Patent ID: 8695216

Claim:
A method for machining a turbine rotor assembly with a machine tool, wherein the turbine rotor assembly includes a plurality of turbine stages, wherein each turbine stage is defined by a turbine wheel and a plurality of turbine blades extending from the turbine wheel, wherein each turbine blade is coupled to a respective turbine wheel by one or more pins, and wherein the plurality of turbine stages includes a first turbine stage to be machined, a second turbine stage that is adjacent to the first turbine stage, and a third turbine stage that is adjacent to the first turbine stage and opposite the second turbine stage, the method comprising: engaging the second turbine stage; while the second turbine stage is engaged, pushing-off of the second turbine stage to translate a cutting tool toward and into contact with the first turbine stage; and while the second turbine stage is being pushed-off from, penetrating the first turbine stage with the cutting tool.