Patent ID: 6912446

Claim:
A method for measuring and machining a blade having a weld-repaired region, the weld-repaired region being selected from the group consisting of a plate welded to a surface of the blade, a weld-filled crack repair volume, and combinations thereof, the method comprising: measuring the blade having the weld-repaired region with a displacement-sensing probe to acquire a plurality of data corresponding to the actual shape of the blade having the weld-repaired region; comparing the data to a nominal shape of the blade to determine a plurality of three-dimensional differences of the blade having the weld-repaired region with respect to the nominal shape; generating a numerically-controlled tool path using the three dimensional differences, the numerically controlled tool path being customized to blend the weld-repaired region smoothly with its adjacent surfaces; and blending the weld-repaired region using the numerically controlled tool path.