All about laser cleaning of metal

Metal is a common material for making a wide variety of structures. It has many advantages, but the main disadvantage is corrosion, which spoils any product. To remove rust, there is special equipment designed for cleaning work. One of such devices is a laser installation, which has its own characteristics and advantages.

Rust appears over time on almost any metal structures and products that are exposed to moisture and do not have a special anti-corrosion coating. However, you can cope with this problem yourself using a laser installation.

To remove rust from the surface of a metal product, it is necessary to use special equipment with a laser radiation source. If there is no rust on the structure, the rays will reflect without problems. The principle of operation of the unit is to direct the laser to the damaged part, which accumulates energy and, when heated, moves away from the base. Rust can melt and sometimes even evaporate.

Laser cleaning of metal is quite popular, as it has a lot of advantages. You can find a compact unit that can be used for domestic purposes - it does its job perfectly. It is important to note that this method is not dangerous and does not harm the environment. No toxic substances will be released during metal corrosion removal.

A big plus is the speed with which a positive result becomes visible. The equipment for this procedure does not make noise, moreover, everyone can cope with its control. It should be noted that any surface is suitable for processing.

To operate the equipment, you will need a one-time investment, after which you will not need to purchase consumables, so we can say with confidence that this purchase will be a profitable solution. Even the weakest unit is capable of operating up to 50 thousand hours, and this is an impressive period. Rust is removed evenly, so the surface of the metal product will remain intact. All the listed advantages can easily explain the demand for this equipment. The device that removes corrosion will extend the service life of structures made of different types of metal.

Micro-exploitation should be noted, which consists in working with small parts and various circuits, terminals and connectors. This laser can clean wires, solder connections and make cuts on boards, which confirms the versatility and effectiveness of this method.

Besides thanks to the high precision, the layer of insulating material can be removed without damaging the base.

Large industrial enterprises have long used professional equipment for the processing of various metal surfaces., whether it's the oil refining, automotive or aerospace industries.

There is a wide range of devices on the market for removing rust from metal surfaces. Laser cleaning devices are divided into several varieties, each tool has its own characteristics and advantages. To choose a cleaner, you must carefully study the characteristics of each subspecies, weigh the pros and cons. There are several types of laser systems depending on the size and power.

Medium-sized units support 100-400 watts. But large products are suitable for cleaning from rust with an indicator of up to 1000 W.

The most convenient model is considered to be a satchel device, which is presented in a compact size and light weight. Thanks to this unit, you can handle objects in an industrial plant and in a home workshop.

If a device with a higher power is required, it is better to purchase an installation that has a built-in filtration system. A Chinese-made cleaner is in great demand, as it is quite convenient, inexpensive and does an excellent job of removing rust from any surface. Equipment made in China refers to mobile devices that are easy to transport and carry from one place to another.

German-made sandblasting attracts large enterprises, since the range of such equipment is quite wide. But they cannot be used on delicate surfaces. A backpack laser can be found here, which includes three types of modules - power supply, laser head and observation device. When the unit is turned on, the surface is scanned, then the unit detects the depth of corrosion and only then starts to process the areas destroyed by rust.

To get a positive result, it is necessary not only to have a high-quality laser cleaner available, but also to become familiar with the technology of work. The principle of operation of the device is to focus a powerful stream of light on the affected area. Depending on the power of the equipment, rust can not only fall off, but also melt, after which it evaporates. Consider two technologies for cleaning metal from corrosion, which are the most effective.

We are talking about pulsed radiation, which leads to the evaporation of the oxide film. Under the influence of the laser, the upper layer will rise above the surface, transforming into a plasma cloud, which then dissolves. The ablation process takes place between the gaseous and condensed phases using sharp temperature changes. Such equipment can heat metal up to 17,000 degrees Celsius.

First, the equipment scans the surface to determine the depth of subsequent cleaning. The main stage of work is to remove rust with the selected power in automatic mode.

This method is no less popular, but it is more gentle. The main task of such equipment is to gently affect the rust with photons, which lead to the separation of the surface layer, which has become scaly. Such installations have low power, so they heat up the metal without transforming the affected areas.It is worth noting that after warming up, the result will be noticeable in a short time due to the impact force of the emitted laser beam.

Working with the laser system must be carried out according to strict rules and in compliance with safety measures. That's why first, you need to familiarize yourself with the basic recommendations, after which you can start operating the equipment. Since we are talking about a laser that has a high directivity and monochromatic radiation, you need to be careful when working with it. Any installation must be grounded.

It is only possible to start working with the machine after the operator has been equipped with protective equipment. The infrared range should be 1064 nm.

Before starting the equipment, it is necessary to test and configure it. It is extremely important to study the instructions for use, since products from different manufacturers may differ slightly in characteristics and control methods.

Due to the variety of unit capacities, it is possible to work with products of any size, be it jewelry or car bodies. A number of distinctive characteristics and advantages set the laser unit apart from other rust cleaning products. Therefore, all that remains is to choose the right equipment, observe safety precautions and enjoy the result of the operation of this equipment.