Introduction to PDC

Fixed Cutter Bit Nomenclature

CONFIDENTIAL: For Internal Use Only.

May not be disclosed, used or reproduced without written permission from Smith International, Inc.
 Objectives

suffixes
convention
Understand GeoDiamond’s naming

• Meaning of prefixes, model numbers and

CONFIDENTIAL: For Internal Use Only.

May not be disclosed, used or reproduced without written permission from Smith International, Inc.
PDC Nomenclature

May not be disclosed, used or reproduced without written permission from Smith International, Inc.
CONFIDENTIAL: For Internal Use Only.
PREFIX+XXXX+SUFFIXES
PDC bits: Quad-D bits:

Prefix + XXXX + Suffixes Prefix + XXXX + Suffixes

Blade Count, Cutter Size Pilot Blade Count, Reamer Blade Count, Cutter Size

e.g.: M1009PX e.g.: QDS6309PX

Matrix, 10 blades, 9mm cutters Steel, 6 blades (pilot), 3 blades (reamer), 9mm cutters
PDC Nomenclature

May not be disclosed, used or reproduced without written permission from Smith International, Inc.
CONFIDENTIAL: For Internal Use Only.
Example: MA916VPX

M: Matrix, A: ARCS Blade Count / Cutter Size VPX (Lo-vibe ,

Extra Gage Protection)
916: 9 blades, 16mm cutters
(previously MA62)
PDC Nomenclature (old prefixes)
i IDEAS® Certified Design

May not be disclosed, used or reproduced without written permission from Smith International, Inc.
CONFIDENTIAL: For Internal Use Only.
SHO Staged Hole Opener
QD QUAD-D Dual Diameter
G Reamers with API connections (box down, pin up)
R Reamers with IF connections (<6 5/8") (pin down, box up)
S Steel Body
K Kinetic Impregnated Bit
D Diamond Bit
HOX Heavy Oil series**
Prefix

M Matrix Body
S Steel Body
A ARCS & ARCS ADVANCED
C Carbonate
D Directional
L LIVE
PR Pilot reamer
S SHARC™
T Turbine
V VertiDrill
Going ER Engineering Research
ST Side Track
C/S

009-922 Cutting structure descriptor

L Limited Torque
Going F Back-Up face cutters
Face

K Impregnated Cutter Backing

V Lo~Vibe
H Higher number of nozzles than standard
N Lower number of nozzles than standard
Hydraulics

Y 30 series nozzles
W 40 series nozzles
Q Fixed ports
A Active gage (on other than RS bits)
Going G Passive gauge (RS only)
E Extended gauge pad length
S Short gauge pad length
T Turbine sleeve
Gauge

B Back reaming cutters

X TSP Gauge
PX DEI on gauge
PXX Full diamond turbo sleeve
C Non API Standard
CXN

I IF connection
PDC Nomenclature (new) SHO Staged Hole Opener
QD QUAD-D Dual Diameter
G Reamers with API connections (box down, pin up)

May not be disclosed, used or reproduced without written permission from Smith International, Inc.
CONFIDENTIAL: For Internal Use Only.
R Reamers with IF connections (<6 5/8") (pin down, box up)
S Steel Body
K Kinetic Impregnated Bit
H Kinetic Hybrid Bit
D Diamond Bit
HOX Heavy Oil series**
Prefix

M Matrix Body
S Steel Body
A ARCS & ARCS ADVANCED
C Carbonate
D Directional
L LIVE
PR Pilot reamer
S SHARC™
T Turbine
V VertiDrill
ST Side Track

i IDEAS® Certified Design

C/S

009-922 Cutting structure descriptor

L Limited Torque
M Replacable Lo Vibes
Face

V Lo~Vibe
Z TSP on leading edge (Kinetic)
K Impregnated Cutter Backing
H Higher number of nozzles than standard
N Lower number of nozzles than standard
Hydraulics

Y 30 series nozzles
W 40 series nozzles
U 50 series nozzles
Q Fixed ports
R Restrictor Plate in the pin
A Active gage
E Extended gauge pad length
S Short gauge pad length
T Turbine sleeve
Gauge

D Dog Sleeve
B Back reaming cutters
PX TSP on gauge
PXX Full diamond turbo sleeve
C Non API Standard
CXN

I IF connection
New Kinetic™ Nomenclature

8-1/2 K503BP ER20707
Bit ER Number
Bit Nomenclature
Bit Size (in inches)
May not be disclosed, used or reproduced without written permission from Smith International, Inc.
CONFIDENTIAL: For Internal Use Only.
NOMENCLATURE PREFIX
K Kinetic Impreg Bit
KT Kinetic Impreg bit w/ TSP's
KST Kinetic Side Track bit

BLADE COUNT/DENSITY
K 503 BPX 1--2 Very heavy
3--4 Heavy Set
Suffix (options 5--6 Medium Set
and/or features) 7--8 Light
Third digit based on Profile 9 Very Light
Second digit based on Product
Line iteration
PROFILE
First digit based on Blade count 3 Round
Density 5 Medium Parabolic
7 Long Parabolic
Prefix (bit type)
 nomenclature suffixes.
Nomenclature Suffixes

The following list describes the current

CONFIDENTIAL: For Internal Use Only.

May not be disclosed, used or reproduced without written permission from Smith International, Inc.
L Feature
 Limited Torque (PDC bits)

May not be disclosed, used or reproduced without written permission from Smith International, Inc.
CONFIDENTIAL: For Internal Use Only.
Blade tops are raised in such a way that the
maximum depth of cut is limited by the
engagement of the blade tops into the
formation. Consequently, this limits the
torque that the bit can produce. This feature
is very useful for directional applications
which utilize a steerable motor assembly.
 M Feature

etc.)
 Replaceable Lo-Vibes (PDC bits)

when needed (wear, breakage,

Lo-Vibe inserts can be replaced

CONFIDENTIAL: For Internal Use Only.

May not be disclosed, used or reproduced without written permission from Smith International, Inc.
V Feature
 Lo-Vibe (PDC bits)

May not be disclosed, used or reproduced without written permission from Smith International, Inc.
CONFIDENTIAL: For Internal Use Only.
The GeoDiamond Lo-Vibe
feature has been designed to
improve bit stability and
extend bit life. Bit whirl and
extensive cutter wear are
reduced while under
excessive loads.
 Z Feature
 TSP’s on Leading Edge of Blade (Impreg bits)

CONFIDENTIAL: For Internal Use Only.

May not be disclosed, used or reproduced without written permission from Smith International, Inc.
K Feature
 Impregnated cutter backing (PDC bits)

May not be disclosed, used or reproduced without written permission from Smith International, Inc.
CONFIDENTIAL: For Internal Use Only.
The K feature is designed to provide
extra durability to the cutting
structure by the use of impregnated
diamond elements located on the
matrix blade, behind the PDC cutter.
H Feature
 Higher nozzle count than Standard (PDC bits)

May not be disclosed, used or reproduced without written permission from Smith International, Inc.
CONFIDENTIAL: For Internal Use Only.
 Depending on the application,
extra nozzle ports can be added
to a PDC design. This can
improve cleaning in reactive
formations. In the example, a
six bladed bit is designed with
nine nozzles on a design where
six is standard.
N Feature
 Lower nozzle count than Standard (PDC bits)

May not be disclosed, used or reproduced without written permission from Smith International, Inc.
CONFIDENTIAL: For Internal Use Only.
 Depending on the application,
a lower nozzle count than
standard can be used for a PDC
design. In the example, a six
bladed bit that has six nozzles
in its standard configuration,
has been designed with three.
Y Feature
 Series 30 nozzles (PDC bits)

May not be disclosed, used or reproduced without written permission from Smith International, Inc.
CONFIDENTIAL: For Internal Use Only.
 Series 30 nozzles are smaller
than the common Series 60
nozzles. This enables them to
be positioned in spaces too
small for series 60 nozzles,
allowing the bit designer
greater flexibility in terms of
nozzle count and placement for
some designs.
W Feature
 Series 40 nozzles (PDC bits)

May not be disclosed, used or reproduced without written permission from Smith International, Inc.
CONFIDENTIAL: For Internal Use Only.
 Maintain about the same
overall dimensions as N30.
N40  Increase thread size for
Ø 0.618” x L 0.800”
Pitch: 0.08333”/rev
Tube: Ø 0.510” x L 0.175”
wear/erosion resistance.
Lobe Bottom R: 0.030”
 Reduce pop-up force when
tightening the nozzle.

N30
Ø 0.565” x L 0.620”
Pitch: 0.03125”/rev
Tube: Ø 0.520” x L 0.14”
Lobe Bottom R: 0.060”
U Feature
 Series 50 nozzles (PDC bits)

May not be disclosed, used or reproduced without written permission from Smith International, Inc.
CONFIDENTIAL: For Internal Use Only.
• Up to 14/32” Jet Size
• Provides More Room for Blades compared to 60’s
• Reduced Cracking

N40 N50 N60

Orifice Size 7/32 ~ 13/32 7/32 ~ 16/32 7/32 ~ 22/32

Body Size .62 x 0.80 .75 x 1.00 .95 x 1.00

Q Feature

May not be disclosed, used or reproduced without written permission from Smith International, Inc.
CONFIDENTIAL: For Internal Use Only.
 Contains Fixed Ports (PDC bits)

Fixed ports are used to

optimize hydraulics when
conventional nozzles
would compromise the bit
design.
Nozzle/Port Availability

May not be disclosed, used or reproduced without written permission from Smith International, Inc.
CONFIDENTIAL: For Internal Use Only.
Ports Ports
N30 N40 N50 N60 Vortexx
(Steel) (Matrix)

7/32   W U X      
8/32 Y W U X   Q Q
9/32 Y W U X   Q Q
10/32 Y W U X X Q Q
11/32 Y W U X X Q Q
12/32 Y W U X X Q Q
13/32 Y W U X X   Q
14/32     U X X   Q
15/32     U X X   Q
16/32     U X X   Q
17/32       X     Q
18/32       X     Q
19/32       X      
20/32       X      
21/32       X      
22/32       X      
 R Feature

Motor/Turbine
 Restrictor Nozzle

Reduces Pressure Drop across

CONFIDENTIAL: For Internal Use Only.

May not be disclosed, used or reproduced without written permission from Smith International, Inc.
A Feature
 Active Gage (other than RS bits)

May not be disclosed, used or reproduced without written permission from Smith International, Inc.
CONFIDENTIAL: For Internal Use Only.
 Active gage elements consist
of PDC cutters on the gage pad
that allow for aggressive side-
cutting action which can be
useful for certain applications.
This feature is standard for RS
bits, but can be added to other
designs if required.
E Feature
 Extended Gage Length (common to all bit types)

May not be disclosed, used or reproduced without written permission from Smith International, Inc.
CONFIDENTIAL: For Internal Use Only.
Extended gage length is for
enhanced bit stability
without compromising
directional behavior.
S Feature
 Short Gage Length (common to all bit types)

May not be disclosed, used or reproduced without written permission from Smith International, Inc.
CONFIDENTIAL: For Internal Use Only.
Short gage length is used
for improved steerability
in directional and
horizontal applications.
T Feature
 Turbine Sleeve (common to all bit types)

May not be disclosed, used or reproduced without written permission from Smith International, Inc.
CONFIDENTIAL: For Internal Use Only.
This feature is designed to
reduce vibration with turbine
applications where on-bottom
speeds can be in excess of 900
RPM. The flexibility of this sleeve
design allows varying lengths to
be designed and manufactured
for any application.
B Feature
 PDC Backreaming (common to all bit types)

May not be disclosed, used or reproduced without written permission from Smith International, Inc.
CONFIDENTIAL: For Internal Use Only.
PDC cutters are
strategically placed on the
upside of each blade. This
allows long sections to be
sufficiently backreamed to
condition the hole while
minimizing the risk of gage
pad wear.
PX Feature
 Diamond Enhanced Inserts (DEI) on gage (Common

May not be disclosed, used or reproduced without written permission from Smith International, Inc.
CONFIDENTIAL: For Internal Use Only.
to all types)
 Matrix Body Bits  Steel Body Bits

TSPs on Gage TSPs placed in a milled

tub containing hard-facing
PXX Feature

May not be disclosed, used or reproduced without written permission from Smith International, Inc.
CONFIDENTIAL: For Internal Use Only.
 Full diamond turbine sleeve (common to all bit types)

Standard gage protection for a

turbine sleeve consists of
diamond enhanced and tungsten
carbide inserts. However, in
extremely abrasive applications,
full diamond enhanced gage
protection is available.
C Feature
 Non API Standard Connection (Common to all bit types)

May not be disclosed, used or reproduced without written permission from Smith International, Inc.
CONFIDENTIAL: For Internal Use Only.
GeoDiamond’s box connection
has been developed in parallel
with the turbine sleeve to allow
optimum make-up length for
specific applications. This
feature won the 1995
Meritorious Engineering Award.
 I Feature

IF connection.
 IF Connection (Common to all bit types)

Identifies when the bit has an

CONFIDENTIAL: For Internal Use Only.

May not be disclosed, used or reproduced without written permission from Smith International, Inc.