Patent ID: 9126278
Filing Date: 2015-09-08
Classification: B23H

Abstract:
1. A system for forming a plurality of cooling passages in a component for use in a turbine engine comprising: an electrode holder; a plurality of electrodes extending from and structurally supported by the electrode holder; and a template having a first surface defining an electrode entry surface, a second surface opposed from the first surface and defining a component mating surface, and a plurality of electrode passages pre-formed in the template and extending from the first surface to the second surface, the second surface of the template having a shape that corresponds to an outer surface of the component such that the template is capable of being snugly positioned against the outer surface of the component, wherein the template includes corresponding electrode passages for each of the cooling passages to be formed in the entire surface of the component; wherein, during an electro-discharge machining operation, the electrodes are simultaneously inserted through the pre-formed electrode passages in the template and into the component while supplying an electric current to the electrodes to remove material from the component so as to form the cooling passages therein.