As both the hole diameter and core diameter dimensions that are cut by a core bit must be consistent, the inside and outside gauging sections on all Dimatec impregnated diamond bit crowns are set with cutting media in order to preserve these critical dimensions.

Unless otherwise specified, all impregnated core bits produced by Dimatec have their inside and outside set diameter gauging sections set with a combination of seismic grade tungsten-carbide wear pads and kicker grade natural diamond. Note that due to physical space constraints, the tungsten-carbide wear pads are usually omitted on thin-wall impregnated diamond core bits with kerf widths of 0.30 inch (7.6 mm) or less.

An optional setting arrangement may be specified where the kicker grade natural diamond is replaced with synthetic, rectangular, thermally stable polycrystalline diamond (TSP) elements. Impregnated diamond bits with this type of optional gauge setting are classified as “TSP-SET” in their descriptions. There is no measurable difference in performance between impregnated diamond bits of the same matrix type and waterway configuration that are set with natural kicker grade diamond and those that are set with synthetic TSP elements. The application of “TSP-SET” impregnated diamond bits is usually limited to drilling projects where the use of natural diamonds as gauge setting are viewed as a potential contaminant. As an example, “TSP-SET” impregnated diamond bits are commonly used in the investigation of diamond bearing Kimberlite formations.

Synthetic TSP gauge setting is standard on all HR-Series bits.