Methods, systems, and apparatus for processing drill tools

An exemplary method for optimizing drilling performance of a rotary drill tool is disclosed. According to the method, a rotary drill tool may be secured to an orienting member and a cutting element rotational axis of the rotary drill tool may be identified. Radial locations of a plurality of surface regions of the rotary drill tool may be measured relative to the cutting element rotational axis. At least one selected surface region from the plurality of measured surface regions may be modified such that the at least one selected surface region is located at a selected radial distance relative to the cutting element rotational axis. An exemplary method for grinding a down-hole drill tool is also disclosed. According to the method, a down-hole drill tool may be secured to a holding member in a substantially vertical orientation and portions of the down-hole drill tool may be ground using a grinding wheel.

BACKGROUND

Rotary tools employing wear-resistant cutters are conventionally utilized in a variety of drilling, cutting, and machining operations. For example, superabrasive and/or superhard materials, such as polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) or ceramics (e.g., cubic boron nitride, silicon carbide, and the like), are often used in drilling tools, machining equipment, and in other mechanical systems. Cutting elements are often employed on earth boring rotary drill bits, such as roller cone drill bits and fixed-cutter drill bits used for drilling subterranean formations. A rotary drill bit may include one or more cutting elements affixed to a bit body of the rotary drill bit.

Conventional earth boring drill bits may include a bit body formed from steel or a hard matrix material, such as tungsten carbide. Cutting elements are typically positioned along leading edges or surfaces of the bit body so that the cutting elements engage and drill earth formations as the bit body is rotated in its intended direction of use. The cutting elements may be positioned and secured in recesses formed in an exterior of the bit body. Depending on the bit body design, cutting elements may either be positioned in a mold prior to formation of the bit body or secured to the bit body following fabrication.

A steel bit body is often machined from round steel stock to a desired shape. Various surface features, such as blades and/or junk slots, and internal features, such as fluid passages for delivery of drilling fluid, may be machined into the bit body using a machine tool. An end of the bit body may then be welded and/or otherwise secured to a shank, such as a threaded steel shank. During use in drilling operations, the shank may secure the drill bit to a corresponding connection point, such as a threaded connection on a drill string.

A bit body formed from a hard matrix material is generally formed by packing a graphite mold with tungsten carbide powder, and subsequently infiltrating the powder with a molten copper alloy binder, such as brass. A drill bit “blank” comprising steel or other suitable material may be positioned in the mold so that the blank becomes securely fixed to the matrix upon cooling. The blank may be generally cylindrical or may include various surface features, such as blades and/or junk slots. A mandrel may also be positioned in the mold and subsequently removed after molding and furnacing, leaving behind fluid passages in the drill bit for conveyance of drilling fluid to the cutting surfaces. After the bit body has been molded, the end of the steel blank may be secured to a threaded shank.

During production of drill bits, numerous factors may result in imperfections in the external shape of the drill bit leading to inconsistent and/or sub-optimal performance of the drill bit during drilling. In molding processes, even slight changes in processing conditions may result in significant alterations in the shape and performance of the finished product. For example, during molding operations, various conditions, such as humidity, processing temperatures, and/or rates of heating and/or cooling may result in different rates of expansion and/or shrinkage of a molded bit body during processing of the molded part. The compositions of materials used in the molding process may also affect the finished part.

Removal of material during drilling is performed by the cutting elements located radially around the bit body. In conventional drill bits, the cutting elements may be positioned strategically to establish the maximum performance in removing material during downhole drilling. The orientation of the cutting elements may establish a cutting element rotational axis that differs from the bit body rotational axis due to various imperfections in the drill bit, such as manufacturing imperfections as mentioned above. The cutting element rotational axis may be determined by the final placement of the cutting elements relative to one another, their placement on the bit body, and locations of surfaces regions of the cutting elements relative to one another and the bit body.

Additionally, during drilling operations, the bit body and cutting elements may be exposed to significant abrasive and erosive forces, causing changes in the exterior shape of the drill bit. As the drill bit experiences wear, the performance of the drill bit tends to decrease. Cutting elements on the drill bits are typically subjected to the greatest amount of wear during drilling. Accordingly, the cutting elements may need to be replaced long before the bit body. Conventionally, worn cutting elements are removed from the bit body and replaced by new cutting elements, which are secured to the old bit body.

Subsequently, the new cutting elements may be machined so that they extend to a desired distance relative to the bit body. For example, cutting elements protruding radially outward from the bit body may be ground using a grinding machine so that the drill bit is sized to fit within a borehole having a certain diameter. A grinding machine conventionally used for grinding cutting elements mounted on a drill bit requires the drill bit to be manually loaded in the grinding machine so that the drill bit extends in a substantially horizontal direction. A grinding wheel that is rotated about a generally horizontal axis is then used to grind the cutting elements to specified depths to ultimately achieve the desired diameter of the outer bit cutting elements relative to the bit body.

Following manufacturing of new drill bits or machining of used drill bits, conventional measurement tools may be used to determine whether certain characteristics of the drill bits are within specified tolerances. However, such measurement tools are often incapable of determining various characteristics affecting the performance of the drill bits during operation. For example, gauge rings are conventionally utilized to determine whether the outer diameter of a drill bit lies within a specified range, ensuring that the drill bit is sized to fit within a borehole having a specified diameter. While the gauge rings can determine the general diameter of the drill bit, they typically cannot be used to accurately determine a rotational axis of the drill bit body or the rotational axis of the cutting elements.

A drill bit having an outer diameter that is not centered about the cutting element rotational axis or the bit body rotational axis may perform in an inconsistent or undesirable manner during drilling. Drill bits not operating around the cutting element rotational axis will seek and track the cutting element rotational axis regardless of the bit body rotational axis. For example, if a drill bit is not sufficiently centered about the cutting element rotational axis, there may be significant skipping or rifling of the drill bit in the borehole as the drill bit seeks the cutting element rotational axis. Even small differences in the shape or alignment of a drill bit may significantly affect the performance of the bit. Sub-optimal performance of drill tools, such as drill bits, may cause decreased performance efficiency during drilling operations, premature damage to bit bodies and cutting elements, and lost costs and labor productivity due to unnecessary repairs and part changes.

SUMMARY

According to various embodiments, tool processing systems, methods, and apparatus may facilitate determination of rotational axes of rotary drill tools and may enable rotary drill tools to be modified so that outer portions of the rotary drill tools are substantially centered about the rotational axes and/or so that the rotary drill tools exhibit specified amounts of eccentricity relative to the rotational axes. Tool processing systems, methods, and apparatus may log and store information related to various characteristics of rotary drill tools. Such stored information may be utilized in calculations for determining rotational axes of various rotary drill tools. Such stored information may also be utilized to determine efficiency and/or performance of various types of grinding wheels, particularly with respect to various types and styles of rotary drill tools.

In various embodiments, such stored information may also be used to provide quality assurance reports concerning dimensions and accuracy of various characteristics of rotary drill tools following manufacturing and/or grinding processes. Additionally, such stored of information may allow down-hole cutting performance of rotary drill tools to be correlated to various dimensions of the rotary drill tools. In some examples, cutting performance of rotary drill tools may be correlated to the accuracy of the tool diameters and/or centricity of the tools about their rotational axes. Such correlations may be determined, for example, by measuring and storing dimensions of rotary drill tools and determining the subsequent performance of the tools.

According to at least one embodiment, a method for optimizing drilling performance of a rotary drill tool may comprise securing a rotary drill tool to an orienting member and identifying a cutting element rotational axis of the rotary drill tool. The method may also comprise measuring radial locations of a plurality of surface regions of the rotary drill tool relative to the cutting element rotational axis. The method may additionally comprise modifying at least one selected surface region from the plurality of measured surface regions such that the at least one selected surface region is located at a selected radial distance relative to the cutting element rotational axis.

According to various embodiments, a method for optimizing drilling performance of a rotary drill tool may comprise securing a rotary drill tool to an orienting member, identifying a cutting element rotational axis of the rotary drill tool, and measuring radial locations of a plurality of surface regions of the rotary drill tool relative to the cutting element rotational axis. The method may additionally comprise measuring one or more performance characteristics of the rotary drill tool and correlating the radial locations of the plurality of surface regions to the performance characteristics of the rotary drill tool.

According to some embodiments, a method for grinding a down-hole drill tool may comprise securing a down-hole drill tool to a holding member in a substantially vertical orientation and grinding portions of the down-hole drill tool using a grinding wheel.

According to at least one embodiment, a method for optimizing grinding machine performance may comprise securing a rotary drill tool to an orienting member, identifying a cutting element rotational axis of the rotary drill tool, and measuring radial locations of a plurality of surface regions of the rotary drill tool relative to the cutting element rotational axis. The method may further comprise grinding at least one selected surface region from the plurality of measured surface regions using a grinding wheel and measuring one or more performance characteristics of the grinding wheel.

According to various embodiments, a method for optimizing drilling performance of a rotary drill tool may comprise securing a rotary drill tool to an orienting member and identifying a rotational axis of the rotary drill tool. The rotational axis may comprise at least one of a cutting element rotational axis and a bit body rotational axis. The method may additionally comprise measuring radial locations of a plurality of surface regions of the rotary drill tool relative to the rotational axis and modifying at least one selected surface region from the plurality of measured surface regions such that the at least one selected surface region is located at a selected radial distance relative to the rotational axis.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

As used herein, the terms “superabrasive” and “superhard” refer to materials exhibiting a hardness exceeding a hardness of tungsten carbide. For example, a superabrasive article may represent an article of manufacture, at least a portion of which may exhibit a hardness exceeding the hardness of tungsten carbide. As used herein, the term “cutting” refers broadly to machining processes, drilling processes, boring processes, and/or any other material removal process utilizing a drill tool.

FIG. 1is cross-sectional side view of a drill bit10according to at least one embodiment. Drill bit10may represent any type or form of rotary drilling tool, including, for example, a rotary drill bit. In at least one embodiment, drill bit10may comprise an earth-boring tool configured to drill boreholes in subterranean formations for extraction of petroleum, natural gas, and/or other subterranean materials. Drill bit10may comprise a bit body12formed of any suitable hard material, such as, for example, steel and/or a matrix material.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, drill bit10may also comprise a shank16, which is coupled to or formed integrally with bit body12. For example, shank16may be readily coupled with and/or welded to bit body12. Shank16may be configured to be coupled with a connection portion of a drill string. For example, shank16may comprise a threaded exterior configured to be threadedly coupled to a corresponding threaded portion of the drill string. Drill bit10may also comprise a shoulder17configured to stably mount and orient drill bit10on a corresponding drill string.

Drill bit10may also comprise one or more cutting elements14mounted to exterior portions of bit body12. For example, cutting elements14may be mounted on leading faces of bit body12, such as radially outward and/or axially forward portions of bit body12, as shown inFIG. 1. Cutting elements14may be formed of any suitable material, including, for example, PCD, ceramic, and/or other hard or superhard materials. In at least one example, cutting elements14may comprise PCD compacts, each comprising a polycrystalline diamond layer bonded to a tungsten carbide substrate. Cutting elements14may be secured to bit body12using any suitable attachment means, including, without limitation, brazing, welding, and/or interference fitting. In some examples, cutting elements14may be secured within recesses defined in exterior portions of bit body12.

Drill bit10may also include any other suitable internal and/or external features, without limitation. In some embodiments, drill bit10may include internal passageways for communicating drilling fluid to cutting elements14during drilling. In additional embodiments, drill bit10may include junk slots, blades, and/or other topographical features defined in exterior portions of drill bit10. For example, bit body12may comprise bit blades extending radially outward from a central portion of bit body12. Cutting elements14may be attached to the bit blades. Junk slots for communicating debris away from cutting faces of drill bit10may be defined between adjacent blades. In some examples, drilling fluid may carry cutting debris away from cutting surfaces and leading face portions of drill bit12via such junk slots.

According to various embodiments, drill bit10may have a bit body rotational axis18and a perceptual centerline20. The bit body rotational axis18may represent a generally longitudinal axis about which drill bit10is rotated by a drill string that drill bit10is coupled to. Perceptual centerline20, on the other hand, may represent a perceived central centerline or axis extending longitudinally through drill bit10. In some examples, certain portions of drill bit10may be substantially centered about perceptual centerline20rather than bit body rotational axis18.

Additionally cutting elements14may form a cutting element rotational axis19based upon the orientation of cutting elements14and positioning of cutting elements14in bit body12. The cutting element rotational axis19may be considered the true cutting centerline or axis of drill bit10. Cutting element rotational axis19may not necessarily be congruent to bit body rotational axis18, as illustrated inFIG. 2.

According to various embodiments, optimum results of manufacturing and drilling performance may be achieved when cutting element rotational axis19and bit body rotational axis18are substantially congruent. In at least one embodiment, the most important axis for achieving optimal drilling performance may be the cutting element rotational axis19, as that is the axis that may be sought by drill bit10during downhole drilling operations. As discussed below in relation toFIGS. 2 and 3, cutting element rotational axis19and bit body rotational axis18may be substantially congruent or have substantially the same rotational center, and accordingly,FIGS. 2 and 3illustrate a single line (rotational axis18/19) representing both bit body rotational axis18and cutting element rotational axis19.

Drill bit10may be designed so that bit body rotational axis18, cutting element rotational axis19, and/or perceptual centerline20are substantially congruent. In some embodiments, drill bit10may optionally be designed so that bit body rotational axis18and/or cutting element rotational axis19are offset from perceptual centerline20by a known amount, providing drill bit10with a suitable degree of eccentricity during certain drilling operations. When bit body rotational axis18, cutting element rotational axis19, and/or perceptual centerline20are offset from one another by an undesirable amount, drill bit10may operate at a sub-optimal or inconsistent performance level.

Bit body rotational axis18, cutting element rotational axis19, and/or perceptual centerline20may differ from one another due to a variety of factors. Various manufacturing conditions may cause differences between bit body rotational axis18, cutting element rotational axis19, and/or perceptual centerline20. For example, during molding operations, various conditions, such as humidity, compositions of materials, processing temperatures, and/or rates of heating and/or cooling may result in different rates of expansion and/or shrinkage of a molded bit body. Additionally, bit body rotational axis18, cutting element rotational axis19, and/or perceptual centerline20may grow further apart as drill bit10undergoes wear during drilling operations and subsequent maintenance and repair of drill bit10.

FIG. 2is a cross-sectional side view of rotary drill bit10mounted on an orienting member23andFIG. 3is a cross-sectional top view of rotary drill10bit and a scanner28according to various embodiments. As illustrated in this figure, cutting element rotational axis19and bit body rotational axis18may be substantially congruent. Accordingly,FIGS. 2 and 3illustrate a single line, referred to hereinafter as rotational axis18/19, representing both bit body rotational axis18and cutting element rotational axis19. Orienting member23may comprise any suitable part, such as a collet, configured to hold and/or orient drill bit10. Orienting member23may be configured to orient drill bit10in a specified orientation so that rotational axis18/19may be determined. Orienting member23may have a known orienting or rotational axis such that when the drill bit10is mounted on orienting member23, rotational axis18/19of drill bit10is substantially congruent to the orienting or rotational axis of orienting member23. Accordingly, rotational axis18/19, as illustrated inFIG. 2, may also represent an orienting or rotational axis of orienting member23.

FIGS. 2 and 3illustrate two orientations, first orientation24A and second orientation24B, of drill bit10mounted to orienting member23. In some examples, as shown inFIG. 2, drill bit10may be mounted on orienting member23in a substantially vertical orientation. According to at least one example, drill bit10may be positioned in a specific orientation with respect to orienting member23. Additionally, drill bit10may have multiple orientations with respect to a measuring device, such as scanner28, at different radial positions with respect to rotational axis18/19.

For example, scanner28may be located at a specific radial distance and/or location relative to rotational axis18/19. Orienting member23may comprise a rotational member having a rotational axis substantially congruent with rotational axis18/19of drill bit10. When orienting member23is positioned in a first radial position respective to rotational axis18/19, drill bit10may be positioned in a first orientation24A and perceptual centerline20may be positioned in a first orientation21A with respect to scanner28. Scanner28may measure one or more surface locations on drill bit10, such as first radial location26A, when drill bit10is positioned in first orientation24A.

Orienting member23may then be rotated to a second radial position respective to rotational axis18/19. At the second radial position, drill bit10may be positioned in a second orientation24B and perceptual centerline20may be positioned in a second orientation21B with respect to scanner28. Scanner28may measure one or more surface locations on drill bit10, such as second radial location26B, when drill bit10is positioned in second orientation24B. Orienting member23may also be rotated to additional radial positions respective to rotational axis18/19and scanner28may measure additional surface locations on drill bit10.

The measurements obtained at various radial locations on drill bit10relative to rotational axis18/19may be used to determine regions on drill bit10that may be modified in order to substantially center exterior portions of drill bit10around rotational axis18/19, thereby improving the concentricity of at least a portion of drill bit10with respect to rotational axis18/19. Alternatively, the measurements may be used to determine regions on drill bit10that may be modified to provide drill bit10with a desired level of eccentricity relative to rotational axis18/19.

In additional embodiments, scanner28may be configured to move radially around and/or horizontally and/or vertically relative to drill bit10and orienting member23, enabling measurements of exterior portions of drill bit10to be obtained at a plurality of scanner locations relative to drill bit10. In such embodiments, orienting member23may comprise a stationary member having an orienting axis. In at least one example, scanner28may be configured to move around drill bit10in a substantially circular path centered about rotational axis18/19.

FIG. 4is a cut-away perspective view of an exemplary tool processing apparatus30for processing rotary drill tools according to at least one embodiment. As illustrated inFIG. 4, tool processing apparatus30may comprise a housing32, a rotational orientation portion34, a horizontal-vertical orientation portion36, and any other suitable components for processing rotary drill tools, without limitation. According to various embodiments, housing32may substantially surround rotational orientation portion34and horizontal-vertical orientation portion36. Housing32may be opened for loading and unloading rotary drill tools and/or to perform maintenance, repair, and/or adjustments on tool processing apparatus30. During processing of rotary drill tools, housing32may be closed, enabling relatively safe and clean operation of processing apparatus30in a self-contained environment.

Rotational orientation portion34may be configured to hold and/or rotate a drilling tool, such as drill bit10. Horizontal-vertical orientation portion36may be configured to position and move a measuring instrument, such as a scanner, and/or a grinding wheel relative to a drilling tool mounted on rotational orientation portion34.

FIG. 5is a perspective view of a portion of the exemplary tool processing apparatus30illustrated inFIG. 4. As shown inFIG. 5, rotational orientation portion34may comprise a collet37having an orienting recess38configured to hold and secure a rotary drill tool, such as drill bit10. For example, collet37may be configured to securely hold and position a shank portion (e.g., shank16inFIG. 1) of a rotary drill tool.

As additionally shown inFIG. 5, horizontal-vertical orientation portion36may comprise a scanner40, a grinding wheel42, and a motor43. Scanner40may comprise any suitable type of scanning instrument designed to identify and collect concerning various locations on the surface of a rotary drill tool mounted on rotational orientation portion34. For example, scanner40may comprise a 3-dimensional scanner configured to analyze and collect data on the shape of various surface regions of a rotary drill tool. Scanner40may use any suitable measurement means for identifying various locations on a rotary drill tool, including, without limitation, optics, (e.g., laser or light optics), radiation (e.g., x-rays or ambient radiation), ultrasound, radio waves, and/or physical contact (e.g., using a coordinate measuring machine).

Grinding wheel42may comprise any suitable type and configuration of grinding wheel. In at least one embodiment, grinding wheel42may comprise a wheel coated and/or embedded with an abrasive compound, such as, for example, diamond and/or silicon carbide particles embedded in a bonding agent. Grinding wheel42may be used to remove material from exterior regions of a drill tool, such as portions of cutting elements14mounted on an exterior of a drill bit10. In some embodiments, as shown inFIG. 5, grinding wheel42may be positioned in a substantially horizontal orientation such that grinding wheel42is rotational about a substantially vertical axis. Accordingly, when a rotary drill tool is mounted on collet37in a vertical orientation, grinding wheel42may readily remove material from radially outward portions of the rotary drill tool. Motor43may be rotationally coupled to grinding wheel42and may be configured to rotate grinding wheel42.

Tool processing apparatus30may additionally comprise a horizontal track44and a vertical track46, as illustrated inFIG. 5. Horizontal-vertical orientation portion36may move horizontally and/or vertically along horizontal track44and/or vertical track46with respect to a rotary drill tool mounted on tool processing apparatus30. In at least one embodiment, scanner40may be rotated or otherwise configured such that it can scan in vertical, horizontal, and other suitable directions. In such embodiments, scanner40may also be positioned vertically above the rotary drill tool and the scanner may move horizontally above the rotary drill tool to obtain measurements of the top portion of the drill tool.

Tool processing apparatus30may allow determination of a rotational axis of a rotary drill tool and may enable the rotary drill tool to be modified so that outer portions of the rotary drill tool are substantially centered about the rotational axis and/or so that the rotary drill tool exhibits a specified level of eccentricity relative to the rotational axis. Additionally, tool processing apparatus30may log and store information obtained by scanner40. This stored information may be available for calculations used in determining rotational axes of various rotary drill tools. This stored information may also be used to determine efficiency and/or performance of various types of grinding wheels, particularly with respect to various types, styles, and shapes of rotary drill tools.

In various embodiments, stored information obtained by scanner40may be used to provide quality assurance reports concerning dimensions and accuracy of various characteristics of rotary drill tools following manufacturing and/or grinding processes. The stored information may also allow down-hole cutting performance of rotary drill tools to be correlated to various dimensions of the rotary drill tools. For example, the cutting performance of rotary drill tools may be correlated to the accuracy of the tool diameters and/or centricity of the tools about the rotational axis. Such correlations may be determined by, for example, measuring and storing dimensions of the rotary drill tools and determining corresponding performance of the tools.

According to at least one embodiment, a method for optimizing drilling performance of a rotary drill tool (e.g. drill bit10inFIG. 2) may comprise securing a rotary drill tool to an orienting member (e.g., orienting member23inFIG. 2) and identifying a cutting element rotational axis (e.g. cutting element rotational axis19inFIG. 2) of the rotary drill tool. The method may also comprise measuring radial locations of a plurality of surface regions (e.g., first radial location26A and second radial location26B inFIG. 3) of the rotary drill tool relative to the cutting element rotational axis. The method may additionally comprise modifying at least one selected surface region from the plurality of measured surface regions such that the at least one selected surface region is located at a selected radial distance relative to the cutting element rotational axis.

In some embodiments, the orienting member may comprise a rotational member having an orienting rotational axis and the cutting element rotational axis of the rotary drill tool may be substantially congruent with the orienting rotational axis of the rotational member. In additional embodiments, the orienting member may comprise a stationary member having a mounting axis and the cutting element rotational axis of the rotary drill tool may be substantially congruent with the mounting axis of the stationary member.

In at least one embodiment, the selected radial distance of a first selected surface region may be substantially equal to the selected radial distance of a second selected surface region. Additionally, the at least one selected surface region may be located radially outermost relative to the cutting element rotational axis. In some embodiments, measuring the locations of the plurality of surface regions may comprise scanning the surface regions.

In various embodiments, modifying the at least one selected surface region may comprise removing material from the rotary drill tool. Removing the material from the rotary drill tool may comprise grinding at least a portion of the rotary drill tool. In at least one example, the rotary drill tool may comprise a rotary drill bit and the material may be removed from at least one cutting element mounted on the rotary drill bit. The at least one cutting element may comprise polycrystalline diamond.

In at least on embodiment, the method may further comprise identifying two or more surface regions (e.g., first radial location26A and second radial location26B inFIG. 3) from the plurality of measured surface regions, determining a best-fit diameter substantially intersecting the two or more identified surface regions, and determining the concentricity of the best-fit diameter relative to the cutting element rotational axis. Modifying the at least one selected surface region may comprise modifying at least one of the two or more identified surface regions such that a best-fit diameter intersecting the two or more identified surface regions is substantially the same as a target diameter relative to the cutting element rotational axis. The target diameter may be substantially centered about the cutting element rotational axis.

According to at least one embodiment, a method for optimizing drilling performance of a rotary drill tool may comprise securing a rotary drill tool to an orienting member, identifying a cutting element rotational axis of the rotary drill tool, and measuring radial locations of a plurality of surface regions of the rotary drill tool relative to the cutting element rotational axis. The method may further comprise measuring one or more performance characteristics of the rotary drill tool and correlating the radial locations of the plurality of surface regions to the performance characteristics of the rotary drill tool.

The method may also comprise data logging at least one of the radial locations of the plurality of surface regions, the location of the cutting element rotational axis relative to at least one of the plurality of surface regions, the one or more performance characteristics of the rotary drill tool, one or more dimensions of the rotary drill tool, locations of one or more cutting elements on the rotary drill tool, locations of one or more surface features of the rotary drill tool, and one or more diameter measurements of the rotary drill tool. In some examples, correlating the radial locations of the plurality of surface regions to the performance characteristics of the rotary drill tool may comprise determining drill tool performance with respect to at least one of dimensional accuracy of the rotary drill tool relative to a diameter of the rotary drill tool and dimensional accuracy of the rotary drill tool relative to the cutting element rotational axis.

According to some embodiments, a method for grinding a down-hole drill tool may comprise securing a down-hole drill tool to a holding member in a substantially vertical orientation and grinding portions of the down-hole drill tool using a grinding wheel (e.g., grinding wheel42). Grinding portions of the down-hole drill tool may comprise grinding cutting elements mounted on the down-hole drill tool. Grinding portions of the down-hole drill tool may additionally comprise rotating the grinding wheel about a substantially vertical axis.

According to at least one embodiment, a method for optimizing grinding machine performance may comprise securing a rotary drill tool to an orienting member, identifying a cutting element rotational axis of the rotary drill tool, and measuring radial locations of a plurality of surface regions of the rotary drill tool relative to the cutting element rotational axis. The method may further comprise grinding at least one selected surface region from the plurality of measured surface regions using a grinding wheel and measuring one or more performance characteristics of the grinding wheel.

The method may further comprise correlating one or more performance characteristics of the grinding wheel to at least one of the radial locations of the plurality of surface regions, one or more characteristics of the selected surface region, and one or more characteristics of the grinding wheel.

According to various embodiments, a method for optimizing drilling performance of a rotary drill tool may comprise securing a rotary drill tool to an orienting member and identifying a rotational axis of the rotary drill tool. The rotational axis may comprise at least one of a cutting element rotational axis and a bit body rotational axis. The method may additionally comprise measuring radial locations of a plurality of surface regions of the rotary drill tool relative to the rotational axis and modifying at least one selected surface region from the plurality of measured surface regions such that the at least one selected surface region is located at a selected radial distance relative to the rotational axis.

The preceding description has been provided to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize various aspects of the exemplary embodiments described herein. This exemplary description is not intended to be exhaustive or to be limited to any precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the instant disclosure. It is desired that the embodiments described herein be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive and that reference be made to the appended claims and their equivalents for determining the scope of the instant disclosure.