Method and apparatus for wind turbine blade production flange trimming

A method of trimming a spanwise extending production flange from a wind turbine blade during manufacture of the wind turbine blade, the method comprising:

• mounting a self-propelled production flange trimming apparatus on a spanwise extending production flange of the wind turbine blade;
• using a drive system of the apparatus comprising one more drive members (configured to operatively engage the production flange to propel the apparatus along the spanwise length of the production flange;
• using a directional control system of the apparatus to control the direction of the apparatus as it is propelled along the spanwise length of the production flange, wherein the controlling of the direction comprises following a first surface portion of the production flange with a follower mechanism of the apparatus, wherein the follower mechanism comprises at least two follower wheels configured to bear against opposite sides of the first surface portion;
• and
• using a cutting tool of the apparatus to cut through the production flange to separate the production flange from the wind turbine blade as the apparatus is propelled along the spanwise length of the production flange.

A self-propelled wind turbine blade production flange trimming apparatus for trimming a spanwise extending production flange from a wind turbine blade during manufacture of the wind turbine blade, the apparatus comprising:

• a carriage;
• one or more drive members operatively attached to the carriage, wherein the one more drive members are configured to operatively engage the production flange;
• a directional control system operatively attached to the carriage, wherein the directional control system is arranged to control the direction of the apparatus by following a first surface portion of the production flange with a follower mechanism comprised by the apparatus, wherein the follower mechanism comprises at least two follower wheels configured to bear against opposite sides of the first surface portion;
• and
• a cutting tool operatively attached to the carriage.