Abstract: In a continuous screw conveyor or auger, the rotatable screw member comprises a helical radial blade (“flighting”) carried on a central driving shaft. The flighting is formed by providing a raw metal strip, generally of uniform thickness, performing optional compression and flaring of the metal strip, and rolling the metal strip between a pair of opposed, preferably offset, conical rolls. In contrast to prior art rolls, the present invention provides on at least one of those rolls a stepped conical rolling surface formed so as to exert a lesser and reducing rolling pressure on an outer portion of the helical blade being formed, thereby to produce a blade in which the outer portion tapers to a thickness which is preferably 125% of the thickness of the ingoing material to provide a greater wear resistant surface, a longer working life to the flighting and improved output performance.

Abstract: Methods include one or more of robotically positioning a cutting element on an earth-boring tool, using a power-driven device to move a cutting element on an earth-boring tool, and robotically applying a bonding material for attaching a cutting element to an earth-boring tool. Robotic systems are used to robotically position a cutting element on an earth-boring tool. Systems for orienting a cutting element relative to a tool body include a power-driven device for moving a cutting element on or adjacent the tool body. Systems for positioning and orienting a cutting element on an earth-boring tool include such a power-driven device and a robot for carrying a cutting element. Systems for attaching a cutting element to an earth-boring tool include a robot carrying a torch for heating at least one of a cutting element, a tool body, and a bonding material.

Abstract: A soil auger for creating smooth-walled cylindrical holes in the earth is provided for use with a drill. The auger has a central rotational axis with a tubular body that is open at a bottom cutting end, and enclosed at a top end by a cap assembly. The cap assembly has a top wall and a bottom wall. The top and bottom walls have apertures aligned with the central rotational axis for receiving a shaft in alignment therewith, and for attachment to a drill. The distance between the top wall and bottom wall compared to the overall length of the assembled auger determines the minimum height of the cap assembly to minimize the rotational imbalance of the auger during use for a given body length. A method of manufacturing the auger is provided using precision cutting tools to create apertures in the body and to maintain concentricity of the auger components.

Abstract: Methods include one or more of robotically positioning a cutting element on an earth-boring tool, using a power-driven device to move a cutting element on an earth-boring tool, and robotically applying a bonding material for attaching a cutting element to an earth-boring tool. Robotic systems are used to robotically position a cutting element on an earth-boring tool. Systems for orienting a cutting element relative to a tool body include a power-driven device for moving a cutting element on or adjacent the tool body. Systems for positioning and orienting a cutting element on an earth-boring tool include such a power-driven device and a robot for carrying a cutting element. Systems for attaching a cutting element to an earth-boring tool include a robot carrying a torch for heating at least one of a cutting element, a tool body, and a bonding material.

Abstract: An auger bit and a method of manufacturing the auger bit it is described. The auger bit has an axially-elongated shank portion, a tool-engaging portion on a first end of the shank, and a work-entering head portion on a second end of the shank. The machined bit is neutral heat treated and the cutting face is locally hardened by induction heat treating.

Abstract: A soil auger for creating smooth-walled cylindrical holes in the earth is provided for use with a drill. The auger has a central rotational axis with a tubular body that is open at a bottom cutting end, and enclosed at a top end by a cap assembly. The cap assembly has a top wall and a bottom wall. The top and bottom walls have apertures aligned with the central rotational axis for receiving a shaft in alignment therewith, and for attachment to a drill. The distance between the top wall and bottom wall compared to the overall length of the assembled auger determines the minimum height of the cap assembly to minimize the rotational imbalance of the auger during use for a given body length. A method of manufacturing the auger is provided using precision cutting tools to create apertures in the body and to maintain concentricity of the auger components.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention comprise an auger bit for use with a power drill including an elongated member including a first end and an opposing second end, a helical surface having a central axis, where the helical surface defines at least one flute, a head portion integrally formed with the first end of the elongated member and including a primary cutting edge adapted to engage and remove material from a workpiece and a secondary cutting edge adapted to engage and remove additional material from the workpiece, a threaded tip integrally formed with the head portion and a shank integrally formed with the second end of the elongated member and adapted to engage the drill.

Abstract: Methods for forming bodies of earth-boring drill bits and other tools include milling a plurality of hard particles and a plurality of particles comprising a matrix material to form a mill product comprising powder particles, separating the particles into a plurality of particle size fractions. Some of the particles from the fractions may be combined to form a powder mixture, which may be pressed to form a green body. Additional methods include mixing a plurality of hard particles and a plurality of particles comprising a matrix material to form a powder mixture, and pressing the powder mixture with pressure having an oscillating magnitude to form a green body. In yet additional methods a powder mixture may be pressed within a deformable container to form a green body and drainage of liquid from the container is enabled as the powder mixture is pressed.

Abstract: A mount for interfacing a cutting tool having a generally cylindrical shank portion to a tool holder having a central opening. The mount comprises an elongate, generally cylindrical shank member having first and second ends. The first end is insertable into and securable within the central opening of the tool holder, with the second end including an axially extending bore disposed therein. The shank member is formed to have an outer diameter which slightly exceeds the diameter of the central opening of the tool holder. The bore itself is formed to have a diameter which is slightly less than the diameter of the shank portion of the cutting tool.

Abstract: A spade-type drill bit is disclosed having a shank portion and a spade bit portion extending from the shank portion. The spade bit portion includes a spade portion with a planar region, and a center tip concentric with a longitudinal axis and extending from the spade portion. First and second radial cutting edges extend from the center tip toward first and second corner tips. First and second longitudinal cutting edges extend along longitudinal sides of the spade portion and terminate at the first and second corner tips. The first and second corner tips are located forward of the plane of the spade portion in the direction of rotation of the drill bit. The first and second radial cutting edges, and the first and second longitudinal cutting edges further include curved portions adjacent each of the first and second corner tips. Threads may also be provided on the center tip.

Abstract: A boring bit for boring holes in one or more workpieces such as wood and the like. An axially elongated shank portion of the boring bit has a tool engaging portion at one end and a head portion on a second end. A central axis longitudinally extends through the shank portion. The head portion includes a helically disposed surface on the end of the head portion which is frusto-conically sloped inwardly towards the central axis and generally towards the tool engaging portion. The helical surface has leading and following termini of which the leading terminus is advanced beyond the following terminus more than one-half of a helical revolution around the central axis along the shank portion. A cutting face, which is a planar surface, is perpendicularly spaced away from and extends parallel to the central axis. The cutting face intersects the leading terminus for scribing the bore circumference and scraping material from a workpiece when the boring bit is employed to form a bore in such a workpiece.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing high viscosity paste materials onto a seal edge includes a conditioning chamber which permits the build up of a back pressure to aid the exit of the paste from the outlet orifice of the chamber. An auger which dispenses the paste from a hopper to the seal edge has a unique thread pitch to also aid in the dispensing of high viscosity paste to the seal edge.

Abstract: A helical surface-shaped machine part or component having a radially extended flank profile or section. At least two components wound in the same direction are joined together by means of their contacting coils in such a manner that their cross-sections augment one another to form the complete flank profile or section.

Abstract: A boring tool for woodworking, and more particularly, a method of manufacturing the cutter head from a blank of cylindrical tool steel bar stock. The opposite ends of the cylindrical blank are turned to the desired radius for the cutter head, a transverse internally threaded recess is provided along a diameter of the blank at its mid-length, and the blank is machined to provide a central hub surrounding the recess with oppositely directed radial arms extending therefrom. The surface of the blank opposite the recess is faced to provide cutting edges, and a shank and lead screw are fixed in the recess.