Apparatus and a method for testing attachment features of components

An apparatus ( 10 ) for testing attachment features ( 26,28,30,32 ) of components ( 12,14 ) comprises a first member ( 16 ) having a first end ( 18 ), a second end ( 20 ), a first edge ( 22 ) and a second edge ( 24 ). The first edge ( 22 ) has a first firtree slot ( 26 ) to receive a first component ( 12 ) and the second edge ( 24 ) has a second firtree slot ( 28 ) to receive a second component ( 14 ). The first component ( 12 ) has a firtree attachment feature ( 30 ) to fit the first slot ( 26 ) and the second component ( 14 ) has a firtree attachment feature ( 32 ) to fit the second slot ( 28 ). The first end ( 18 ) of the first member ( 16 ) has flanges ( 34,36 ) extending laterally and the second end ( 20 ) of the first member ( 16 ) has flanges ( 38,40 ) extending laterally such that the first member ( 16 ) is substantially H-shaped in cross-section. First load means ( 42 ) apply a load on the first component ( 12 ) and second load means ( 44 ) apply a load on the second component ( 14 ) substantially in the opposite direction to the load on the first component ( 12 ). The apparatus may be used to test firtree attachments for turbine blades and discs.