The application of laser cleaning, and coating removal is rapidly expanding. Depending on the application, the pulse frequency, energy, and wavelength of the laser must be accurately selected to clean, polish, and ablate the target material. At the same time, it is necessary to prevent any form of damage to the substrate material.
 

Preparation for brazing and welding

Laser cleaning has also been proven effective in the pre-treatment applications of laser welding and brazing. In shipbuilding, precision tool manufacturing, automotive, and other related industries, the surface of aluminum and steel must be treated before welding.

Laser welding preparation is one of the numerous applications of laser cleaning, which helps to remove black and non-ferrous metals, lubricants, and other pollutants from metal and aluminum surfaces, preparing for high-quality welding. It also ensures smooth and non porous brazing welds.

When used for pre-treatment in welding and brazing, laser cleaning performs the following operations:

1. Thoroughly remove workshop primer, hydrate, and oxide layer

2. Remove grease and oil stains

In addition to welding and brazing preparation, lasers can also be used to remove welding residues, such as residual flux and oxide materials, as well as heat stains on completed welded joints.

The benefits of using laser cleaning in welding and brazing pre-treatment include:

1. wavelength and power adjustable for precise processing of joint surfaces within various material thickness ranges

2. pairs of base materials (i.e. galvanized layer of steel plate) without damage

Local removal of coating

Laser cleaning is particularly effective in applications that require partial removal of paint or coatings from the surface. It can be used for almost all surface types, whether it is a chemical anodized layer, oxide layer, or organic coating. Laser cleaning can remove coatings and paints while maintaining the integrity of substrate materials in the automotive and aerospace industry.

In the application of removing coatings, fiber lasers are the preferred choice. They overcome some inherent challenges faced in local coating removal applications in the past by accurately removing coatings from designated areas.

Laser can be used for:

1. Accurate treatment of functional and design surfaces

2 Create Faraday cage and continuous contact for aerospace industry

3 Remove paint locally for electromagnetic compatibility

4. Provide junction points for wire connections

Strip coatings in the electronics and automotive industries

Laser cleaning is very effective when critical welds on painted structures/parts must have their coatings removed for inspection purposes. Laser can remove coatings without the need for manual or electric tools, abrasives, or chemicals, which can hide problem areas and cause further damage to the surface.

Selective paint removal

Selective paint removal is one of the numerous applications of laser cleaning. In the automotive and space industry, it is sometimes necessary to remove the top layer of paint while protecting the primer. Normally, the top weathered coating on vehicles needs to be thoroughly removed before applying new paint.

Due to the different physical and chemical properties of the topmost paint from the primer, the power and frequency of the laser can be set to only remove the topmost paint.

Due to the lack of mechanical, chemical, or thermal effects of laser on the primer, it remains intact. This ensures the corrosion resistance of the primer. When it is necessary to expose metal between parts and achieve electrical contact between metals, it is best to use laser cleaning technology because it can save time and materials, and improve the surface quality of the finished product.

Currently, laser cleaning technology is mainly used to clean small parts. Of course, this technology is highly likely to be suitable for cleaning large surfaces and large equipment/structures. With the current progress in this field, these visions are expected to become a reality in the near future.
 

About HGTECH

HGTECH is the pioneer and leader of laser industrial application in China, and the authoritative provider of global laser processing solutions. We comprehensively layout the construction of laser intelligent equipment, measurement and automation production lines, and smart factories to provide an overall solution for intelligent manufacturing.

We deeply grasp the development trend of manufacturing industry, constantly enrich products and solutions, adhere to exploring the integration of automation, informatization, intelligence and manufacturing industry, and provide various industries with laser cutting systems, laser welding systems, laser marking series, laser texturing complete equipment, laser heat treatment systems, laser drilling machines, lasers and various supporting devices The overall plan for the construction of special laser processing equipment and plasma cutting equipment, as well as automatic production lines and smart factories.