Laser Cleaning is a process that removes scale, oxides, dust and oil from materials. Using a short-pulse laser, the surface is cleaned to the bare metal quickly and with minimal heat affect. It can be an in-line or batch process performed directly prior to a process that requires a clean, bare metal surface.
The advantages are:
* No solvents are used, so it is environmentally friendly and operators are not exposed to chemicals. (assuming nothing harmful is vaporized)
* It is relatively easy to automate, e.g., by using robots.
* The running costs are lower than dry media or Dry-ice blasting, although the capital investment costs are much higher.
* The process is gentler than abrasive techniques, e.g. carbon fibers within a composite material are not damaged.
* Heating of the target is minimal.
Video source for the gif:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKbuRAyKRsU
#engineering #scitech #lasercleaning
I've read about mobile systems like this used for graffiti removal, but have never gotten to see one. Neat thing about ultraviolet lasers specifically is that uv photons have energy similar to electron bonding energy, so they blow stuff off the surface by erasing the bonds nearly heatlessly, rather than melting stuff off, hence the gentle nature of the process.
ReplyDeleteHappy new year Corina Marinescu, thanks for yours ever high level posts
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