How it works
Laser cleaning is ablation: light energy takes the contaminant off and the metal stays. Here is what that means on a real job.
The method in four moves
A pulse hits the surface
A focused laser beam is swept across the part. The contaminant layer absorbs the energy far more readily than the metal underneath.
The contaminant is ablated
Rust, paint or residue is vaporized or lifted off as fine particulate. Because the base metal reflects most of the energy, it is left in place.
Extraction captures it
Fume extraction and filtration collect what comes off. There is no spent blast media or chemical to haul away.
You inspect the surface
We clean to the finish agreed on the test patch. You inspect before we pack up.
What we need to quote
The more of this you can send, the faster and tighter the quote. Photos of the surface and the work area help most.
- The base material and its thickness.
- What is on it, how thick, and whether it contains lead or chromate.
- The finish or standard you need, for example the surface preparation grade your coating supplier specifies.
- How much area, how it is accessed, and whether the work is on-site or in-shop.
- When it needs to be done, and any limits on noise, fumes, power or working hours.
Safety, stated plainly
Industrial cleaning lasers are high-power equipment. A job runs inside a controlled area, everyone in it wears eyewear rated for the laser, and fumes are extracted at the source.
If the coating may contain lead, chromate or other hazardous material, tell us at the start. It changes how the work is contained and how the residue is handled, and the plan and the quote change with it.
Bare metal re-oxidizes. After cleaning, we tell you how soon the surface should be coated or protected for your conditions.
Start with a test patch.
Tell us about the surface and we will scope a test patch, so you see the result before you commit.