Patent ID: 8256118
Filing Date: 2012-09-04
Classification: B21D,B23P,F01D,F04D,F05D,Y02T,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of manufacturing a metal leading edge for mounting on a fan blade body component having a leading portion with a predetermined size and shape, the method comprising: machining an elongated metal part having a front edge extending lengthwise of the part and a rear edge extending lengthwise of the part, including the step of cutting a cavity inward from the rear edge toward the front edge to provide the part with opposed inner side surfaces diverging rearwardly; placing the part on a shaping mandrel having a leading portion with the predetermined size and shape of the leading portion of the fan blade body component, with the leading portion of the mandrel received within the cavity; and shaping the part on the mandrel by deflecting the opposed inner side surfaces toward each other to constrict the cavity into the configuration of the leading portion of the mandrel.