SLTL: A Complete Guide on Laser Cleaning Applications

A TRADITION OF LIGHTNING-FAST GLARE

The new era of technology is driven by innovative engineering solutions and with lightning speed, lasers are leading the game. Lasers have invaded almost all strata of industry. One of the amazing creations of lasers is laser cleaning technology. Laser cleaning refers to the removal of contaminants and impurities from the surface of metals. There are various methods used for surface cleaning in many industries around the world. So, here comes the method having new sets of advantages and is very efficient on its own, referred to as Laser Cleaning.

Laser cleaning also known as ablating nowadays is catching the attention of the laser industry. The process in which the beam hits the coating, the molecular bond in dust or rust layer are broken and are ejected from the substrate is quoted as ‘Laser Ablation’. To summarise, it can be said that the layer to be removed is simply vaporized by a laser beam removing material from the substrate.

A laser removes the upper layer of the substrate using laser irradiation. In this, a high-powered laser pulse is aimed at the surface to be cleaned and the removed material is vaporized. This is repeated till the required clean depth has been achieved.

THE PROCESS

Laser Cleaning has two cleaning processes, In First Process, the layers to be removed have chemical and physical composition, significantly different from the surface of the substrate. For Example paint, rubber coating, and insulation. In Second Process, the impurities or contaminates to be removed are deeply embedded with the surface of a material which can be cleaned by physically removing the entire upper layer by laser cleaning machine. This is done by laser surface decontamination. For example, Laser Scrabbling is used for the removal of radioactive concrete layers.

Laser cleaning solutions can overcome problems faced with rust removal and other industrial cleaning applications.

Laser for surface cleaning is one of the key applications in the industry. To attain the application with utmost precision and efficiency SLTL Group has introduced the fiber laser cleaner system. This system is used for the surface removal process and is highly capable of removing rust, grease, colour, and other particles from the surface of the metal.

BLAND HISTORIC TECHNIQUES FOR METAL CLEANING

The days when lasers were not the case, people used diverse processes in metal cleaning application, such as in mechanical method; Abrasive blasting, Wire brushing, Tumbling, solvent cleaning, and vapor degreasing, acid, pickling, electrolytic polishing, and alkaline de-rusting, alkaline detergent cleaning, emulsion cleaning and many more.

PITFALLS OF CLASSICAL METHODS FOR METAL CLEANING

The old methods for metal cleaning are harmful which results in environmental pollution and damages substrate metal.

Traditional methods are tedious and time-consuming when it comes to the removal of stubborn contaminants. Sometimes it might be hazardous to use chemical agents as it can create chemical cross-contamination, which can harm workers and consumers. The mechanical method is labor-intensive and the polished parts can be harmful if the person directly encounters it, the mental strength is weakened and some abrasive or contaminants can still be embedded; cannot be removed completely as compared to lasers. The electrolytic method needs extremely high energy and also not good for the environment as the burning of fossil fuels for electricity production can harm the atmosphere with harmful gases and a large number of effluents are produced during the electrolytic method. The chemical method produces inert material like coke that cannot be removed. The chemicals used for the processing is harmful to the human and severe damage can occur if improper procedures are applied. The procedure demands high expertise for handling.

WHAT’S NEW?

Rust cleaning laser systems are creating a new buzz in the town. The innovative technique to remove rust with laser cleaning is becoming a modern wonder in the laser industry. By selecting a specific material to be removed, fiber laser offers a fast, as well as a set-and-forget solution for many industries.

Laser Cleaning- Surface cleaning is one of the key applications in the industry. To attain the application with utmost precision and efficiency SLTL Group has introduced the Fiber Laser Cleaning System. This system is used for the surface removal process and is highly capable of removing rust, grease, colour, and other particles from the surface of the metal.

WHY LASER CLEANING IS A SMART CHOICE?

The laser cleaning solution is the most feasible way for surface cleaning. Laser Cleaning is considered to be environmentally friendly as there is no use of chemical agents and cleaning fluids as in traditional methods. The traditional Cleaning method is contact type which can damage objects, resulting in improper cleaning while laser cleaning is the non-contact solution. Moreover, the laser can reach difficult parts which are not possible with traditional methods. So, the laser can ensure the safety of the personnel when used in dangerous places. Also, laser Cleaning removes various impurities on the surface achieving a degree of cleanliness that cannot be achieved by the traditional method. Surely, Laser cleaning is an alternative to the traditional abrasive and chemical processes used in heavy industries such as aerospace and shipbuilding. The process can be made cost-effective in coating removal by the use of a laser solution. Hence choosing laser cleaning is a smart choice.

BEFITTING MATERIALS LIKE A PRO

Laser cleaning can work flawlessly on Aluminium (anodized/polished/cast), Stainless steel/mild steel, Titanium, Copper, Brass, Nickel, Galvanized Metals, Painted metal alloys, Multi-coated Metal Materials, Cast iron and chrome, Carbide, and many more

AMAZING APPLICATION WITH NO SUBSTITUTE

The concept of laser cleaning machine should reach all industries in order to be aware of the elimination of a few chemical processes with the help of lasers, benefitting the industry as well as the environment. Below mentioned are a few applications of our robust solution, roughening of a metal surface to create friction, it can be used for tires, electronics, food, and another mold cleaning. For a rapid cleaning of nuclear power components. Laser cleaners are used for oxide Treatment in Ship Production or Maintenance. The flexibility of laser cleaners facilitates to clean and condition of a 3D Surface. The versatile laser cleaning can be used for metal surface texturing and modification. Laser cleaners are used for joining pre-treatment Cleaning, and ablation for anodized painted or coated surfaces. Laser cleaners can do paint stripping and removal of paint with ease.

It removes an extremely fine top layer of the material to remove rust and corrosion from metal. Laser cleaners can remove oil stains and are used for contaminant cleaning and metal mold residue cleaning and metal degreasing prior to joining, soldering, or welding. The powerful lasers are used for stone figure surface dust & attachment cleaning.

WHERE DOES THE LASER CLEANING SYSTEM WORK?

The functions of laser cleaning are tremendous. It is a useful technique for different strata of industry. Whether it is pre-welding metal cleaning or de-painting. Laser cleaning machine is widely used for different purposes, that is:

1. Pre-Welding Metal Cleaning
   Efficient pre-welding treatment or material preparation, which may include laser rust removal, e-coating contamination, or treatment of other selective layers.
2. Post-Welding Cleaning in Preparation for Coating
   Easy removal of the rough and charred post-welding area to securely adhere paint or coating to the welded material in preparation for coatings.
3. Ship Maintenance Interior and Exterior
   Maintenance repairs for engines, small boats, critical components, door hinges, door locks, and latches. Removal of saltwater stains and more to prevent corrosion, maintain functionality, avoid premature failures, and prevent further deterioration and damage.
4. Assembled Component Maintenance Clean-ups and Reconditioning
   Smoothing of surfaces and removal of scaling from engines, generators, anchoring chains, winches, gear shifting components, throttle components, fuel pumps, and water separators, without disassembly.
5.  Parts Identification Engraving for Maintenance or Inventory Management
   Marking and engraving of individual parts without human evaluation of conditions.
6. Non-Erasable Service and Quality Marks 
7. Can be used for weld quality control, repair work, and more on newly welded piping, high-pressure fuel pipes, balance tanks, pressurized compartments, water pipes, and high-pressure vapor pipes.
8. Selective De- painting
   Selective cleaning on access points, service latches, and more.

FASCINATING FEATURES:

• Portability Redefined: Laser Cleaning System is a handheld, compact size device that allows it to operate on large and complex material surfaces with ease.
• Power-Packed System: The system delivers enough power to remove even the thicker layers of particles from the surface.
• No Complex Software: Laser Cleaning Systems comes in with easy to use control panel. Allowing users to make necessary variations without hustling with the complexities of software.
• No medium used: The only consumption required in the machine is Electricity which again depends upon the samples you want to process.
• Environment friendly: Eliminating usage of various chemicals to laser technology, along with minimal noise and dust emission the laser cleaning operation is highly environment friendly.
• Varied applications: Laser Surface Cleaning can be used in almost every sector i.e. from micro-scale to large-scale cleaning of the material. Its application ranges from large commercial aircraft to micro-chips.
• It also plays an important role in fields like automobile manufacturing, military equipment, liquid crystal display cleaning, chewing gum residue removal, and other related fields.
• Time-saving: Cleaning is precise and Selective i.e. the desired area can be cleaned in lesser time making the output highly efficient.

FEW OF THE INDUSTRIES MAKING THE MOST OF LASER CLEANING SOLUTIONS:

The laser surface preparation of metallic surfaces in the automotive industry is a unique method to support adhesive bonding that cleans with unmatched quality, repeatability, and reliability to ensure long-term adhesion performance and excellent electrical connectivity. The powerful laser cleaning is also used in the aerospace industry for Bonding Preparation, Coating Removal, Composite lay-up tool cleaning, Partial, precise paint stripping for repair purposes.

For painting rollers, it is used in the cleaning of printing machine cylinders and ink rollers (steel and ceramic rollers, but also a calendar and transport rollers) and Cleaning of anilox rollers for the transfer of adhesives for the production of pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes.

Laser cleaning has a vital role in medical technology for the residue-free pre-treatment of stainless steel components with safe aging resistance to hot steam sterilization.

Lasers are also used in the mechanical industry, nuclear decontamination, electronics industry, rubber and tire industry, machining of CFRP materials in the aerospace industry, cleaning of metallic tools and molds for the manufacturing processes of many metal components.

Laser cleaning is used in military and defense in coating removal of weapons, corrosion control, hazardous paint removal, nuclear decontamination, etc.

SLTL’s Laser cleaning system helps to clear the metal surface of any kind. The high-power laser beam technology removes unwanted material without affecting the base material. Without exposing any harmful gases, this fiber laser cleaning technology is safe for the environment as well as humankind. The process of cleaning does not require high expertise which makes the device easy to operate by anyone. The handheld system makes the device mobile and convenient to port to any surface. The machine is designed to clean at any angle and uneven surfaces with ease. Get rid of rust, grease, paint stains, oxidation area of any kind instantly with an SLTL Group’s smart solution.