There are various cleaning methods in the cleaning industry, most of which use chemical agents and mechanical methods for cleaning. Chemical cleaning often still has residues, and the types of chemicals that can be used in industrial production cleaning will become less and less. How to find a cleaner and non-destructive cleaning method is a problem we have to consider. Laser cleaning has the characteristics of non-grinding, non-contact, no thermal effect and is suitable for objects of various materials. Laser cleaning can solve problems that cannot be solved by traditional cleaning methods.Here are some things you need to know about laser cleaning.
What types of laser are used for cleaning?
The most common type of laser used for cleaning is the nanosecond-pulsed fibre laser, which operates in the near-infrared wavelength. These lasers can be delivered through an optical fibre, allowing for integration into a wide range of systems, from handheld devices to remote, robot-controlled solutions. The short pulse duration of the laser minimizes the heat impact on the material being cleaned, and the repetition rate and power can be adjusted to achieve faster processing speeds. Laser systems with powers ranging from tens of watts to multiple kilowatts are now available, with handheld devices available up to 3kW. While less commonly used for cleaning, direct-diode lasers, excimer lasers, CO2 lasers, continuous-wave lasers, and ultrashort-pulse lasers can also be used for this purpose.
How does laser cleaning machine work?
Laser cleaning works by using a high-intensity laser beam to heat and vaporize the contaminants on the surface of a material. The laser beam interacts with the contaminants on the surface of the material, causing them to heat up and vaporize. As the contaminants are vaporized, they are removed from the surface of the material. The vaporized contaminants are collected by a ventilation system and disposed of properly. Once the cleaning process is complete, the surface of the material is inspected to ensure that all contaminants have been removed. If necessary, the process can be repeated to achieve a more thorough cleaning.Laser cleaning is a precise and controlled process that can be used to selectively remove contaminants from specific areas of a material without damaging the surface.
Applications:Laser cleaning is a versatile and effective cleaning method that can be used in a wide range of industries and applications.
Industrial cleaning: Laser cleaning is commonly used in industrial settings to clean metal surfaces, such as machinery, tools, and equipment.When there are sub-micron pollution particles on the surface of the workpiece, these particles are often sticky and cannot be removed by conventional cleaning methods, but cleaning the surface of the workpiece with laser radiation is very effective. It can remove rust, paint, oil, grease, and other contaminants from metal surfaces without damaging the underlying material.
Conservation and restoration: Laser cleaning is also used in the conservation and restoration of historical artifacts, sculptures, and monuments. It can remove dirt, grime, and other contaminants from the surface of delicate materials such as stone, marble, and bronze, without damaging the original surface.
Aerospace and aviation: Laser cleaning is used in the aerospace and aviation industries to clean engine parts, turbine blades, and other components. It can remove carbon deposits and other contaminants from these parts, improving their performance and efficiency.
Medical equipment: Laser cleaning is used to clean medical equipment, such as surgical instruments, dental tools, and implants. It can remove bacteria, blood, and other contaminants from these instruments, reducing the risk of infection.
Electronics: Laser cleaning is used in the electronics industry to clean printed circuit boards, connectors, and other components. It can remove flux, solder, and other contaminants from these components, improving their performance and reliability.
Advantages:There are several advantages of laser cleaning over traditional cleaning methods.
- Non-contact cleaning: Laser cleaning is a non-contact cleaning process, which means that it does not require any physical contact with the material being cleaned. This eliminates the risk of damage to the material, making it a safer and more effective cleaning method.
- Precise and controlled cleaning: Laser cleaning is a precise and controlled cleaning method that can be used to selectively remove contaminants from specific areas of a material without damaging the underlying surface. This makes it ideal for cleaning intricate or delicate materials.
- Environmentally friendly: Laser cleaning is an environmentally friendly cleaning method because it does not use any chemicals or solvents. This eliminates the need for hazardous waste disposal and reduces the environmental impact of the cleaning process.
- Cost-effective: Laser cleaning can be more cost-effective than traditional cleaning methods because it requires less labor and equipment. It can also reduce downtime because it is a faster.
Limitations:Laser cleaning has some limitations.
- High cost: It can be more expensive than traditional cleaning methods, and it can only be used on materials that an withstand the high intensity of the laser beam.
- Safety concerns: Laser cleaning requires the use of high-powered lasers, which can pose safety risks if not used properly. The laser beam can cause eye damage or skin burns if proper safety measures are not taken. Proper training and safety protocols must be followed to ensure safe operation of the laser cleaning machine.
- Limited effectiveness on some materials: Laser cleaning may not be effective on some materials or contaminants. For example, laser cleaning may not be effective on materials that absorb laser light or on contaminants that are not sensitive to laser light.
- Limited accessibility: Laser cleaning machines may not be able to reach all areas of the material being cleaned, which can limit the effectiveness of the cleaning process. This may require additional cleaning methods to be used to ensure that the entire surface is cleaned thoroughly.
