Patent ID: 8205334

Claim:
A method for repairing a defect in a component having a first major surface and a second major surface, a thickness between the major surfaces, and an edge perpendicular to the major surfaces, the method characterized by: utilizing a template to determine if the component is suitable for repair; and forming a slot cut entirely through the thickness of the component, the slot extending inward from the edge of the component towards an interior of the component to a depth from the edge sufficient to remove at least a substantial part of the defect, the slot having an open end at the edge of the component, a closed end within the component, a width, a radius at the closed end, and chamfered edges at the open end, wherein the template is utilized prior to forming the slot, and wherein forming the slot in the component comprises: forming an initial cut in the component with a first cutting surface, wherein the initial cut extends from the edge of the component at least to the defect; finishing the initial cut to the width and the radius with a second cutting surface, resulting in a finished cut including the edge at an open end of the finished cut at the edge of the component; and chamfering the edge of the finished cut with a third cutting surface.