Appeal No. 1999-2010
Application No. 08/684,635
locations, but the rapid prototyping technique produces very
near net shape products. Such a replica of a bit body can be
produced in a stable plastic. One then forms a somewhat
flexible rubber layer on the plastic body to have an
internal surface complementary to the plastic bit replica.
The rubber layer is peeled off and used as a mold to receive a
liquid wax which solidifies to form a replica of a bit body.
Once again the rubber mold is removed and the wax replica is
then used in a more or less conventional lost wax technique
for producing a mold cavity for sand casting or the like.
Molten steel cast into the lost wax cavity produces a bit body
requiring very little cleanup before the polycrystalline
diamond inserts are brazed into place. Most of the hand labor
of making a mold for a bit is thus eliminated. A further
understanding of the invention is obtained by the following
claim:
1. A method for making an earth boring bit having
cutting elements comprising the steps of:
determining a bit body geometry desired for
drilling a specific earth formation;
3
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