Patent ID: 6887529

Claim:
A method for applying a thermal spray coating to a flowpath part of a gas turbine engine, the method comprised of the steps of: providing a flowpath part of a gas turbine engine having a flowpath face, at least one side edge, and at least one rear edge; inserting the flowpath part into a holding apparatus, the holding apparatus comprising a turntable having at least one mounting block mounted thereon, the at least one mounting block including at least one side plate for adjustably holding the flowpath part in a desired orientation, the at least one mounting block further including tightening means for adjusting the position of the at least one side plate; placing a backing in substantial contact with the rear edge of the flowpath part, the backing further in contact with the mounting block; operating the tightening means to compress the backing to seal the backing to the rear edge of the flowpath part while leaving the at least one side edge exposed; and applying an initial base coating to the at least one side edge by thermal spraying.