A new scanning electrochemical microscopy tip positioning method that allows topography and surface activity to be resolved independently is presented. A SECM tip is oscillated relative to the surface of interest. Changes in the oscillation amplitude, caused by the intermittent contact of the SECM tip with the surface of interest, are used to detect the surface of interest, and as a feedback signal for various types of imaging

Embodiments described herein relate to material-removal systems as well as cutting tools and cutting tool assemblies that may be used in the material-removal systems. More specifically, for example, the material-removal systems, and particularly the cutting tools, may engage and fail target material. In some instances, the material-removal systems may be used in mining operations.

Embodiments described herein relate to material-removal systems as well as cutting tools and cutting tool assemblies that may be used in the material-removal systems. More specifically, for example, the material-removal systems, and particularly the cutting tools, may engage and fail target material. In some instances, the material-removal systems may be used in mining operations.

A bolster for a degradation pick includes a transverse cross section that is non-circular. Non-circular cross sections include square, triangular, hexagonal and other shapes. The bolster is made from a wear and/or erosion resistant material. The wear and/or erosion resistant material helps to protect the shank of the degradation pick. The bolster has a matching shape to the shape of the shank of the degradation pick.

A bolster for a degradation pick includes a transverse cross section that is non-circular. Non-circular cross sections include square, triangular, hexagonal and other shapes. The bolster is made from a wear and/or erosion resistant material. The wear and/or erosion resistant material helps to protect the shank of the degradation pick. The bolster has a matching shape to the shape of the shank of the degradation pick.

The invention relates to a milling pick, in particular a round pick having a pick head and a pick tip, consisting of a hard material, wherein the pick tip has an attachment area, which is used to connect it to the pick head, wherein the pick tip has a concave area, which extends in the direction of the central longitudinal axis of the pick tip, and wherein the concave area has an elliptical contour. To achieve an improved resilience for such a milling pick, provision in made in accordance with the invention that the ellipse generating the elliptical contour is arranged in such a way that the semimajor of the ellipse and the central longitudinal axis of the pick tip form an acute angle.

The invention relates to a milling pick, in particular a round pick having a pick head and a pick tip, consisting of a hard material, wherein the pick tip has an attachment area, which is used to connect it to the pick head, wherein the pick tip has a concave area, which extends in the direction of the central longitudinal axis of the pick tip, and wherein the concave area has an elliptical contour. To achieve an improved resilience for such a milling pick, provision in made in accordance with the invention that the ellipse generating the elliptical contour is arranged in such a way that the semimajor of the ellipse and the central longitudinal axis of the pick tip form an acute angle.

A bit tip insert on a bit/holder, tool, and/or pick for road milling operations that includes a body including a tip and a base subjacent the tip The bit tip insert also includes at least one heat transfer bore extending from a distal end and/or bottom of the body to a bore termination disposed within the base and/or the tip of the bit tip insert. The at least one bore of the bit tip insert is adapted to allow inward contraction when the overlay transfers heat into the base during operation.

A bit tip insert on a bit/holder, tool, and/or pick for road milling operations that includes a body including a tip and a base subjacent the tip The bit tip insert also includes at least one heat transfer bore extending from a distal end and/or bottom of the body to a bore termination disposed within the base and/or the tip of the bit tip insert. The at least one bore of the bit tip insert is adapted to allow inward contraction when the overlay transfers heat into the base during operation.

A diamond coated tip for a non-rotatable bit/holder for road milling operations that includes an overlay of diamond material and a base. An outer surface of the overlay including a tip, at least two parabolic sections, and a generally cylindrical section. The overlay can also include an overfill portion of adjacent the generally cylindrical section.