Abstract: An automatic portable inspection system includes a part holder for holding a component to be inspected and a rotary actuator coupled to the part holder. The system further includes an eddy current probe for scanning the component and providing eddy current signals. The system also includes a self-alignment unit coupled to the eddy current probe and configured to align an axis of the probe substantially perpendicular to a surface of the component and to maintain constant contact with said surface of the component. The system also includes a linear actuator coupled to the self-alignment unit, for providing movement of the eddy current probe along the X, Y and Z axes. A motion control unit is coupled to the rotary actuator and the linear actuator, for controlling the rotary actuator and the linear actuator for moving said probe about the component in accordance with a scan plan.

Abstract: The method for repairing a turbomachine component comprises the steps of: setting up a laser cladding machine; preparing a portion of a turbomachine component to be repaired by removing a damaged volume of the component; rotating the turbomachine component with respect to the laser cladding machine; rebuilding the damaged volume by laser cladding in order to obtain a rebuilded volume in the damaged component; applying a heat treatment to the rebuilded volume of the turbomachine component; finishing a surface of the rebuilded volume; non-destructively testing the rebuilded volume; wherein the step of setting up the laser cladding machine includes some sub-steps for defining the parameters to operate said rebuilding phase.

Abstract: A method for repairing a turbomachine component comprises the steps of: setting up a laser cladding machine including a laser source a powder feeder and an air source, for repairing a narrow recess of the turbomachine component; defining a path including areas to be repaired by laser cladding within the narrow recess; moving forward the laser cladding machine or the turbomachine component, in order that said path is covered from the first to the second end point by the laser beam and the powder jet for repairing said areas to be repaired; moving backward the laser cladding machine or the turbomachine component, in order that said path is covered from the second to the first end point by the air jet for blowing away the powder in excess.

Abstract: An automatic portable inspection system includes a part holder for holding a component to be inspected and a rotary actuator coupled to the part holder. The system further includes an eddy current probe for scanning the component and providing eddy current signals. The system also includes a self-alignment unit coupled to the eddy current probe and configured to align an axis of the probe substantially perpendicular to a surface of the component and to maintain constant contact with said surface of the component. The system also includes a linear actuator coupled to the self-alignment unit, for providing movement of the eddy current probe along the X, Y and Z axes. A motion control unit is coupled to the rotary actuator and the linear actuator, for controlling the rotary actuator and the linear actuator for moving said probe about the component in accordance with a scan plan.