Methods and devices for post mould processing of a composite structure

A system comprising:

• a wind turbine blade extending along a longitudinal direction and comprising:
• an airfoil part;
• and
• a flange section extending around a perimeter of the airfoil, the flange section comprising an upper surface having a first mating part with a specific shape in a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the first mating part being located at a fixed position relative to the airfoil;
• and
• an assistance tool comprising:
• a body having a bottom surface defining a second mating part shaped and dimensioned to fit with the specific shape of the first mating part of the flange section, such that, when the assistance tool is arranged on the flange section and the second mating part is fitted with the first mating part, the body of the assistance tool can be moved along the flange section at a pre-determined distance from the airfoil.

A method for separating a flange section from a composite structure, wherein the composite structure extends along a longitudinal direction and comprising a main composite part, and the flange section extends around a perimeter of the main composite part, the flange section comprising an upper surface having a first mating part with a specific shape in a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the first mating part being located at a fixed position relative to the main composite part, and a cutting path being defined between the main composite part and the flange section, the method comprising:

• providing an assistance tool, wherein the assistance tools comprises a body having a bottom surface defining a second mating part shaped and dimensioned to fit with the specific shape of the first mating part of the flange section, such that, when the assistance tool is arranged on the flange section and the second mating part is fitted with the first mating part, the body of the assistance tool can be moved along the flange section at a pre-determined distance from the main composite part and a cutting element connected to the body and configured for cutting the composite structure along a cutting path defined between the main composite part and the flange section;
• arranging the assistance tool such that the first mating part of the composite structure and the second mating part of the assistance tool are fitted to each other;
• and
• moving the assistance tool along the flange section while operating the cutting element to separate the flange section from the main composite part along the cutting path.