Material-removal systems, cutting tools therefor, and related methods

A method of removing material, the method comprising:

• moving a plurality of cutting tools about a rotation axis, each of the plurality of cutting tools includes a tool body and a cutting element, the tool body of each of the plurality of cutting tools having a front surface, a front slanted surface extending from the front surface, a back surface, a pocket formed in the tool body between the front slanted surface and the back surface, the pocket comprising a first surface and a second surface, the cutting element of each of the plurality cutting tools being secured to the tool body at least partially within the pocket and including a substrate having a back surface, a superhard table opposite to the back surface of the substrate and having a working surface offset from the front slanted surface and oriented at a back rake angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the tool body and a side rake angle, wherein the first surface extends from the front slanted surface, is shaped complementary to a portion of the substrate, and is adjacent to only a portion of a side surface of the substrate, and the second surface extends from the back surface of the tool body and is adjacent to the back surface of the substrate;
• advancing the plurality of cutting tools toward a target material;
• and
• engaging at least the working surfaces of the cutting tools with the target material, thereby failing at least some of the target material while having the working surfaces of the cutting tools oriented at the back rake angle and the side rake angle.

A material-removal system, comprising:

• a cutting head rotatable about a rotation axis;
• and
• a plurality of cutting tools mounted on the cutting head, at least two of the plurality of cutting tools being positioned at different radial locations relative to the rotation axis of the cutting head, and each of the plurality of cutting tools including:
• a tool body having a front surface, a front slanted surface extending from the front surface, a back surface, a pocket formed in the tool body between the front slanted surface and the back surface, the pocket comprising a first surface and a second surface;
• and
• a cutting element attached to the tool body to secure the cutting element at least partially within the pocket, the cutting element including a substrate and a polycrystalline diamond table having a substantially planar working surface offset from the front slanted surface and oriented at a back rake angle of 15 degrees to 20 degrees with respect to a longitudinal axis of the tool body and a side rake angle of 15 degrees to 20 degrees, the substrate including a back surface opposite to the superhard table;
• wherein the first surface extends from the front slanted surface, is shaped complementary to a portion of the substrate, and is adjacent to only a portion of a side surface of the substrate, and the second surface extends from the back surface of the tool body and is adjacent to the back surface of the substrate.