Unless otherwise specified, this is the standard waterway configuration used on all mineral exploration of surface-set core bits manufactured by Dimatec. This design uses canal type waterways that are approximately 0.12 inch (3 mm) wide. These waterway canals pass the circulating fluid from inside diameter of the bit crown, across the face and eject the fluid and cuttings at the outside diameter of the bit crown.

The Style ‘W’ waterway configuration is available for all sizes of surface-set diamond core bits produced by Dimatec.

The Dimatec code for this waterway configuration style is ‘W’. (Example: A Dimatec core bit with the descriptor ‘6W’ in its designation would indicate that the bit is supplied with 6 internal discharge canal type waterways).

Other customer specified waterway canal widths are available on request. In addition to the rectangular shaped waterway canals shown above, thick-kerf, large diameter surface-set diamond core bits are often supplied with either trapezoidal or spiral shaped waterway canals to aid in the ejection of cuttings from the bit face. They also commonly include the use of junk slots in their waterway configurations.

This waterway configuration is recommended for use when drilling in relatively soft, unconsolidated formations and/or when using triple-tube wireline core barrel systems. Unlike core bits that are manufactured with conventional canal type waterways that eject the circulating fluid through ports on the inside diameter of the bit crown, the Face-Discharge (Style ‘FD’) configuration ejects the fluid through ports moulded into the face of the bit. The re-direction of the circulating fluid results in minimum core wash and reduces the potential for subsequent core erosion.

Each waterway element typically has a canal width and flushing port diameter of 0.25 inch (6.3 mm).

The Style ‘FD’ waterway configuration is available on all wireline core bits as well as on core bits with kerf widths greater than 0.39 inch (10 mm) that are used with conventional (non-wireline) core barrel systems.

The Dimatec code for this waterway configuration style is ‘FD’. (Example: A Dimatec core bit with the descriptor ‘6FD’ in its designation would indicate that the bit is supplied with 6 face-discharge type waterways).