Welding repair method of an integrally bladed rotor

A welded blade comprising:

• a blade having first and second airfoil surfaces;
• a patch secured to the blade at a welded joint adjoining the first and second airfoil surfaces, and the blade extending in a direction to the welded joint;
• and
• first and second cover sheets secured to the patch over the welded joint and extending beyond the welded joint in the direction, and respectively extending over the first and second airfoil surfaces in the direction in overlapping relationship thereto, the first and second cover sheets substantially unsecured to the first and second airfoil surfaces.

A weld clamping device comprising:

• first and second portions configured to be arranged about first and second parts, a first slot in the first portion configured to expose a weld interface between the first and second parts;
• a first clamping feature configured to secure the first and second portions about the first and second parts;
• and
• a locating feature provided on at least one of the first and second portions configured to maintain the first and second parts in abutment relative to one another at the weld interface.