Abstract: A superabrasive element may be produced by laser ablating at least a portion of a superabrasive element to form a laser-shaped surface and exposing at least a portion of the laser-shaped surface to a leaching solution to define a leached volume and an unleached volume.

Abstract: Leaching assemblies for processing superabrasive elements element and methods of processing superabrasive elements include a protective leaching cup and a liner for receiving at least a portion of a superabrasive element. The liner may include a rear wall, a side wall, and a tapered interface extending between the side wall and the rear wall.

Abstract: Method of processing a polycrystalline diamond element may include laser ablating at least a portion of a polycrystalline diamond element to form a laser-shaped surface and exposing at least a portion of the laser-shaped surface to a leaching solution to define a leached polycrystalline diamond volume and an unleached polycrystalline diamond volume.

Abstract: Method of processing a polycrystalline diamond element may include laser ablating at least a portion of a polycrystalline diamond element to form a laser-shaped surface and exposing at least a portion of the laser-shaped surface to a leaching solution to define a leached polycrystalline diamond volume and an unleached polycrystalline diamond volume.

Abstract: A polycrystalline diamond element includes a polycrystalline diamond table having a body of bonded diamond particles with interstitial regions. A first volume of the body includes an interstitial material and a second volume of the body has a lower concentration of interstitial material within the interstitial regions than the first volume. The polycrystalline diamond element includes an element face and a peripheral surface. The first volume is adjacent to a central portion of the element face and the second volume is adjacent to the peripheral surface. A method of processing a polycrystalline diamond element includes forming a concave region in the polycrystalline diamond element, exposing at least a portion of the concave region to a leaching solution, and removing at least a portion of the polycrystalline diamond element that was exposed to the leaching solution from the polycrystalline diamond element.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to protective leaching masks, and methods of manufacturing and using the same for leaching superabrasive elements such as polycrystalline diamond elements. In an embodiment, a protective leaching mask assembly includes a superabrasive element including a central axis and a superabrasive table, and a protective mask formed to protect at least a portion of the superabrasive element. The protective mask includes a base portion and at least one sidewall extending from the base portion and defining an opening generally opposite the base portion. The at least one sidewall includes an inner surface configured to abut with a selected portion of the superabrasive element being chemically resistant to a leaching agent and an outer surface sloping at an oblique angle relative to the central axis.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to overmolded protective leaching masks, and methods of manufacturing and using the same for leaching superabrasive elements such as polycrystalline diamond elements. In an embodiment, a protective leaching mask assembly includes a superabrasive element including a central axis and a superabrasive table, and a protective mask overmolded onto at least a portion of the superabrasive element. The protective mask includes a base portion and at least one sidewall extending from the base portion and defining an opening generally opposite the base portion. The at least one sidewall includes an inner surface configured to abut with a selected portion of the superabrasive element being chemically resistant to a leaching agent and an outer surface sloping at an oblique angle relative to the central axis.

Abstract: Leaching assemblies for processing superabrasive elements element and methods of processing superabrasive elements include a protective leaching cup and a liner for receiving at least a portion of a superabrasive element. The liner may include a rear wall, a side wall, and a tapered interface extending between the side wall and the rear wall.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to nozzles for three-dimensional printing and related nozzle assemblies and methods. An example nozzle includes at least one top surface, at least one bottom surface, and at least one lateral surface extending from or near the top surface to or near the bottom surface. The nozzle includes at least one conduit surface defining a conduit. The conduit surface extends from or near the top surface to or near the bottom surface. In an embodiment, at least a portion of the conduit surface proximate to the top surface is non-vertical (e.g., defines a non-cylindrical or non-rectangular shape). The non-vertical conduit surface may be positioned such that it is not parallel to a central axis of the nozzle extending from the top surface to the bottom surface.

Abstract: A method of processing a polycrystalline diamond element may include providing a protective leaching cup having a rear wall, an opening defined by a portion of the protective leaching cup opposite the rear wall, and a side wall extending between the opening and the rear wall, the side wall and the rear wall defining a cavity within the protective leaching cup. The method may further include positioning a polycrystalline diamond element in the cavity defined within the protective leaching cup. Positioning the polycrystalline diamond element in the cavity may include expanding at least a portion of the opening outward from a center of the opening. The method may additionally include exposing at least a portion of the polycrystalline diamond element to a leaching agent.

Abstract: A method of processing a polycrystalline diamond element may include assembling a polycrystalline diamond element, a liner, and a protective leaching cup such that the liner is disposed between the polycrystalline diamond element and the protective leaching cup and a seal region of the protective leaching cup abuts a surface portion of the polycrystalline diamond element. The method may also include exposing a portion of the polycrystalline diamond element to a leaching agent. A method of processing a polycrystalline diamond element may also include surrounding a portion of a polycrystalline diamond element with a liner, inserting the liner and the polycrystalline diamond element into a protective leaching cup such that the liner is disposed between the polycrystalline diamond element and the protective leaching cup, and exposing another portion of the polycrystalline diamond element to a leaching agent.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a protective leaching cup may include a base portion, at least one sidewall defining an opening general opposite the base portion, and a receiving space in communication with the opening and at least partially defined by the base portion and the sidewall. The receiving space is sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the superabrasive element. A seal contact portion is located on an inner surface of the sidewall. The seal contact portion is configured to form a seal against the superabrasive element that is at least partially impermeable to fluid(s). At least one of the seal contact portion or the sidewall includes material(s) exhibiting a flexural modulus greater than about 150,000 psi at room temperature.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to cutting tool assemblies, material-removing machines that include cutting tool assemblies, and methods of use and operation thereof. In some embodiments, the cutting tool assemblies described herein may be used in material-removing machines that may remove target material. For example, the cutting tool assemblies may include one or more superhard working surfaces and/or one or more shields.

Abstract: A polycrystalline diamond element includes a polycrystalline diamond table having a body of bonded diamond particles with interstitial regions. A first volume of the body includes an interstitial material and a second volume of the body has a lower concentration of interstitial material within the interstitial regions than the first volume. The polycrystalline diamond element includes an element face and a peripheral surface. The first volume is adjacent to a central portion of the element face and the second volume is adjacent to the peripheral surface. A method of processing a polycrystalline diamond element includes forming a concave region in the polycrystalline diamond element, exposing at least a portion of the concave region to a leaching solution, and removing at least a portion of the polycrystalline diamond material that was exposed to the leaching solution from the polycrystalline diamond element.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to cutting tool assemblies, material-removing machines that include cutting tool assemblies, and methods of use and operation thereof. In some embodiments, the cutting tool assemblies described herein may be used in material-removing machines that may remove target material. For example, the cutting tool assemblies may include one or more superhard working surfaces and/or one or more shields.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to cutting tool assemblies, material-removing machines that include cutting tool assemblies, and methods of use and operation thereof. In some embodiments, the cutting tool assemblies described herein may be used in material-removing machines that may remove target material. For example, the cutting tool assemblies may include one or more superhard working surfaces and/or one or more shields.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to overmolded protective leaching masks, and methods of manufacturing and using the same for leaching superabrasive elements such as polycrystalline diamond elements. In an embodiment, a protective leaching mask assembly includes a superabrasive element including a central axis and a superabrasive table, and a protective mask overmolded onto at least a portion of the superabrasive element. The protective mask includes a base portion and at least one sidewall extending from the base portion and defining an opening generally opposite the base portion. The at least one sidewall includes an inner surface configured to abut with a selected portion of the superabrasive element being chemically resistant to a leaching agent and an outer surface sloping at an oblique angle relative to the central axis.

Abstract: A protective leaching cup includes a rear wall, an opening defined in a portion of the protective leaching cup opposite the rear wall, and a side wall extending between the opening and the rear wall, the side wall and the rear wall defining a cavity within the protective leaching cup. The side wall has a seal region adjacent the opening of the protective leaching cup, the seal region having a first inner diameter, and an encapsulating region extending between the seal region and the rear wall, the encapsulating region having a second inner diameter that is greater than the first inner diameter.

Abstract: A method of processing a polycrystalline diamond element may include assembling a polycrystalline diamond element, a liner, and a protective leaching cup such that the liner is disposed between the polycrystalline diamond element and the protective leaching cup and a seal region of the protective leaching cup abuts a surface portion of the polycrystalline diamond element. The method may also include exposing a portion of the polycrystalline diamond element to a leaching agent. A method of processing a polycrystalline diamond element may also include surrounding a portion of a polycrystalline diamond element with a liner, inserting the liner and the polycrystalline diamond element into a protective leaching cup such that the liner is disposed between the polycrystalline diamond element and the protective leaching cup, and exposing another portion of the polycrystalline diamond element to a leaching agent.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a protective leaching cup may include a base portion, at least one sidewall defining an opening general opposite the base portion, and a receiving space in communication with the opening and at least partially defined by the base portion and the sidewall. The receiving space is sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the superabrasive element. A seal contact portion is located on an inner surface of the sidewall. The seal contact portion is configured to form a seal against the superabrasive element that is at least partially impermeable to fluid(s). At least one of the seal contact portion or the sidewall includes material(s) exhibiting a flexural modulus greater than about 150,000 psi at room temperature.