Method and apparatus for forming an overlay between cutter pockets of a polycrystalline diamond rock bit

Abstract

A method of forming an overlay between cutter pockets of a polycrystalline diamond rock bit includes inserting a plurality of ceramic dams respectively into the cutter pockets of the rock bit, and applying a hardfacing material using a plasma arc welding process onto a substrate of the rock bit in spaces between the ceramic dams so as to form the overlay. The ceramic dams are electrically non-conductive. Each of the ceramic dams has a cylindrical shape. The cutter pockets are drilled into the substrate of the rock bit. The ceramic dams are inserted into the respective drilled cutter pockets prior to the step of applying the hardfacing material. The ceramic dams can be removed and polycrystalline diamond bits inserted into the pockets.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.