A method of processing a polycrystalline diamond material includes exposing at least a portion of a polycrystalline diamond material to a processing agent for processing at least a portion of the polycrystalline diamond material. The method further includes applying a body force to the volume of processing agent while at least the portion of the polycrystalline diamond material is exposed to the processing agent, and heating at least one of the processing agent and at least the portion of the polycrystalline diamond material exposed to the processing agent during application of the body force to the processing agent.

The present disclosure describes various embodiments, as well as features and aspects thereof, of an improved drill bit assembly for a percussion boring system. More specifically, one non-limiting embodiment of an improved drill bit assembly for a percussion boring system comprises a bit and a product engagement member. The bit comprises a slant faced head and at least one exhaust port. The product engagement member comprises a product coupling portion and at least one fluid restriction portion. This improved drill bit assembly is such that, when the product engagement member is detachably engaged with the slant faced head of the bit, a first portion of the fluid stream expelled from the bit is directed substantially forward of the slant faced head and a second portion of the fluid stream is directed substantially rearward from the slant faced head.

The present disclosure describes various embodiments, as well as features and aspects thereof, of an improved drill bit assembly for a percussion boring system. More specifically, one non-limiting embodiment of an improved drill bit assembly for a percussion boring system comprises a bit and a product engagement member. The bit comprises a slant faced head and at least one exhaust port. The product engagement member comprises a product coupling portion and at least one fluid restriction portion. This improved drill bit assembly is such that, when the product engagement member is detachably engaged with the slant faced head of the bit, a first portion of the fluid stream expelled from the bit is directed substantially forward of the slant faced head and a second portion of the fluid stream is directed substantially rearward from the slant faced head.

A drilling method and apparatus. A drilling device includes a plastic casing part and a drilling unit arranged essentially inside the casing part. The drilling unit includes a first drilling part for drilling a center hole and a second drilling part for reaming the center hole for the casing part. The drilling parts are arranged at a drilling head. The drilling parts are coupled in a power transmitting manner or in a radially contractable manner in connection with the casing part. A casing shoe is mounted at an end of the casing part. In coupling of the casing shoe at an end of the casing part, a casing shoe is used that includes a working member. The casing shoe is mounted at the end of the casing part by treating the casing part to provide a joint between the casting part and the casing shoe that transmits pulling.

A drilling method and apparatus. A drilling device includes a plastic casing part and a drilling unit arranged essentially inside the casing part. The drilling unit includes a first drilling part for drilling a center hole and a second drilling part for reaming the center hole for the casing part. The drilling parts are arranged at a drilling head. The drilling parts are coupled in a power transmitting manner or in a radially contractable manner in connection with the casing part. A casing shoe is mounted at an end of the casing part. In coupling of the casing shoe at an end of the casing part, a casing shoe is used that includes a working member. The casing shoe is mounted at the end of the casing part by treating the casing part to provide a joint between the casting part and the casing shoe that transmits pulling.

A percussive rock drill bit includes a head provided with an elongate shank. A plurality of front cutting inserts are distributed at a front face of the head and are grouped into a plurality of sets, with each set being positioned at a different radial distance from a central axis. Each set of inserts includes the same number of inserts to maximize drilling rate and service lifetime of the drill bit.

A percussive rock drill bit includes a head provided with an elongate shank. A plurality of front cutting inserts are distributed at a front face of the head and are grouped into a plurality of sets, with each set being positioned at a different radial distance from a central axis. Each set of inserts includes the same number of inserts to maximize drilling rate and service lifetime of the drill bit.

Cutters for a downhole drill bit can be formed by providing a catalyst-free synthesized polycrystalline diamond (PCD) having a cross-sectional dimension of at least 8 millimeters; providing a substrate comprising tungsten carbide; and attaching the synthesized PCD to the substrate comprising tungsten carbide to form a PDC cutter.

Cutters for a downhole drill bit can be formed by providing a catalyst-free synthesized polycrystalline diamond (PCD) having a cross-sectional dimension of at least 8 millimeters; providing a substrate comprising tungsten carbide; and attaching the synthesized PCD to the substrate comprising tungsten carbide to form a PDC cutter.