Abstract: A hot wire cutting machine. Hot wire cutting machine comprises a heated wire (101); springs (102 and 102a) and grooved rods (103, 104 and 401) supported on end bearings (402 and 403) and optional bearings (404) at middle of the rod (103, 104 and 401) wherein the rod (401) is coupled to a motor 504 for rotating the rod (401) in the direction of wire movement due to thermal effects and achieve minimum rubbing between wire and rod. The composite cutting wire comprises a first wire (1209) which is thicker, braided, high-strength, low electrical resistance joined with a second wire 1201 which is having high-electrical resistance (NiChrome) wherein the first wire (1209) and second wire (1201) are joined by manual twisting/welding and the first wire (1209) is capable of withstanding bending cycles moving over threaded/grooved rod (1203) and oscillated along its length by to-fro rotation of splined shaft (1204).

Abstract: An apparatus for shaping an edge of an aerofoil comprising a brush and the brush comprises a plurality of bristles extending substantially parallel to each other. A motor rotates the brush about an axis. The axis is arranged substantially parallel to the bristles of the brush. A support structure holds the brush such that the axis intersects a first surface of the edge of the aerofoil or holds the brush such that the axis intersects a second surface of the edge of the aerofoil. There are means to move the brush such that the brush contacts the first surface of the edge or such that the brush contacts the second surface of the edge. There are means to produce relative movement of the brush and the aerofoil such that the first brush moves longitudinally along the edge of the aerofoil to shape the edge of the aerofoil.

Abstract: A method of machining an article. The method includes: scanning the article to determine an initial surface profile; determining a cross sectional area removed from the article by a material removal tool in a material removal pass under controlled conditions; using the cross sectional area to determine one or more material removal tool contact angles for at least one material removal pass by the material removal tool under the controlled conditions required to conform the initial surface profile to a nominal surface profile; and machining the article to conform the initial surface profile to the nominal surface profile.

Abstract: An apparatus for shaping an edge of an aerofoil comprising a brush and the brush comprises a plurality of bristles extending substantially parallel to each other. A motor rotates the brush about an axis. The axis is arranged substantially parallel to the bristles of the brush. A support structure holds the brush such that the axis intersects a first surface of the edge of the aerofoil or holds the brush such that the axis intersects a second surface of the edge of the aerofoil. There are means to move the brush such that the brush contacts the first surface of the edge or such that the brush contacts the second surface of the edge. There are means to produce relative movement of the brush and the aerofoil such that the first brush moves longitudinally along the edge of the aerofoil to shape the edge of the aerofoil.