Methods for manufacturing wind turbine rotor blades and components thereof

A method for manufacturing a rotor blade of a wind turbine, the method comprising:

• forming a rotor blade structure having a box-shaped configuration with a first surface and an opposing, second surface separated by a hollow interior, the first and second surfaces being substantially flat;
• printing, via a computer numeric control (CNC) device, a leading edge segment of the rotor blade onto the first surface, wherein the leading edge segment bonds to the first surface as the leading edge segment is being printed;
• rotating the rotor blade structure having the leading edge segment bonded thereto about an axis of the CNC device such that the second surface is facing upward;
• printing, via the CNC device, a trailing edge segment of the rotor blade onto the second surface, wherein the trailing edge segment bonds to the second surface as the trailing edge segment is being printed;
• and,
• securing one or more fiber-reinforced outer skins to the leading and trailing edge segments so as to complete the rotor blade.