when the drill bit is used to drill a wellbore.

Abstract: A drill bit is provided that in one embodiment may include a force application device on a drill bit body, wherein the force application device includes a force application member pivotally coupled to the drill bit and configured to extend from the drill bit body to apply force on a wellbore wall when the drill bit is used to drill a wellbore, and an actuator configured to actuate the force application member to apply force on a wellbore wall during drilling of the wellbore.

Abstract: A method and system for manufacturing a earth boring tool, comprising placing a tool in a positioner of an system which then conforms the tool to a model through the performance of a plurality of processing steps thereon. The positioner may move the tool in two axis. The system may include a manipulator which performs each of the processing steps. Alternatively, the system may include a plurality of manipulators, each performing a different one of the processing steps. The processing steps may include various shaping, cleaning, painting, and packaging steps. The processing steps may be performed without removing the tool from the positioner. The tool may be repositioned in the positioner during or between processing steps. For example, performing the processing steps may comprise performing one or more of the process steps, repositioning the tool in the positioner, and re-performing the one or more of the process steps.

Abstract: An earth boring bit has a steel body having at least one leg with a depending bearing pin. A cone having cutting elements is rotatably mounted to the bearing pin. A ball plug weld is on the outer surface of the leg. A layer of hardfacing applied to part of the outer surface of the leg, the hardfacing having carbide particles in a matrix. A corrosion resistant coating containing at least 50% nickel is formed on parts of the outer surface of the leg that are free of the layer of hardfacing both above and below the ball plug weld.

Abstract: An earth-boring bit has at least one steel tooth with a scoop-shaped profile. The scoop-shaped profile is formed by milling and hardfacing a tooth to have at least one flank with a concave profile. Additionally, the tooth may contain one flank with a concave profile and another with a convex profile. The centerline axis of the tooth may be moved to alter the angle between the flanks and the centerline to vary the manner in which the tooth engages the formation.

Abstract: A system and method for the automated or “robotic” application of hardfacing to a surface of a drill bit.

Abstract: A system and method for the automated or “robotic” application of hardfacing to a surface of a drill bit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for automated or “robotic” application of hardfacing to the surface of a steel-toothed cutter of a rock bit. In particular, the system incorporates a grounded adapter plate and chuck mounted to a robotic arm for grasping and manipulating a rock bit cutter beneath an electrical or photonic energy welding source, such as a plasma arc welding torch manipulated by a positioner. In this configuration, the torch is positioned substantially vertically and oscillated along a horizontal axis as the cutter is manipulated relative along a target path for the distribution of hardfacing. Moving the cutter beneath the torch allows more areas of more teeth to be overlayed, and allows superior placement for operational feedback, such as automatic positioning and parameter correction. In the preferred embodiment, sensors provide data to the control system for identification, positioning, welding program selection, and welding program correction.

Abstract: An earth-boring bit has at least one steel tooth with a scoop-shaped profile. The scoop-shaped profile is formed by milling and hardfacing a tooth to have at least one flank with a concave profile. Additionally, the tooth may contain one flank with a concave profile and another with a convex profile. The centerline axis of the tooth may be moved to alter the angle between the flanks and the centerline to vary the manner in which the tooth engages the formation.