Superabrasive elements having indicia and related apparatus and methods

摘要

A cutting element for use on a rotary drill bit for forming a borehole in a subterranean formation may comprise a body and laser-generated indicia on at least a portion of the body of the cutting element. The laser-generated indicia may be provided on at least a portion of a substrate of the cutting element and/or at least a portion of a layer of superabrasive material of the cutting element. The laser-generated indicia may be used to indicate a product name of the cutting element, the name of a manufacturer of the cutting element, a preferred alignment for the cutting element relative to a drill bit, or any other useful information. Cutting elements and superabrasive inserts having laser-generated indicia may be employed in rotary drill bits. In addition, laser-generated indicia may be used in a method to distinguish between cutting elements having substantially identical external geometric features.