Precision polycrystalline diamond compact (pdc) pockets

Abstract

Method of manufacturing and remanufacturing wellbore drill bits and wellbore drill bit manufactured or remanufactured by the methods are disclosed. The manufacturing method comprises providing a drill bit having at least one blade, providing at least one cutter pocket in each blade, providing a registration device in each cutter pocket, and positioning a cutting surface within each cutter pocket and in engagement with each the registration device therein.

1 . A method of manufacturing a wellbore drill bit, comprising:
 providing a drill bit having at least one blade;   providing at least one cutter pocket in each blade;   providing a registration device in each cutter pocket; and   positioning a cutting surface within each cutter pocket and in engagement with each the registration device therein.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each cutting surface is a polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC). 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a registration device is milled into each cutter pocket. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the registration device aligns the cutting surface within the cutter pocket. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the alignment comprises coaxially aligning the cutting surface with the cutter pocket. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the alignment occurs automatically. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each cutting surface is positioned within the associated cutter pocket with a constant peripheral brazed joint of between 0.004″ and 0.006″ between the cutting surface and the cutter pocket. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cutting surface is brazed into the cutter pocket. 
     
     
         9 . A method of remanufacturing a wellbore drill bit, comprising:
 providing a drill bit having at least one blade;   providing at least one cutter pocket in each blade;   providing a registration device in each cutter pocket;   positioning a cutting surface within each cutter pocket and in engagement with each the registration device therein;   distributing the drill bit for use;   receiving the drill bit after use;   assessing each cutting surface;   removing damaged cutting surfaces; and   replacing the damaged cutting surfaces with new cutting surfaces within each cutter pocket and in engagement with each the registration device therein.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein each cutting surface is a polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC). 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein a registration device is milled into each cutter pocket. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the registration device aligns the cutting surface within the cutter pocket. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the alignment comprises coaxially aligning the cutting surface with the cutter pocket. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the alignment occurs automatically. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein each cutting surface is positioned within the associated cutter pocket with a constant peripheral brazed joint of between 0.004″ and 0.006″ between the cutting surface and the cutter pocket. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the new cutting surfaces have the same tolerances as the replaced cutting surfaces. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the step of removing damaged cutting surfaces occurs without damaging the registration devices. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the use is drilling a wellbore. 
     
     
         19 . A wellbore drill bit manufactured by the method of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         20 . A wellbore drill bit remanufactured by the method of  claim 9 .