Patent ID: 8450637

Claim:
A system for depositing hardfacing material on portions of a drill bit comprising: a first robot having a program controllable articulated arm connected to a plasma transfer arc torch secured thereto having a nozzle, the first robot programmed to position the torch over a surface of a portion of the drill bit in a desired plane thereabove prior to application of hardfacing material to a portion of the drill bit and to oscillate the torch relative to the portion of the drill bit; a plasma gas supply to the torch having an electrically controllable flow valve; a shielding gas supply to the torch having an electrically controllable flow valve; a transport gas supply to the torch having an electrically controllable flow valve; a powder dosage system connected to the transport gas supply; a second robot having a program controllable articulated arm, the second robot programmed to position a surface of a cutter in a substantially horizontal plane below the torch prior to the application of hardfacing material to the cutter; a jawed chuck attached to the program controllable articulated arm of the second robot, the jawed chuck securing a rock bit cutter; at least one sensor for determining a location of a surface of the cutter; and a programmable control system electrically connected to the first robot, the second robot, and the at least one sensor.