Method of sintering

Abstract

A method of sintering a metal injection-moulded, green aerofoil component. The method includes providing a setter having a stationary support arranged to support an aerofoil part of the component and a moveable platform arranged to support an end part of the component, the moveable platform being independently moveable relative to the stationary support. The method further includes locating the green component on the setter such that the aerofoil part and the end part are supported by respectively the stationary support and the moveable platform. The supported green component is then sintered, the moveable platform moving during the sintering relative to the stationary support to accommodate sintering-induced shrinkage of the component.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method of sintering a metal injection-moulded, green aerofoil component, the method including:
 providing a setter having a stationary support arranged to support an aerofoil part of the component and a moveable platform arranged to support an end part of the component, the moveable platform being independently moveable relative to the stationary support,   locating the green component on the setter such that the aerofoil part and the end part are supported by respectively the stationary support and the moveable platform, and   sintering the supported green component, the moveable platform moving during the sintering relative to the stationary support to accommodate sintering-induced shrinkage of the component.   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the stationary support has a shaped surface which contacts an aerofoil surface of the aerofoil part when the green component is located on the setter, the shaped surface conforming to the shape of the aerofoil surface at the final stages of sintering. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the moveable platform has a further shaped surface which contacts a surface of the end part when the green component is located on the setter, the further shaped surface conforming to the shape of the end part. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the aerofoil component is a vane or a rotor blade of a gas turbine engine. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1 , further including:
 removing the sintered aerofoil component from the setter, and   repeating the locating and sintering steps with another metal injection-moulded, green aerofoil component.   
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method further includes applying a friction reducing agent to the stationary support and/or the moveable platform at points of contact between the setter and the green component. 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein the friction reducing agent includes ceramic beads. 
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the setter has rollers or wheels which support the moveable platform to enable independent movement of the platform relative to the stationary support. 
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the moveable platform is hinged or pivoted to enable independent movement of the platform relative to the stationary support. 
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the setter has a stopper against which the the green component is located. 
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the green aerofoil component has first and second end parts at respective ends of the aerofoil part, and the setter has corresponding first and second moveable platforms.