Laser cleaning is a reliable, safe and fast technology for cleaning surfaces. Using this technology, you can easily remove rust, layers of paint, varnish and other coatings or deposits, degrease surfaces, and clean off the effects of oxidation or dust deposits. Since no foreign substances are used when cleaning surfaces, this process does not harm the environment and the user of the equipment. Due to the durability and reliability of the equipment, as well as low energy consumption, laser cleaning has become a widely used method in industry.
Areas of use:
- Cleaning plastic and rubber molds
- Removing layers of rust and paint
- Degreasing of surfaces in the food industry
- Degreasing metal surfaces before welding
- Cleaning weld seams and surfaces damaged by welding
- Removal of varnish, polyamide and other coatings
- Restoration of buildings, bridges, sculptures and even paintings
- Soot removal
- Neutralization of radioactive surfaces
- Removing insulation from wires
Equipment capabilities:
Laser cleaning
| Laser cleaning of welds Laser cleaning of complex parts |
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TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICSTurboClean laser cleaning system
Do you have questions about the operation of the equipment and its delivery? We will answer all your questions about laser cleaning technology for metal surfaces. Contact our specialists by phone: (812) 326-7892, 332-0659 or 8-800-5555-620 (toll-free within Russia).
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Advantages
- Non-contact technology - the material being cleaned is not subjected to mechanical, thermal or chemical influence, therefore its structure and surface are preserved, therefore this method is suitable for working with very thin or fragile materials.
- Dry cleaning – unlike sand or dry ice cleaning processes, laser cleaning does not use expensive and hazardous materials, toxic chemicals, or generate large amounts of waste and dust.
- Precision – clearly defined and variable cleaning line length allows this technology to be used where high precision is required.
- Reliability – the laser cleaning system was created in Lithuania, has a service life of more than 90,000 hours, and the system is adapted for use in industry.
- Cleaning speed – depending on the application and power of the system, you can reach up to 10! times faster cleaning speed compared to standard surface cleaning methods.
- Quick setup - the system is fully ready for use in less than 5 minutes.
- Safety - Only safety glasses are required to operate the system, and a respirator is recommended.
- Compact and transportable system - the equipment can be easily moved indoors or even carried as a backpack.
- Quickly pays off investment - equipment operation does not require replenishment of materials, expensive and complex protective equipment is not needed. In most cases, laser cleaning equipment pays for itself within one year.
- Low operating cost - depending on the model, laser cleaning equipment consumes only 1–5 kW of electricity.
- Cleanliness – the systems we offer do not pollute the environment and have high efficiency.
The technology of such a procedure
To remove rust stains with a laser, you need specific equipment that keeps a strong beam of light in focus.
This device works based on the ability of metal to display laser radiation, but complex substances absorb it.
As a result, a layer of rust, which consists of a mixture of iron oxides and dirt, accumulates energy, heats up and falls off from the base.
If the laser device is powerful, then the rust melts and disappears.
Laser ablation
Typically, such rust removal is done through ablation - this is pulsed radiation that ensures the disappearance of the oxide film.
The film seems to peel off above the base like a cloud of plasma, then dissolves.
Ablation occurs at the boundary of two phases: in the form of gas and condensate - and begins to occur due to different temperatures (the device can heat the surface to +16500°).
Procedure for operating the equipment:
- Diagnostics. The laser calculates at what depth to work using a short pulse that comes out of the head.
- Main stage. The power is automatically determined and the rust layer is completely removed.
Desorption
This is a gentle effect on rust by a photon beam, thus resulting in a detachment of the top layer in the form of scales. Such equipment has low power; it heats without phase changes.
To obtain the desired result, if the thickness of the oxide film is up to 75 microns, the heat energy density must be from 106 W/sq. cm, and the diameter of the photon launch is no more than 100 m.
In addition to heating, you can speed up the result using the impact force of the released light.
Desorption works very carefully with metal, so it is used for: decorative finishing, corrugated surfaces, grooves, holes, parts with a complex structure.
How it works?
Very short nanosecond pulses of 100,000 W are directed into the layer being cleaned, where they are absorbed. The energy absorbed by contaminants causes them to instantly disintegrate, some of which evaporate, turn into dust, or break down at the atomic level. Remains of decomposed substances can be removed by an air filtration system or scrubbed. This process is repeated until the desired depth of damage to the layer is achieved or until it is removed. The wavelength of the laser offered by Optola is best absorbed by oxides and organic substances such as rubber, paints, insulation, varnish, soot, etc.
What laser models are available?
The most popular on the market are devices from Clean Laser (Germany), which produces a large line of laser equipment. The most popular is the compact “backpack” laser, consisting of 3 separate modules connected by a fiber optic cable:
- backpack with power source;
- laser head;
- video surveillance device.
When the unit is turned on, the surface is scanned, the depth of the rust is determined, and only then a laser beam of full power is directed to the area of contamination. The remains of destroyed rust elements that have become detached from the metal are taken into a special container. The process ends automatically when the surface of the product becomes completely free and the light stream directed at it is reflected.
Small, low-power battery devices are very popular among archaeologists and antique lovers, as they can remove stains even from delicate, valuable items. Medium-sized units with a power of up to 400 W look like compressors and are usually used in auto repair shops and small industries. Large, powerful installations are large-scale and cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Chinese lasers
Products made in China are also in demand on the market, because their price is usually cheaper than that of European installations. For example, the LY CL 100 device is used to clean rust from metal products, has a power of 100 W, and is operated without changing the head for 50,000 hours. Here are other characteristics of the device:
- repetition frequency – 1.2-25 KHz;
- operating speed – 7000 mm/sec;
- linear speed – 70 m/min;
- wavelength – 1064 Nm;
- installation weight – 70 kg.
Such mobile devices can be used to clean a car body, remove paint, or strip rusty areas. The use of a laser is considered an effective and safe way to update parts, helps extend their life and seriously saves on the purchase of new ones.
Solutions
Easily transportable systems
Transportable systems consist of a laser light source, an optical cable of the desired length (up to 40 meters) and a laser gun. We offer systems with a power of 20 – 1000 W. Depending on the model, such laser systems are used both for precision processing of small-area surfaces and for large-area material surfaces. We offer backpack-type laser cleaning systems whose light weight (<18 kg) and easy operation allow you to work in hard-to-reach places.
Manufacturing Integrated Systems
Compact stationary solid-state and fiber Nd:YAG lasers designed for conveyor laser cleaning. This type of system is optimized for maximum efficiency and fastest return on investment in an automated production process.
Solutions for automated and robotic systems
Fully automated laser cleaning systems optimize operations through impeccable precision and efficiency. We offer complete project development from adaptation of the laser cleaning system in accordance with your tasks to commissioning and guarantee comprehensive maintenance and support of the system.
Equipment
A wide variety of equipment is available for sale.
In some cases, a video surveillance device is included in the delivery package, which allows you to remotely monitor the process.
Laser
The laser installation operates as follows:
- When the device is turned on, it scans the surface to check for rust spots. At the same time, modern technologies make it possible to determine the depth and nature of the damage. Testing is carried out by a low-power laser beam.
- After testing of the product has been stopped, the device itself selects the beam power. In addition, this parameter can be configured manually. This indicator should be enough for the rust to evaporate.
Modern equipment is capable of automatically determining the complete purification of metal from various contaminants, and then stopping the processing process. The power of the installation can vary over a wide range, for example, for inexpensive installations the indicator is 12-20 W. Powerful models for professional use have a power rating of about 1000 W.
Features of laser cleaning systems:
- Fast laser cleaning speed - up to 5 min/m2 (full pulse overlap)
- Pulse frequency from 25 kHz to 500 kHz
- Always ready, just plug and play
- The most compact and efficient systems: Dimensions 485x390x180 mm, weight 18 kg
- Quality: Guarantee period 2 goals, with the possibility of extension up to 3 years
- Service life: more than 90,000 hours;
- Readiness: 24/7
- Cooling method: air (up to 300 W)
- All systems include professional Class 4 laser safety and operational training
- Optola uses Galvano-scanner technology, which allows you to achieve up to 10 m2/h cleaning speed depending on the material being cleaned
All systems are equipped with accessories necessary for operation:
Standard 5m fiber optic cable, 2m power cable (can be customized). Accessory kit includes: 2 pcs. eye protection, 2 pcs. respirators, IR detector, lens cleaning kit.
