Abstract: A method of repairing rotor blades on a turbine comprises the steps of removal of a rotor from the turbine, selecting predetermined desired position of the blades and, after removing any inter blade ties necessary to enable any required repair processes to be carried out, aligning all the blades to said predetermined aligned position prior to the carrying out of any repair step which may incorporate cutting, welding, machining etc., such alignment considerably facilitates semi-automated repair of each blade and has further benefits in facilitating reinsertion of inter blade ties and ensuring that the blades are not only in an aligned position but in a stress free condition when returned to the turbine.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing or repairing a turbine blade which includes removing a part of a blade such as a damaged part and securing thereto an insert of hard steel which has been hardened prior to securing to the turbine blade and is then welded to the turbine blade temporarily and heat treatment processes may be carried out and it is desired that the insert is hardened to a hardness greater than that eventually required since such hardness may be reduced during the securing of the insert to the turbine blade.

Abstract: A method of repairing turbine blades including a repair step which involves the application of substantial thermal energy to the blade such as a welding or brazing operation includes a pre-heating step in which the blade is heated to a predetermined temperature in a controlled manner. The controlled heating may be continued both during the repair step involving the application of substantial thermal energy and after the repair step in order to minimize stress in the blade due to the application of considerable thermal energy to the blade.