METHOD OF FORMING A TURBINE ENGINE COMPONENT

• US 20120102735A1
• Filed: 10/28/2010
• Published: 05/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PCC Airfoils LLC (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: PCC Airfoils LLC (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Inventors: MORELAND, THOMAS R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,533,947 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 29/888.01
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 30/00 Apparatus for additive manufacturing; Details thereof or accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 80/00 Products made by additive manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 25/285 Temporary support structures, e.g. for testing, assembling, installing, repairing; Assembly methods using such structures
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 9/041 using blades F01D5/148 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2230/21 by casting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49231 I.C. [internal combustion] engine making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4932 Turbomachine making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49323 Assembling fluid flow directing devices, e.g., stators, diaphragms, nozzles

Abstract

The present invention provides a new and improved method of forming a turbine engine component having a plurality of airfoils disposed in an annular array between inner and outer shroud rings. The method includes forming inner and outer shroud ring patterns. The inner and outer shroud ring patterns may advantageously be formed by solid freeform fabrication techniques, such as stereolithography. An assembly fixture may be utilized to position the inner and outer shroud rings and an array of airfoils in a coaxial relationship. When the inner and outer shroud rings are to be assembled, axially inner and outer shroud ring patterns may be interconnected by providing relative rotation between annular sections of the shroud ring patterns. In addition, adhesive may be utilized to interconnect the sections of the shroud ring patterns.

Claims

1. A method of forming a turbine engine component having a plurality of airfoils disposed in an annular array between inner and outer shroud rings, said method comprising the steps of forming an inner shroud ring pattern by sequentially forming cross sectional layers of the inner shroud ring pattern and interconnecting the cross sectional layers of the inner shroud ring pattern, forming an outer shroud ring pattern by sequentially forming cross sectional layers of the outer shroud ring pattern and interconnecting the cross sectional layers of the outer shroud ring pattern, positioning a plurality of airfoils in an annular array with radially inner end portions of the airfoils adjacent the inner shroud ring pattern and radially outer end portions of the airfoils adjacent the outer shroud ring pattern, covering the inner and outer shroud ring patterns with ceramic mold material, removing the inner and outer shroud ring patterns from the covering of ceramic mold material to leave inner and outer shroud ring mold cavities having configurations corresponding to the configurations of the inner and outer shroud ring patterns, filling the inner and outer shroud ring mold cavities with molten metal, and solidifying the molten metal in the inner and outer shroud ring mold cavities to form inner and outer shroud rings which are connected to the radially inner and outer end portions of the airfoils.

2. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of forming an inner shroud ring pattern includes forming first and second inner shroud ring pattern sections, said step of positioning a plurality of airfoils in an annular array includes positioning the radially inner end portions of the airfoils adjacent to the first inner shroud ring pattern section and positioning the second inner shroud ring pattern section adjacent to the radially inner end portions of the airfoils, said step of interconnecting the cross sectional layers of the inner shroud ring pattern includes interconnecting the first and second inner shroud ring pattern sections with the radially inner end portions of the airfoils at least partially disposed between portions of the first and second inner shroud ring pattern sections, said step of forming an outer shroud ring pattern includes forming first and second outer shroud ring pattern sections, said step of positioning a plurality of airfoils in an annular array includes positioning the radially outer end portions of the airfoils adjacent to the first outer shroud ring pattern section and positioning the second outer shroud ring pattern section adjacent to the radially outer end portions of the airfoils, said step of interconnecting the cross sectional layers of the outer shroud ring pattern includes interconnecting the first and second outer shroud ring pattern sections with the radially outer end portions of the airfoils at least partially disposed between portions of the first and second outer shroud ring pattern sections.

3. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of sequentially forming cross sectional layers of the inner shroud ring pattern includes forming a first annular layer of the inner shroud ring pattern, forming a second annular layer of the inner shroud ring pattern adjacent to the first annular layer of the inner shroud ring pattern, adhering the second annular layer of the inner shroud ring pattern to first annular layer of the inner shroud ring pattern, forming a first discontinuous layer of the inner shroud ring pattern, forming a second discontinuous layer of the inner shroud ring pattern adjacent to the first discontinuous layer of the inner shroud ring pattern, adhering the second discontinuous layer of the inner shroud ring pattern to the first discontinuous layer of the inner shroud ring pattern, said step of interconnecting cross sectional the layers of the inner shroud ring pattern includes forming at least a portion of the inner shroud ring pattern with a unitary construction, said step of sequentially forming cross sectional layers of the outer shroud ring pattern includes forming a first annular layer of the outer shroud ring pattern, forming a second annular layer of the outer shroud ring pattern adjacent to the first annular layer of the outer shroud ring pattern, adhering the second annular layer of the outer shroud ring pattern to the first annular layer of the outer shroud ring pattern, forming a first discontinuous layer of the outer shroud ring pattern, and forming a second discontinuous layer of the outer shroud ring pattern adjacent to the first discontinuous layer of the outer shroud ring pattern said step of interconnecting the cross sectional layers of the outer shroud ring pattern includes forming at least a portion of the outer shroud ring pattern with a unitary construction.

4. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of forming an inner shroud ring pattern includes forming first and second annular inner shroud ring pattern sections, said step of forming an outer shroud ring pattern includes forming first and second annular outer shroud ring pattern sections, said method further includes positioning the first annular inner shroud ring pattern section and the first annular outer shroud ring pattern section a coaxial relationship, said step of positioning a plurality of airfoils in an annular array includes positioning the plurality of airfoils in an annular array which is disposed in a coaxial relationship with said first annular inner shroud ring pattern section and in a coaxial relationship with said first annular outer shroud ring pattern section.

7. A method as set forth in claim 1 further including the step of providing an annular array of airfoil locating surface portions, said step of positioning a plurality of airfoils in an annular array includes positioning each one of the airfoils of the plurality of airfoils in engagement with at least one of the airfoil locating surface portions.

8. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of positioning a plurality of airfoils in an annular array includes positioning the airfoils with radially inner end portions of the airfoils spaced from the inner shroud ring pattern and radially outer end portions of the airfoils spaced from the outer shroud ring pattern, said method further includes connecting the radially inner end portions of the airfoils to the inner shroud ring pattern with bodies of connecting material which extend between radially inner end portions of the airfoils and the inner shroud ring pattern and connecting the radially outer end portions of the airfoils to the outer shroud ring pattern with bodies of connecting material which extend between the radially outer end portions of the airfoils and the outer shroud ring pattern.

9. A method as set forth in claim 1 further including the steps of providing an assembly fixture, positioning a first annular portion of the inner shroud ring pattern on the assembly fixture, positioning a first annular portion of the outer shroud ring pattern on the assembly fixture, said steps of positioning first annular portions of the inner and outer shroud ring patterns on the assembly fixture include positioning the first annular portions of the inner and outer shroud ring patterns in a coaxial relationship, said step of positioning a plurality of airfoils in an annular array includes positioning the plurality of airfoils in an annular array on the assembly fixture with the annular array of airfoils in a coaxial relationship with the first annular portion of the inner shroud ring pattern and in a coaxial relationship with the first annular portion of the outer shroud ring pattern, thereafter, positioning a second annular portion of the inner shroud ring pattern on the assembly fixture, and positioning a second annular portion of the outer shroud ring pattern on the assembly fixture.

10. A method as set forth in claim 9 wherein said step of positioning a second annular portion of the inner shroud ring pattern on the assembly fixture includes engaging the first annular portion of the inner shroud ring pattern with the second annular portion of the inner shroud ring pattern and providing relative rotation between the first and second annular portions of the inner shroud ring pattern, said step of positioning a second annular portion of the outer shroud ring pattern on the assembly fixture includes engaging the first annular portion of the outer shroud ring pattern with the second annular portion of the outer shroud ring pattern and providing relative rotation between the first and second annular portions of the outer shroud ring pattern.

11. A method as set forth in claim 9 further including the steps of interconnecting radially inner end portions of the airfoils in the annular array of airfoils and the first and second annular portions of the inner shroud ring pattern by positioning bodies of connecting material in engagement with the radially inner end portions of the airfoils and the first and second annular portions of the inner shroud ring pattern, and interconnecting radially outer end portions of the airfoils in the annular array of airfoils and the first and second annular portions of the outer shroud ring pattern by positioning bodies of connecting material in engagement with the radially outer end portions of the airfoils and the first and second annular portions of the outer shroud ring pattern.

12. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of forming an inner shroud ring pattern includes forming a first inner shroud ring pattern section with an annular body portion and a plurality of projections which extend from the annular body portion and forming a second inner shroud ring pattern section with an annular body portion and a plurality of projections which extend from the annular body portion of the second inner shroud ring pattern section, and interconnecting the first and second inner shroud ring pattern sections by positioning the annular body portions of the first and second inner shroud ring pattern sections in a coaxial relationship with the projections on the first inner shroud ring pattern section at least partially disposed between projections on the second inner shroud ring pattern section and providing relative rotation between the first and second inner shroud ring pattern sections.

13. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of forming an outer shroud ring pattern includes forming a first outer shroud ring pattern section with an annular body portion and a plurality of projections which extend from the annular body portion and forming a second outer shroud ring pattern section with an annular body portion and a plurality of projections which extend from the annular body portion of the second outer shroud ring pattern section, and interconnecting the first and second outer shroud ring pattern sections by positioning the annular body portions of the first and second outer shroud ring pattern sections in a coaxial relationship with the projections on the first outer shroud ring pattern section at least partially disposed between projections on the second outer shroud ring pattern section and providing relative rotation between the first and second outer shroud ring pattern sections.

14. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of forming an inner shroud ring pattern includes providing a body of a liquid which is capable of solidification when exposed to a beam of radiation, positioning a support member immersed in the body of liquid in a position adjacent and immediately below an upper surface of the body of liquid, exposing the upper surface of the body of liquid to a beam of radiation, moving the beam of radiation relative to the upper surface of the body of liquid to effect formation of a first layer of solidified material on the support member, moving the support member and first layer of solidified material downward in the body of liquid, covering an upper surface of the first layer of solidified material with the liquid, exposing at least a portion of the upper surface of the liquid disposed over the first layer of solidified material to a beam of radiation, moving the beam of radiation relative to the body of liquid to effect formation of a second layer of solidified material on the first layer of solidified material, and adhering the second layer of solidified material to the first layer of solidified material, said step of forming the outer shroud ring pattern includes positioning the support member in the body of liquid in a first position adjacent and immediately below the upper surface of the body of liquid, exposing the upper surface of the body of liquid to a beam of radiation, moving the beam of radiation relative to the upper surface of the body of liquid to effect formation of a third layer of solidified material on the support member, moving the support member and third layer of solidified material downward in the body of liquid, covering an upper surface of the third layer of solidified material with the liquid, exposing at least a portion of the upper surface of the liquid disposed over the third layer of solidified material to a beam of radiation, moving the beam of radiation relative to the body of liquid to effect formation of a fourth layer of solidified material on the third layer of solidified material, and adhering the fourth layer of solidified material to the third layer of solidified material.

15. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of positioning the plurality of airfoils in an annular array includes engaging reference surface areas on at least one of the shroud ring patterns with locating surface areas on end portions of the airfoils.

16. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of the airfoils of the plurality of airfoils is formed of metal, said step of forming an inner shroud ring pattern includes forming at least a portion of the inner shroud ring pattern of a polymeric material, said step of positioning a plurality of airfoils in an annular array includes positioning at least one of the metal airfoils relative to the inner shroud ring by moving a locating surface on the one metal airfoil into engagement with a locating surface formed of polymeric material and disposed on the inner shroud ring.

17. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of the airfoils of the plurality of airfoils is formed of metal, said step of forming an outer shroud ring pattern includes forming at least a portion of the outer shroud ring pattern of a polymeric material, said step of positioning a plurality of airfoils in an annular array includes positioning at least one of the metal airfoils relative to the outer shroud ring by moving a locating surface on the one metal airfoil into engagement with a locating surface formed of polymeric material and disposed on the outer shroud ring.

18. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of forming an outer shroud ring pattern includes forming an outer shroud ring pattern having an annular flange, said method further includes gripping the annular flange on the outer shroud ring pattern while performing said step of positioning a plurality of airfoils in an annular array.

19. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of forming an inner shroud ring pattern includes forming an inner shroud ring pattern having an annular flange, said method further includes gripping the annular flange on the inner shroud ring pattern while performing said step of positioning a plurality of airfoils in an annular array.

5. A method as set forth in 4 further including the steps of positioning the second annular inner shroud ring pattern section adjacent to the annular array of airfoils in a coaxial relationship with the first annular inner shroud ring pattern section, positioning the second annular outer shroud ring pattern section adjacent to the annular array of airfoils in a coaxial relationship with the first annular outer shroud ring pattern section, interconnecting the first and second annular inner shroud ring pattern sections, and interconnecting the first and second annular outer shroud ring pattern sections.

6. A method as set forth in claim 5 wherein said step of interconnecting the first and second annular inner shroud ring pattern sections includes rotating one of the first and second annular inner shroud ring pattern sections relative to the other of the first and second annular inner shroud ring pattern sections, said step of interconnecting the first and second annular outer shroud ring pattern sections includes rotating one of the first and second annular outer shroud ring pattern sections relative to the other of the first and second annular outer shroud ring pattern sections.

20. A method of forming a turbine engine component having a plurality of airfoils disposed in an annular array between inner and outer shroud rings, said method comprising the steps of positioning a first annular section of an inner shroud ring pattern on an assembly fixture, positioning a first annular section of an outer shroud ring pattern on the assembly fixture, said first annular section of an inner shroud ring pattern and said first annular section of an outer shroud ring pattern being positioned on the assembly fixture in a coaxial relationship, positioning a plurality of airfoils in an annular array on the assembly fixture with the annular array of airfoils at least partially disposed between the first annular section of the inner shroud ring pattern and the first annular section of the outer shroud ring pattern, said step of positioning a plurality of airfoils in an annular array on the assembly fixture includes positioning the annular array of airfoils in a coaxial relationship with the first annular section of the inner shroud ring pattern and in a coaxial relationship with the first annular section of the outer shroud ring pattern, positioning a second annular section of the inner shroud ring pattern on the assembly fixture in a coaxial relationship with the first annular section of the inner shroud ring pattern, said step of positioning a second annular section of the inner shroud ring pattern on the assembly fixture includes providing relative rotation between the first and second annular sections of the inner shroud ring pattern, and positioning the second annular section of the outer shroud ring pattern on the assembly fixture in a coaxial relationship with the first annular section of the outer shroud ring pattern, said step of positioning a second annular section of the outer shroud ring pattern on the assembly fixture includes providing relative rotation between the first and second annular sections of the outer shroud ring pattern.

21. A method as set forth in claim 20 further including the steps of forming the first annular section of the inner shroud ring pattern by sequentially forming cross sectional layers of the first annular section of the inner shroud ring pattern and interconnecting the cross sectional layers of the first annular section of the inner shroud ring pattern, forming the second annular section of the inner shroud ring pattern by sequentially forming cross sectional layers of the second annular section of the inner shroud ring pattern and interconnecting the cross sectional layers of the second annular section of the inner shroud ring pattern, forming the first annular section of the outer shroud ring pattern by sequentially forming cross sectional layers of the first annular section of the outer shroud ring pattern and interconnecting the cross sectional layers of the first annular section of the outer shroud ring pattern, and forming the second annular section of the outer shroud ring pattern by sequentially forming cross sectional layers of the second annular section of the outer shroud ring pattern and interconnecting the cross sectional layers of the second annular section of the outer shroud ring pattern.

22. A method as set forth in claim 21 wherein said step of sequentially forming cross sectional layers of the first annular section of the inner shroud ring pattern includes forming a first annular layer of the first annular section of the inner shroud ring pattern, forming a second annular layer of the first annular section of the inner shroud ring pattern adjacent to the first annular layer of the first annular section of the inner shroud ring pattern, adhering the second annular layer of the first annular section of the inner shroud ring pattern to the first annular layer of the first annular section of the inner shroud ring pattern, forming a first discontinuous layer of the first annular section of the inner shroud ring pattern, forming a second discontinuous layer of the first annular section of the inner shroud ring pattern adjacent to the first discontinuous layer of the first annular section of the inner shroud ring pattern, and adhering the second discontinuous layer of the first annular section of the inner shroud ring pattern to the first discontinuous layer of the first annular section of the inner shroud ring pattern, said step of sequentially forming cross sectional layers of the second annular section of the inner shroud ring pattern includes forming a first annular layer of the second annular section of the inner shroud ring pattern, forming a second annular layer of the second annular section of the inner shroud ring pattern adjacent to the first annular layer of the second annular section of the inner shroud ring pattern, adhering the second annular layer of the second annular section of the inner shroud ring pattern to the first annular layer of the second annular section of the inner shroud ring pattern, forming a first discontinuous layer of the second annular section of the inner shroud ring pattern, forming a second discontinuous layer of the second annular section of the inner shroud ring pattern adjacent to the first discontinuous layer of the second annular section of the inner shroud ring pattern, adhering the second discontinuous layer of the second annular section of the inner shroud ring pattern to the first discontinuous layer of the second annular section of the inner shroud ring pattern.

23. A method as set forth in claim 22 said step of positioning the first annular section of an inner shroud ring pattern on the assembly fixture includes positioning the first annular section of the inner shroud ring pattern on the assembly fixture with the first and second discontinuous layers of the first annular section of the inner shroud ring pattern facing in a direction away from the assembly fixture, said step of positioning a second annular section of the inner shroud ring pattern on the assembly fixture includes positioning the second annular section of the inner shroud ring pattern on the assembly fixture with the first and second discontinuous layers of the second annular section of the inner shroud ring pattern facing in a direction toward the assembly fixture.

24. A method as set forth in claim 21 wherein said step of sequentially forming cross sectional layers of the second annular section of the outer shroud ring pattern includes forming a first annular layer of the second annular section of the outer shroud ring pattern, forming a second annular layer of the second annular section of the outer shroud ring pattern adjacent to the first annular layer of the second annular section of the outer shroud ring pattern, adhering the second annular layer of the second annular section of the outer shroud ring pattern to the first annular layer of the second annular section of the outer shroud ring pattern, forming a first discontinuous layer of the second annular section of the outer shroud ring pattern, forming a second discontinuous layer of the second annular section of the outer shroud ring pattern adjacent to the first discontinuous layer of the second annular section of the outer shroud ring pattern, adhering the second discontinuous layer of the second annular section of the outer shroud ring pattern to the first discontinuous layer of the second annular section of the outer shroud ring pattern, and interconnecting the layers of the second annular section of the outer shroud ring pattern to form at least a portion of the second annular section of the outer shroud ring pattern, said step of sequentially forming cross sectional layers of the second annular section of the outer shroud ring pattern includes forming a first annular layer of the second annular section of the outer shroud ring pattern, forming a second annular layer of the second annular section of the outer shroud ring pattern adjacent to the first annular layer of the second annular section of the outer shroud ring pattern, adhering the second annular layer of the second annular section of the outer shroud ring pattern to the first annular layer of the second annular section of the outer shroud ring pattern, forming a first discontinuous layer of the second annular section of the outer shroud ring pattern, forming a second discontinuous layer of the second annular section of the outer shroud ring pattern adjacent to the first discontinuous layer of the second annular section of the outer shroud ring pattern, adhering the second discontinuous layer of the second annular section of the outer shroud ring pattern to the first discontinuous layer of the second annular section of the outer shroud ring pattern, and interconnecting the layers of the second annular section of the outer shroud ring pattern to form at least a portion of the second annular section of the outer shroud ring pattern.

25. A method as set forth in claim 24 said step of positioning a first annular section of an outer shroud ring pattern on the assembly fixture includes positioning the first annular section of the outer shroud ring pattern on the assembly fixture with the first and second discontinuous layers of the first annular section of the outer shroud ring pattern facing in a direction away from the assembly fixture, said step of positioning a second annular section of the outer shroud ring pattern on the assembly fixture includes positioning the second annular section of the outer shroud ring pattern on the assembly fixture with the first and second discontinuous layers of the second annular section of the outer shroud ring pattern facing in a direction toward the assembly fixture.

26. A method as set forth in claim 20 wherein said step of positioning a plurality of airfoils in an annular array on the assembly fixture includes positioning each of the airfoils relative to a locating ramp disposed in an annular array of locating ramps on the assembly fixture.

27. A method as set forth in claim 20 further including the steps of moving a first plurality of retaining members disposed on the assembly fixture toward a radially outer side surface of the outer shroud ring pattern, first annular section of the moving a second plurality of retaining members disposed on the assembly fixture toward a radially inner side surface of the first annular section of the inner shroud ring pattern, to gripping the first annular section of the outer shroud ring pattern with the first plurality of retaining members, and gripping the first annular section of the inner shroud ring pattern with the second plurality of retaining members.

28. A method as set forth in claim 20 further including the steps of operating first clamps to apply force against an annular axial end surface of the outer shroud ring pattern to hold the outer shroud ring pattern against movement relative to the assembly fixture, and operating second clamps to apply force against an annular axial end surface of the inner shroud ring pattern to hold the inner shroud ring pattern against movement relative to the assembly fixture.

29. A method as set forth in claim 20 wherein said step of positioning a plurality of airfoils in an annular array on the assembly fixture includes engaging each of airfoils and at least one of first and second annular sections of one of the inner and outer shroud ring patterns to locate the airfoils relative to at least one of the first and second annular sections of at least one of the inner and outer shroud ring patterns.

30. A method of forming a turbine engine component having a plurality of airfoils disposed in an annular array between inner and outer shroud rings, said method comprising the steps of positioning a first section of an inner shroud ring pattern and a first section of an outer shroud ring pattern in a coaxial relationship with the first section of the outer shroud ring pattern extending around the first section of the inner shroud ring pattern, thereafter, positioning a plurality of airfoils in an annular array which is in a coaxial relationship with the first sections of the inner and outer shroud ring patterns, thereafter, positioning a second section of the inner shroud ring pattern in a coaxial relationship with the first section of the inner shroud ring pattern, positioning a second section of the outer shroud ring pattern in a coaxial relationship with the first section of the outer shroud ring pattern, thereafter, covering the first and second sections of the inner and outer shroud ring patterns with ceramic mold material, removing the first and second sections of the inner and outer shroud ring patterns from the covering of ceramic mold material to leave inner and outer shroud ring mold cavities, filling the inner and outer shroud ring mold cavities with molten metal, and solidifying the molten metal to form inner and outer shroud rings which are connected with radially inner and outer end portions of the airfoils.

31. A method as set forth in claim 30 further including the steps of forming at least one of the first and second sections of the inner shroud ring pattern by sequentially forming cross sectional layers of the one of the first and second sections of the inner shroud ring pattern and interconnecting the cross sectional layers of the one of the first and second sections of the inner shroud ring pattern, and forming at least one of the first and second sections of the outer shroud ring pattern by sequentially forming cross sectional layers of the one of the first and second sections of the outer shroud ring pattern and interconnecting the cross sectional layers of the one of the first and second sections of the outer shroud ring pattern.

32. A method as set forth in claim 30 wherein said step of positioning a second section of the inner shroud ring pattern in a coaxial relationship with the first section of the inner shroud ring pattern includes providing relative rotation between the first and second sections of the inner shroud ring pattern, said step of positioning second sections of the outer shroud ring pattern in a coaxial relationship with the first section of the outer shroud ring pattern includes providing relative rotation between the first and second sections of the outer shroud ring pattern.

33. A method as set forth in claim 30 wherein said step of positioning a first section of an inner shroud ring pattern and a first section of an outer shroud ring pattern in a coaxial relationship includes gripping a radially inwardly extending flange on the first section of the inner shroud ring pattern and gripping a radially outwardly extending flange on the first section of the outer shroud ring pattern to retain the first sections of the inner and outer shroud ring patterns against movement relative to each other.

34. A method as set forth in claim 33 wherein said step of positioning a second section of the inner shroud ring pattern in a coaxial relationship with the first section of the inner shroud ring pattern includes gripping the first and second sections of the inner shroud ring pattern with force which urges the first and second sections of the inner shroud ring pattern axially toward each other, said step of positioning a second section of the outer shroud ring pattern in a coaxial relationship with the first section of the outer shroud ring pattern includes gripping the first and second sections of the outer shroud ring pattern with force which urges the first and second sections of the outer shroud ring pattern axially toward each other.

35. A method of forming a turbine engine component having a plurality of a plurality of airfoils disposed in an annular array, said method comprising the steps of forming a first annular section of an inner shroud ring pattern by sequentially forming cross sectional layers of the first section of the inner shroud ring pattern and interconnecting the cross sectional layers of the first section of the inner shroud ring pattern, forming a first annular section of an outer shroud ring pattern by sequentially forming cross sectional layers of the first section of the outer shroud ring pattern and interconnecting the cross sectional layers of the first section of the outer shroud ring pattern, positioning the first section of the inner shroud ring pattern on an assembly fixture, positioning the first section of the outer shroud ring pattern on the assembly fixture, said steps of positioning the first section of the inner shroud ring pattern on the assembly fixture and positioning the first section of outer shroud ring pattern on the assembly fixture include positioning the first sections of the inner and outer shroud ring patterns in a coaxial relationship, gripping the first sections of the inner and outer shroud ring patterns with the assembly fixture to retain the first sections of the inner and outer shroud ring patterns in a coaxial relationship, positioning a plurality of airfoils in an annular array on the assembly fixture in a coaxial relationship with the first sections of the inner and outer shroud ring patterns, forming a second annular section of the inner shroud ring pattern by sequentially forming cross sectional layers of the second section of the inner shroud ring pattern and interconnecting the cross sectional layers of the second section of the inner shroud ring pattern, forming a second annular section of an outer shroud ring pattern by sequentially forming cross sectional layers of the second section of the outer shroud ring pattern and interconnecting the cross sectional layers of the second section of the outer shroud ring pattern, positioning the second section of the inner shroud ring pattern in a coaxial relationship with the first section of the inner shroud ring pattern while the first section of the inner shroud ring pattern is disposed on the assembly fixture in a coaxial relationship with the annular array of airfoils, and positioning the second section of the outer shroud ring pattern in a coaxial relationship with the first section of the outer shroud ring pattern while the first section of the outer shroud ring pattern is disposed on the assembly fixture in a coaxial relationship with the annular array of airfoils.

36. A method as set forth in claim 35 wherein said step of positioning the second section of the inner shroud ring pattern in a coaxial relationship with the first section of the inner shroud ring pattern includes rotating the second section of the inner shroud ring pattern relative to the first section of the inner shroud ring pattern, said step of positioning the second section of the outer shroud ring pattern in a coaxial relationship with the first section of the outer shroud ring pattern includes rotating the second section of the outer shroud ring pattern relative to the first section of the outer shroud ring pattern.

37. A method as set forth in claim 35 wherein said step of gripping the first sections of the inner and outer shroud ring patterns with the assembly fixture includes gripping a radially inwardly extending flange on the first section of the inner shroud ring pattern with the assembly fixture and gripping a radially outwardly extending flange on the first section of the outer shroud ring pattern with the assembly fixture.