Laser-brazed pcd element

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an industrial device, such as a drill bit that may be fabricated by performing a first coupling process that includes activating an attachment material between a first cutter element and a first recess of a bit body, monitoring a temperature associated with the first cutter element by a camera, and adjusting one or more parameters associated with the laser in response to output from the camera. The process may be repeated for a plurality of cutter elements. The disclosure further includes the process and a system to perform the process.

1 . A method for fabricating a bit body, the method comprising:
 performing a first coupling process, the first coupling process comprising:
 heating an attachment material located along at least a portion of an attachment joint between a first cutter element and a first recess of a bit body, wherein heating comprises applying a substantially automated heat source; 
 monitoring a temperature of the first cutter element, the bit body, the attachment joint, or the attachment material using a camera; and 
 adjusting at least one parameter associated with the laser in response to at least one output from the camera related to the monitored temperature. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more parameters associated with the laser comprise the intensity of the laser. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more parameters associated with the laser comprise the location of the laser. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more parameters associated with the laser comprise the heating pattern of the laser. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 rotating the bit body to expose a second cutter element to the substantially automated heat source, the second cutter element located within a second recess of the bit body; and   performing a second coupling process, wherein the second coupling process is substantially similar to the first coupling process.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first recess is configured to mechanically lock the first cutter element within the recess. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first recess is configured to mechanically lock the first cutter element along an axis tangential to the surface of the bit body. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first recess is configured to mechanically lock the first cutter element along an axis perpendicular to the surface of the bit body. 
     
     
         9 . An automated monitoring system comprising:
 a substantially automated heat source configured to apply a laser to a first cutter element located in a first recess of a bit body, to the bit body, to an attachment joint between the cutter element and bit body, or to an attachment material; and   a camera configured to monitor a temperature of the first cutter element, the bit body, the attachment joint, or the attachment material.   
     
     
         10 . The automated monitoring system of  claim 9 , wherein the camera is communicatively coupled to the automated heat source. 
     
     
         11 . The automated monitoring system of  claim 10 , wherein the substantially automated heat source is further configured to alter the intensity of the laser in response to at least one output from the camera related to the monitored temperature. 
     
     
         12 . The automated monitoring system of  claim 10 , wherein the substantially automated heat source is further configured to alter the location of the laser in response to at least one output from the camera related to the monitored temperature. 
     
     
         13 . The automated monitoring system of  claim 10 , wherein the substantially automated heat source is further configured to alter the heating pattern of the laser in response to at least one output from the camera related to the monitored temperature. 
     
     
         14 . The automated monitoring system of  claim 9 , further comprising an electronic display communicatively coupled to the camera, the electronic display configured to display at least one output from the camera related to the monitored temperature. 
     
     
         15 . The automated monitoring system of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a processor communicatively coupled to the substantially automated heat source; and   non-transitory, computer-readable media communicatively coupled to the processor, the computer-readable media having stored thereon instructions which, when executed, cause the processor to:   automatically adjust at least one parameter associated with the laser in response to at least one output from the camera, wherein the output is related to a temperature of the first cutter element.   
     
     
         16 . An earth-boring drill bit comprising:
 a first cutter element located in a first recess of a bit body; and   an attachment material located in the first recess, wherein:
 the attachment material is activated by a substantially automated heat source by applying a laser; and 
 the temperature of the first cutter element is monitored by a camera. 
   
     
     
         17 . The earth-boring drill bit of  claim 16 , wherein the camera is communicatively coupled to the automated heat source. 
     
     
         18 . The earth-boring drill bit of  claim 17 , wherein the substantially automated heat source is configured to alter the intensity of the laser in response to at least one output from the camera related to the monitored temperature. 
     
     
         19 . The earth-boring drill bit of  claim 17 , wherein the substantially automated heat source is configured to alter the location of the laser in response to at least one output from the camera related to the monitored temperature. 
     
     
         20 . The earth-boring drill bit of  claim 17 , wherein the substantially automated heat source is configured to alter the heating pattern of the laser in response to at least one output from the camera related to the monitored temperature. 
     
     
         21 . The earth-boring drill bit of  claim 16 , further comprising a second cutter element located in a second recess of a bit body, wherein the bit body is configured to rotate in order to expose the second cutter element to the substantially automated heat source. 
     
     
         22 . The earth-boring drill bit of  claim 16 , wherein the first recess is configured to mechanically lock the first cutter element within a portion of the bit body. 
     
     
         23 . The earth-boring drill bit of  claim 22 , wherein the first recess is configured to mechanically lock the first cutter element along an axis tangential to the surface of the bit body. 
     
     
         24 . The earth-boring drill bit of  claim 22 , wherein the first recess is configured to mechanically lock the first cutter element along an axis perpendicular to the surface of the bit body. 
     
     
         25 . The earth-boring drill bit of  claim 17 , wherein a temperature of the attachment material is monitored by the camera.