Uv-ir combination curing system and method of use for wind blade manufacture and repair

A method of repairing a composite structure, comprising:

• providing a first layer of a composite structure comprising a reinforced resin including a reactive group and a photoinitiator;
• providing a plurality of successive layers of the composite structure comprising the reinforced resin including the reactive group and the photoinitiator, the first layer and the plurality of successive layers configured in a stack;
• providing a first radiation source configured to heat the first layer and the plurality of successive layers of the composite structure throughout a thickness of the plurality of layers of the composite structure;
• applying a first radiation from the first radiation source to heat the first layer and the plurality of successive layers of the composite structure, forming a plurality of pre-heated layers of the composite structure;
• providing a second radiation source configured to cure the plurality of pre-heated layers of the composite structure through a thickness of the plurality of pre-heated layers of the composite structure;
• and
• applying a second radiation from the second radiation source the plurality of pre-heated layers of the composite structure, forming a covalent bond across an interface of the first layer and an adjacent successive layer and a plurality of additional covalent bonds across additional interfaces of the plurality of successive layers.

A method, comprising:

• providing a first layer comprising a reinforced resin having a reactive group and a photoinitiator;
• providing additional successive layers comprising the reinforced resin having the reactive group and the photoinitiator
• applying a first radiation from a first radiation source to preheat the first layer and the additional successive layers throughout a thickness of the layers;
• and
• applying a second radiation from a second radiation source to cure the preheated first layer and the plurality of additional successive layers simultaneously throughout a thickness of the layers.