Additively Manufactured Tooling for Coating Components Using Electrically Driven Aqueous Processes

1 . A method for securing a component for a treatment process, the method comprising:

obtaining a tool for retaining the component during the treatment process, the tool including a cantilevered plate;

associating the tool with a support bar; and

securing the component to the tool such that the cantilevered plate is in contact with the component.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the tool includes a bracket and an adapter connectable by a shaft.

3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein:

the cantilevered plate extends from a rear surface of the adapter; and

the shaft and the adapter are additively manufactured to be of a unitary construction.

4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the bracket includes a socket with a channel.

5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the socket is accessible through an opening in the support bar.

6 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the channel includes an asymmetric shape and is configured to receive the shaft only in one orientation.

7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising obtaining a cover configured to slide over the tool.

8 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising rotating a rotatable member to cause the cantilevered plate to contact the component.

9 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising lowering the support bar and the component secured to the tool in an aqueous solution to coat the component using an electrically driven aqueous process.

10 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising associating a second tool with the support bar; and wherein the tool and the second tool extend from the support bar at the same angle.

11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the tool includes an adapter configured to retain a dovetail of a blade of a gas turbine.

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the adapter includes two opposing cylindrical rods, each opposing cylindrical rod configured to interface with the dovetail.

13 . A tool for securing a component for a treatment process, the tool comprising:

a bracket comprising a socket with a channel;

an adapter comprising a body that includes a cantilevered plate, the adapter configured to receive the component for the treatment process; and

a shaft configured to be received within the channel for coupling the adapter to the bracket.

14 . The tool of claim 13 , wherein the adapter includes a bolt that passes through the body and is coupled to the cantilevered plate.

15 . The tool of claim 13 , wherein:

the channel includes an asymmetrical shape; and

the shaft has a shape that corresponds to the asymmetrical shape of the channel.

16 . The tool of claim 13 , wherein:

the treatment process is an electrically driven aqueous process;

the bracket is coupled to a support bar; and

the adapter is manufactured using an additive process such that the body and the cantilevered plate are of an integral construction.

17 . The tool of claim 13 , further comprising a polymer cover configured to slide over the adapter.

18 . A method for coating an aerospace component using an electrically driven aqueous process, the method comprising:

obtaining an additively manufactured tool for retaining the aerospace component during the electrically driven aqueous process, the tool including:

an adapter with a cantilevered plate,

a bracket with a socket having a channel, and

a shaft coupled to the adapter and receivable within the socket to couple the adapter to the bracket;

securing the aerospace component to the adapter such that the cantilevered plate is in contact with the aerospace component;

coupling the adapter to the bracket via the shaft; and

associating the bracket with a cathode bar.

19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the aerospace component includes a dovetail, the dovetail including a terminal wall, and wherein the cantilevered plate contacts the terminal wall of the dovetail of the aerospace component.

20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the adapter includes two opposing cylindrical bars configured to engage the dovetail during the electrically driven aqueous process.