Laser Cleaning Application

Time: May 24, 2024 Author: Sintec Optronics View: 1701

What is Laser Cleaning?

Laser cleaning is the process of removing materials from surfaces using a laser beam.

When the laser beam contacts a surface, light is absorbed by the surface. When the ablation threshold is hit, molecular bonds in the surface are broken and ejected from the substrate (“vaporized”).

Features of Laser Cleaning

1. Non-contact cleaning, little damage to the base substrate layer.

2. Precise cleaning: Able to clean specific areas using pre-defined beam parameters.

3. Selective cleaning: Able to remove different types of materials individually, based on the ablation threshold.

4. High cleaning efficiency.

5. Stable and compact design, with minimal maintenance efforts.

6. Easy to operate: Can be used by operator or integrated with a robotic arm for automated cleaning.

7. No need to use chemicals, waters or other cleaning mediums. No consumables, safe and environmentally-friendly.

Comparisons of Cleaning Methods

	Laser Cleaning	Chemical Cleaning	Mechanical Grinding	Dry Ice Cleaning
Cleaning Method	Non-contact cleaning	Contact cleaning using chemicals	Abrasive contact cleaning	Non-contact cleaning
Damage to Base Material	Low	Yes	Yes	Low
Cleaning Outcome	Good, consistent	Medium, uneven	Medium, uneven	Good, uneven
Cleaning Efficiency	High, selective cleaning possible	Low	Low	Medium
Cleaning Precision	High, controllable	Medium	Low to medium, difficult to control	Low, difficult to control
Consumables	Power	Chemicals	Abrasive paper, sand, etc.	Dry ice
Environmental Impact	Low	Chemical pollution	Dust pollution	Low
Ease of Operation	Easy, either using operator or robotic arm	Medium, require manpower.	Medium, require manpower	Easy, either using operator or robotic arm
Ownership and Operating Costs	High upfront investment. Low operating costs with little consumables and maintenance efforts.	Low upfront investment. High operating costs with expensive consumables.	Low upfront investment. High operating costs with expensive consumables.	Medium upfront investment. High operating costs with expensive consumables.