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.

The invention relates to an interchangeable chisel holder (40) which can be fixed to a milling drum (15) of a ground-working machine (10), having a forward chisel holder (42) for the interchangeable holding of a forward chisel (20), preferably a round-shaft chisel, and having a rearward chisel (30, 31), which is held on the interchangeable chisel holder (40), wherein, as based on a working movement (76) of the interchangeable chisel holder (40) when used in the ground-working machine (10), the rearward chisel (30, 31) is arranged behind the forward chisel holder (42). In such an interchangeable candleholder (40) provision can be made, according to the invention, for the rearward chisel (30, 31) to be held on the interchangeable chisel holder (40) axially and fixed in the circumferential direction of the chisel holder. Maintenance-induced stoppages of the ground-working machine can thus be reduced

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 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.

The invention relates to a tool combination consisting of a chisel holder, which can be fastened to a milling drum of a soil tillage machine, and at least one leading and one trailing chisel, which are retained on the chisel holder, wherein the trailing chisel is arranged after the leading chisel, based on a working movement of the tool combination in use in the soil tillage machine, and wherein each chisel has a chisel tip having a cutter. According to the invention the trailing chisel tip of the trailing chisel has, at least in some areas, a greater hardness than the leading chisel tip of the leading chisel. Thus stoppage times of the soil tillage machine for maintenance can be reduced and the loss of chisels can at least be decreased.

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 of the invention are directed to cutting tool assemblies, material-removing machines that include cutting tool assemblies, and methods of use and operation thereof. In some embodiments, the cutting tool assemblies described herein may be used in material-removing machines that may remove target material. For example, the cutting tool assemblies may include one or more superhard working surfaces and/or one or more shields.

This disclosure relates to a system for removing road material. In an embodiment, the system may include a milling drum and at least one pick mounted on the milling drum. Furthermore, the pick may include polycrystalline diamond at least partially forming one or more working surfaces of the 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.

Embodiments of the invention generally relate to tunnel boring machine cutter assemblies, such as ripping and scraping cutter or tool assemblies, (collectively cutter assemblies), and related methods of use and manufacturing. The various embodiments of the cutter assemblies described herein may be used in tunnel boring machines (TBMs), earth pressure balance machines (EPBs), raise drilling systems, large diameter blind drilling systems, and other types of mechanical drilling and excavation systems.