Method for fixturing a gas turbine engine component for an electroplating process

A method of using a masking device to mask a portion of a gas turbine engine component for an electroplating process, the masking device comprising a main body having sidewalls, a removeable coverplate having an end plate and one or more locking tabs, a fastener located at least partially within the main body, and a shank engaged with the fastener, the method comprising:

• sliding the gas turbine engine component longitudinally through a retention slot defining an opening in the main body such that the gas turbine engine component is retained within the main body by the retention slot, the opening being perpendicular to the sidewalls;
• sliding the one or more locking tabs of the removeable coverplate longitudinally through the retention slot in the main body such that the removeable coverplate covers the opening of the main body;
• securing the one or more locking tabs in the sidewalls of the main body;
• and
• rotating the fastener relative to the shank such that the shank is drawn into contact with the gas turbine engine component;
• wherein, the shank is engaged with the fastener by way of a threaded engagement.

A method of masking a gas turbine component for electroplating using a masking device, the method comprising:

• sliding the gas turbine component longitudinally through a retention slot defining an opening in a main body of the masking device wherein the gas turbine component is retained within the main body by the retention slot, the opening being perpendicular to sidewalls of the main body;
• sliding a locking tab of a removable coverplate through the retention slot defining the opening of the main body to retain the coverplate to the main body;
• and
• securing the locking tab in the sidewalls of the main body.