Improvements in previous bit assembly components including shortened slotted shanks and shortened base block bore receiving portions disclose relationships between shank differential interference portions and the corresponding base block bores. Changes in the differences in interference angles lead to changes in slot width, length and steel hardnesses in order to provide necessary retaining forces between the shank and base block bore.

A tool for removing material includes a body, an ultrahard insert, and a matrix. The body has a forward portion, an opposing rear portion, and a longitudinal axis therebetween. The ultrahard insert includes an ultrahard material, and the ultrahard insert is mounted to and contacts the body proximate the forward portion. The matrix contacts the body and the ultrahard insert. The matrix is mechanically interlocked with the body and at least a portion of the matrix is positioned circumferentially around at least a portion of the forward portion of the body.

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

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 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.

The present invention provides a rotatable cutting tool with a bit, a washer, and a retainer. The retainer surrounds at least a portion of the shank of the bit. Wear on the shank is reduced by providing a retainer with a controlled hardness that is less than the hardness of the shank of the bit, while still allowing similar wear on the retainer.

A rotatable or non-rotatable bit for road milling, mining, and trenching equipment that includes a substantially solid body and a substantially solid, generally cylindrical shank depending from a bottom of the body. The bit also includes a forward portion integrally formed at a forward end of the body. The forward portion includes a bore adapted to receive a bit tip insert. Additionally, the bit can also include an insert or transition member disposed within the bore of the forward portion, the insert including a bore adapted to receive the bit tip insert.

This disclosure relates to a pick tool suitable for road milling. The pick tool comprises a central axis, an impact tip and a support body, and the impact tip is joined to the support body at a non-planar interface. The non-planar interface comprises two co-axial and annular interface surfaces.

This disclosure relates to a pick tool suitable for road milling. The pick tool comprises a central axis, an impact tip and a support body, and the impact tip is joined to the support body at a non-planar interface. The non-planar interface comprises two co-axial and annular interface surfaces.