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Laser cleaning is based on laser ablation—the process of removing material mainly from a solid surface by irradiating it with a laser beam. Every material is composed of different molecular bonds that determine a specific ablation threshold—that is, the energy required to overcome the binding energy of the contaminant layer and decompose it. To remove the contaminant layer, the energy from the laser must be above the ablation threshold of the particular material; in general terms, as the ablation threshold increases, so does the energy required to remove the contaminant. For efficient laser cleaning, the ablation threshold of the material to be cleaned should be consistently higher than that of the material to be removed.

Principle of laser rust removal

Automatic equipment for Rust removal is an environmentally friendly way to remove rust, paint, oxide or other contaminants from metal surfaces. Due to its efficiency, it is used in more and more applications. 1000W laser cleaning machine requires a pulsating fiber laser (usually 50 watts or more).

Traditional industrial cleaning methods are often considered tedious (and for good reason). Rust removal can be both time consuming and labor intensive. Oxide removal can involve hazardous chemicals that are specific to each material being cleaned. In some cases, removing the paint with a sandblast can damage the metal beneath it.

Dealing with these problems usually comes at a price, but laser cleaning changes that: it is a cost-effective solution that reduces downtime and maintenance.

Here’s a summary of the benefits of laser cleaning compared to other cleaning methods:

The process is ideal for local cleaning and de-coating within a well-defined area.

No drying is required because there is no fluid or detergent involved.

Automating and integrating the equipment into manufacturing lines is easy. Depending on software complexity, training to use laser cleaning machines can take as little as a day or two.

Little maintenance is required. Visual inspection and checking for dust and debris are the primary maintenance methods required to keep these machines operating smoothly.

Low energy usage makes the process economical in the long run. In comparison to a traditional washing machine, laser cleaning machines occupy less space on the shop floor, and the energy consumption can be as low as a few kilowatt-hours.

Environmental and safety issues always accompany laser ablation, as lasers vaporize materials into fumes. In the case of an oxidized metal surface, for example, the oxide particles detach from the surface and create a highly compressed plasma (ionized gas out of equilibrium), which expands and creates a shock wave that then fragments and ejects the layer of pollutant into the atmosphere. For this reason, a fume extraction system is always needed near a laser cleaning system.