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For structures made of carbon fiber-reinforced plastics (CFRP), fast, robust, and reliable repair technologies are mandatory for economical usage. In this paper, the authors explain their strategy and experiences. An automated process is proposed to achieve the challenging goals. A general overview on the origin, effects, and analysis of contaminants in CFRP structures and the relationship to the achievable strength of adhesive bonds are given. For the repair of composite structures using adhesive bonding, surface pretreatment is a key factor in terms of reliability and strength. Different surface treatment processes such as grinding, grit blasting, plasma and pulsed lasers treatments are discussed. Furthermore, the possibilities and technical implementation of an automated milling process for the repair of composite structures are presented. This change from manual production to automation tremendously improved the quality and duration of the repair and allows the creation of a uniform surface for adhesive bonding. Further integration of novel technologies is discussed and will further support and enhance the repair in the near future. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]