Automated Laser Cleaning on a Large Scale

Automated Laser Cleaning for Large Parts & Components

Manufacturers are increasingly turning to automated laser cleaning for large scale applications such as cleaning aerospace composite mould tools or surface activation and bonding pre-treatment of components. Robotic or gantry integrated laser systems offer an array of benefits for cleaning sizeable structures that surpass traditional cleaning methods like sandblasting and dry ice blasting.

Benefits of Automation for Large Scale Laser Cleaning

Speed and Precision

Automated systems can deliver higher cleaning throughput rates than manual laser cleaning and other traditional methods. Integration with a robot or gantry, delivers the level of control, speed and process consistency that manufacturers demand.

The rates vary depending on the part being cleaned and the contaminants being removed. For instance, below are the manual and automated rates for cleanLASER systems when removing dark mould release agent residue after thermal processing:

In the nuclear industry, where laser cleaning offers a media free method for decontamination, the CL1000 and CL 2000 systems can achieve up to 10m²/h cleaning speed. Even for structures that have spans of several tens of metres, lasers can deliver a level of cleaning precision below one millimetre.

Consistency and Scale

Automated laser cleaning offers consistency in speed and power output over a large surface area where human operation of the laser or the use of traditional media blasting methods lead to more variability in the quality of the clean. Additionally, manual operation is limited by operator fatigue where robotic systems can operate continuously delivering exceptional throughput time until the cleaning task is completed.

Safety and Simplicity

Robotic and gantry systems remove the inherent dangers of human operation, especially in difficult to reach and hazardous areas. Automated laser cleaners allow manufacturers to meet safety regulations and document all activity within the cell via data logs with remote access. At Loop Technology, we provide a Class 4 Laser-safe modular guarding system that can be tailored to suit the required size of the cell. Additionally, robotic laser cleaning is comparatively quiet and the waste is extracted during the cleaning process ensuring there is no messy clean up. It consumes 80-85% less energy than typical abrasive cleaning methods, has a low cost of ownership and uses no harmful chemicals.

Flexibility and Range

Robotic and gantry laser cleaning systems are flexible enough to decontaminate very large parts and components with complex surface profiles. They are bolstered by 2D optics that enable the user to process precise areas and shapes for highly efficient cleaning. The automation is scalable. Multiple laser units can be integrated into a single piece of automation, bypassing the labour shortage and cost issues that are often encountered when trying to scale up operations of manual cleaning processes. Moreover, there is an increasingly wide range of applications this cutting-edge cleaning method is used on, from post-welding oxide and grease removal on big parts to accurate paint removal in the MRO (maintenance, repair and operations) field.