Methods for attaching cutting elements to an earth-boring bit rely on keying the cutting elements inside cavities formed in the earth-boring bit. The attachment methods may involve specific shapes of the cutting elements and the cavities in which the cutting elements are received, and/or mechanical retainers. Preferably, the blade of the earth-boring bit is thicker around the opening in the edge of the blade than when the cavity is shaped for receiving a cutting element that has a circular cross-section.

Automated systems and methods for drilling while driving foundation components are provided. In some cases, based on detected conditions, it may be desirable for an automated controller to change the bore diameter of a drill bit during a drilling and driving operation. The need for this may be determined based on monitoring the output of one or more sensors related to one or more corresponding performance metrics of the drilling and driving operation.

Automated systems and methods for drilling while driving foundation components are provided. In some cases, based on detected conditions, it may be desirable for an automated controller to change the bore diameter of a drill bit during a drilling and driving operation. The need for this may be determined based on monitoring the output of one or more sensors related to one or more corresponding performance metrics of the drilling and driving operation.

An earth-boring tool includes a body, a plurality of fixed blades, a first plurality of cutting elements secured to the plurality of fixed blades, a plurality of removable blade assemblies removably coupled to the body, and a second plurality of cutting elements secured to the plurality of removable blade assemblies, each cutting element of the second plurality of cutting elements exhibiting an aggressiveness that is less than an aggressiveness of each cutting element of the first plurality of cutting elements. A method of forming an earth-boring tool includes forming a body and a plurality of fixed blades extending from the body, securing a first plurality of cutting elements to the plurality of fixed blades, removably coupling at least one removable blade assembly to the body, and securing a second plurality of cutting elements to the at least one removable blade assembly.

An earth-boring tool includes a body, a plurality of fixed blades, a first plurality of cutting elements secured to the plurality of fixed blades, a plurality of removable blade assemblies removably coupled to the body, and a second plurality of cutting elements secured to the plurality of removable blade assemblies, each cutting element of the second plurality of cutting elements exhibiting an aggressiveness that is less than an aggressiveness of each cutting element of the first plurality of cutting elements. A method of forming an earth-boring tool includes forming a body and a plurality of fixed blades extending from the body, securing a first plurality of cutting elements to the plurality of fixed blades, removably coupling at least one removable blade assembly to the body, and securing a second plurality of cutting elements to the at least one removable blade assembly.

The invention discloses a mechanics calculation method of drill bit tooth considering rock dynamic strength and mixed crushing mode, including: Step S1: selecting a target drill bit tooth and a target rock, and determining a type of target drill bit tooth, a geometry of the target drill bit tooth, a rock type and rock parameters of the target rock; Step S2: calculating a horizontal cutting force of the target drill bit tooth according to a horizontal cutting mechanics calculation method of drill bit tooth; Step S3: calculating a vertical penetration force of the target drill bit tooth according to a vertical penetration mechanics calculation method of drill bit tooth; Step S4: calculating a resultant force experienced by the target drill bit tooth according to a resultant force calculation method of drill bit tooth. The invention provides a calculation method for accurately obtaining drill bit tooth mechanics under different working conditions.

The invention discloses a mechanics calculation method of drill bit tooth considering rock dynamic strength and mixed crushing mode, including: Step S1: selecting a target drill bit tooth and a target rock, and determining a type of target drill bit tooth, a geometry of the target drill bit tooth, a rock type and rock parameters of the target rock; Step S2: calculating a horizontal cutting force of the target drill bit tooth according to a horizontal cutting mechanics calculation method of drill bit tooth; Step S3: calculating a vertical penetration force of the target drill bit tooth according to a vertical penetration mechanics calculation method of drill bit tooth; Step S4: calculating a resultant force experienced by the target drill bit tooth according to a resultant force calculation method of drill bit tooth. The invention provides a calculation method for accurately obtaining drill bit tooth mechanics under different working conditions.

The invention discloses a drill bit design method based on rock crushing principle with local variable strength, including: drill bit is divided into local crushing feature regions; strength mode factors of the local crushing feature regions are calculated; a difference among strength mode factors of the local crushing feature regions is obtained to obtain a vector sum of horizontal cutting forces of the drill bit tooth corresponding to the same group of cutting tooth on the drill bit; treating the difference among the strength mode factors of the local crushing feature region as a target control condition for drill bit design. Based on the rock crushing principle with local variable strength, after dividing the symmetrical cutting tooth into groups, the strength variation factors of the symmetrical position are adjusted and balanced, so that the rock crushing strength of different local crushing feature regions can be changed in a targeted manner.

The invention discloses a drill bit design method based on rock crushing principle with local variable strength, including: drill bit is divided into local crushing feature regions; strength mode factors of the local crushing feature regions are calculated; a difference among strength mode factors of the local crushing feature regions is obtained to obtain a vector sum of horizontal cutting forces of the drill bit tooth corresponding to the same group of cutting tooth on the drill bit; treating the difference among the strength mode factors of the local crushing feature region as a target control condition for drill bit design. Based on the rock crushing principle with local variable strength, after dividing the symmetrical cutting tooth into groups, the strength variation factors of the symmetrical position are adjusted and balanced, so that the rock crushing strength of different local crushing feature regions can be changed in a targeted manner.

A downhole tool includes a blade coupled to a body. The body and blade rotate about a longitudinal axis. A pre-formed faceplate is connected to the blade and partially defines a cutter pocket therein. Another portion of the cutter pocket is defined by the blade. The cutter pocket includes a sidewall and a base, with the sidewall formed by the blade and the pre-formed faceplate, and the base formed by the blade. The pre-formed faceplate includes a pre-formed hardfacing element. A downhole tool includes a blade coupled to a body. The body and blade rotate about a longitudinal axis. A pre-formed segment is connected to the blade and has a cutter pocket therein. The cutter pocket includes a sidewall and a base, and a cutting element is coupled to the pre-formed segment and within the cutter pocket. The pre-formed segment is optionally made of a different material than the blade and has increased wear and/or erosion resistance compared to the blade.