Laser cleaning

Manufacturers in the aerospace industry use laser cleaning to remove layers from metal and composite surfaces in preparation for processing, remove coatings or corrosion, and remove paint from large components or entire aircraft before repainting.

During the cleaning process, the laser is absorbed and evaporated by the metal surface, thereby achieving ablation of the surface material, with almost no impact on the inner layer material and no incidental thermal damage to the components. Kilopower level pulsed fiber lasers are particularly suitable for rapid laser cleaning - they can clean various materials including ceramics, composites, metals and plastics with high efficiency and precision.

In recent years, the use of composite materials in aircraft has increased, leading to an increasing demand for connecting metals to composite materials. In aerospace manufacturing, adhesives can be used to connect these two different materials. In order to establish a strong bond, careful preparation of the processing of the two surfaces is necessary before using the adhesive.

Laser cleaning is an ideal solution as it can achieve highly controlled and replicable surface effects, achieving consistent and predictable adhesion. Traditionally, this will be achieved through destructive blasting techniques or the application of several chemicals. However, laser cleaning now provides a one-step method that is not only more cost-effective and productive, but also has a smaller impact on the environment because toxic chemicals or blasting materials are not required. The impact of laser cleaning on components is also much milder than traditional methods.

When it comes to paint stripping, laser cleaning of metal and composite aircraft components is also more advantageous than chemical stripping or blasting techniques. During its lifespan, an aircraft may be repainted 4-5 times, and using traditional techniques may take a week or more to remove paint from the entire aircraft. By contrast, depending on the size of the aircraft, laser cleaning can shorten this time to 3-4 days and also make it easier for workers to come into contact with parts. In addition, when used for paint removal rather than chemical stripping or blasting, laser cleaning can save significant costs - thousands of pounds per aircraft can be saved because hazardous waste is reduced by about 90% or more, reducing material handling requirements.

Laser shot peening/laser shock strengthening

The internal stress of metal components may lead to metal fatigue failure of aircraft components (such as fan blades in jet engines), which may cause damage or injury. This can be alleviated through a technology called laser peening.

During this process, laser pulses are directed to a high stress concentration area, and each pulse ignites a small plasma explosion between the surface of the component and the water layer sprayed on top. The water layer limits the explosion, which causes shock waves to penetrate the component and generate compressive residual stress as their propagation area expands. These stresses offset cracking and other forms of metal fatigue. Compared with traditional processes, laser strengthening can extend the service life of metal parts by 10-15 times.

The application of laser shot peening in the aerospace industry is becoming increasingly widespread. For example, LSP Technologies and Airbus have jointly developed a portable laser strengthening system, which has recently been tested and evaluated at Airbus' maintenance and repair facility in Toulouse, France.

The Leopard laser shot peening system will extend fatigue life by suppressing the occurrence and propagation of cracks caused by cyclic vibration stress. The flexibility of fiber optic beam transmission and customized tools enable the system to irradiate areas that are difficult for aircraft to reach with lasers. According to the partners, this system is a breakthrough in laser strengthening technology that will advance its use, including extending the lifespan of jet engine blades, and so on.

The eastern part of the Naval fleet Preparation Center (FRCE) also recently completed the verification of the laser shock strengthening process, which has been successfully used in the F-35B Lightning II aircraft. FRCE uses this process to strengthen the framework of the F-35B Lightning II without adding any additional materials or weight, otherwise it will limit its fuel or weapon carrying capacity. This will help extend the life expectancy of the Fifth-generation fighter, which is a short takeoff and landing type used by the United States Marine Corps.

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.