Tool and process for casting a shaped part for the production of a turbine blade

Abstract

The present invention relates to a tool for casting a shaped part for the production of a turbine blade, with several tool blocks which, when assembled with positive engagement in a predetermined manner, form a cavity for the shaped part, into which cavity flowable material can be introduced by means of one or more access apertures. At least one of the tool blocks receives a rotatable or displaceable insert or inset which borders the cavity with a surface and which can be fixed in different positions and/or orientations of the tool blocks, so that different cavity geometries are formed in the different positions and/or orientations of the insert or inset. The tool makes possible a later change of the geometry of the shaped part, in particular of the attack angle, without having to manufacture new tool blocks for this purpose.

1 . (Amended) A tool for casting a shaped part for production of a turbine blade, with several tool blocks which, when assembled with positive engagement in a predetermined manner, form a cavity for the shaped part, into which cavity flowable material can be introduced by means of one or more access apertures, wherein 
 at least one of the tool blocks receives a rotatable or displaceable insert or inset which borders on the cavity with a surface and which can be fixed in different positions and/or orientations with respect to the at least one tool block, so that different cavity geometries are formed in the different positions and/or orientations of the insert or of the inset.    
     
     
         2 . (Amended) The tool according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 the insert or inset determines or contributes to the hot gas geometry of the blade of the turbine blade.    
     
     
         3 . (Amended) The tool according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 at least two inserts or insets are constituted in opposed tool blocks, such that when assembled they form, for determining the geometry of the blade, a cylindrical insertion unit which is rotatable around its longitudinal axis in the tool blocks for setting the attack angle of the blade and which can be fixed in different rotation positions.    
     
     
         4 . (Amended) The tool according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 the rotatable insert or inset can be fixed in rotation positions which respectively differ by about 0.25-0.5°.    
     
     
         5 . (Amended) The tool according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 the, or a further, insert or inset is arranged to be displaceable along an axis in a tool block which determines the geometry of the blade platform, such that in different displacement positions, different heights of the blade platform are produced.    
     
     
         6 . (Amended) The tool according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 adapters are provided which are insertable into interspaces arising between the insert or inset and the tool blocks and/or between several inserts or insets.    
     
     
         7 . (Amended) The tool according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 at least one insert or inset can be fixed in the different positions and/or orientations with respect to the tool block by means of securing pins which engage in corresponding recesses in the tool block.    
     
     
         8 . (Amended) The tool according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 the tool blocks include, arranged on a baseplate, a tool block for the pressure side of the blade, a tool block for the suction side of the blade, a tool block for the blade platform, and a tool block for the blade band of the turbine blade.    
     
     
         9 . (Amended) A process for production of a shaped part for a turbine blade, comprising the steps of: 
 assembling several tool blocks with positive engagement for formation of a cavity which gives the shape of the turbine blade;    introducing liquid material into the cavity and hardened in the cavity;    removing the tool blocks;    using at least one tool block which receives, before the introduction of the liquid material, a rotatable or displaceable insert or inset which borders on the cavity with a surface, the insert or inset being fixed, before the introduction of the flowable material, in a position and/or orientation with respect to the at least one tool block in order to set the shape of the cavity with the selected position and/or orientation.    
     
     
         10 . (Amended) The process according to  claim 9 , wherein 
 the insert or inset is fixed in the selected position and/or orientation with respect to the tool block by means of securing pins.    
     
     
         11 . (Amended) The process according to  claim 9 , wherein, 
 before the introduction of the flowable material, adapters are inserted into interspaces arising between the insert or inset and the tool blocks and/or between several inserts or insets.    
     
     
         12 . (Amended) The process according to  claim 9  for the adjustment of the attack angle of the blade of the turbine blade on the shaped part.  
     
     
         13 . (Amended) The process according to  claim 9  for the adjustment of the height of the blade platform of the turbine blade on the shaped part.  
     
     
         14 . (New) A tool for casting a shaped part for production of a turbine blade, comprising: 
 a plurality of tool blocks which, when assembled with positive engagement in a predetermined manner, form a cavity for the shaped part into which flowable material can be introduced by means of one or more access apertures;    wherein at least one of the tool blocks for receiving a rotatable or displaceable insert or inset which borders on the cavity with a surface and which can be fixed in different positions and/or orientations with respect to the at least one tool block, so that different cavity geometries are formed in the different positions and/or orientations of the insert or of the inset.