Turbine component fixture for manufacture or repair

1 . A process for manufacturing or repairing a turbine component, wherein the component has an internal cavity open to the outside comprising:

inserting into the internal cavity a part of a fixture, with the part secured to an internal surface of the internal cavity of the component to hold the turbine component; and

carrying out the manufacturing or repair process on an exterior surface of the turbine component.

2 . Process of claim 1 wherein the turbine component is a turbine airfoil.

3 . Process of claim 2 wherein the part has a shape that corresponds to the internal surface of the turbine airfoil internal cavity.

4 . Process of claim 3 wherein the manufacturing or repair process carried out on the airfoil is selected from the group consisting of machining, blending, gritting, surface finishing, welding, drilling, cutting, coating and inspecting.

5 . Process of claim 4 wherein the fixture further includes a locking mechanism which locks the component onto the fixture.

6 . Process of claim 4 wherein the manufacturing or repair process is carried out with an automated equipment utilizing preset process parameters based on a preprogrammed design and specification of the component.

7 . Process of claim 6 wherein the manufacturing or repair process is a repair process.

8 . A turbine component holder for securing a component during a manufacturing or repair process wherein the component has an internal cavity open to the outside comprising:

a fixture having a part which is secured to the internal surface of the internal cavity of the component.

9 . Holder of claim 8 wherein the part has a shape that corresponds to an internal surface of the internal cavity.

10 . Holder of claim 9 wherein the fixture further includes a locking mechanism which locks the component onto the fixture.

11 . Holder of claim 9 wherein the part has a shape which corresponds to the internal surface of an airfoil.