As a popular equipment in the field of surface treatment in recent years, laser cleaning technology is being adopted by more and more industries to replace traditional cleaning processes due to its non-contact, no consumables, green and environmentally friendly, high-precision and other characteristics. For equipment manufacturers, system integrators and related supply chain companies, a deep understanding of the specific applications of laser cleaning in various industries will help expand the market and develop targeted product solutions. Below, we analyze the actual implementation cases and value of laser cleaning from six typical application scenarios.
1. Metal rust removal: an efficient tool in the field of heavy industry
Application scenarios: steel structure, hull, bridge maintenance
Traditional rust removal methods (sandblasting, chemical corrosion) have problems such as dust pollution, high operating risks, and corrosion residues. Laser cleaning has the following advantages in rust removal on metal surfaces:
Hull renovation: Laser quickly removes rust and aging paint on the hull surface to avoid chemical residue pollution in the marine environment;
Bridge maintenance: In high-altitude operations, laser equipment can achieve precise rust removal and improve operation safety;
Steel structure cleaning: Do not damage the substrate to avoid structural fatigue or surface stress concentration.
For large industrial maintenance contractors, the high efficiency and environmental protection properties of laser cleaners have become the focus of procurement.
2. Mold cleaning: Improve mold life and product precision
Application scenarios: injection molds, rubber/tire molds
After long-term use, molds will accumulate oil, residual glue, and oxides, affecting the quality of finished products. Laser cleaning has the following significant advantages in such scenarios:
Non-destructive cleaning: No damage to the mold surface coating or precision texture;
In-situ operation: No need to disassemble the mold, saving downtime;
High degree of intelligence: Robots can be integrated to achieve automatic cleaning.
Suppliers can link laser cleaning systems with injection molding machines and calendering production lines to create an integrated cleaning and maintenance solution.
3. Cultural Relic Restoration: Non-contact Cleaning to Protect Cultural Heritage
Application Scenarios: Surface Cleaning of Stone Cultural Relics, Murals, and Bronze Ware
Laser cleaning is highly recognized in the field of cultural relic protection and has the following characteristics:
Precise controllable, no chemical corrosion;
Non-contact operation to avoid mechanical abrasion;
Selective removal: only remove the surface contamination layer without affecting the original appearance of the cultural relic.
In cultural relic protection units, museums and ancient building restoration projects, laser cleaning is becoming the "gentlest" cleaning method. Suppliers can work with cultural heritage protection agencies to develop small precision cleaning devices.
4. Paint Stripping: Used for Surface Renovation and Recoating of High-end Equipment
Application Scenarios: Aerospace Equipment, Rail Transit Maintenance
The aerospace and rail transit industries have extremely high requirements for surface quality, and traditional sandblasting can easily damage metal materials. Laser cleaning can achieve:
Precise paint stripping without damaging the substrate;
Supporting lightweight alloy materials such as aluminum and titanium;
Easy to control the cleaning depth to meet local maintenance needs.
Laser cleaning systems are suitable for mobile or assembly line paint stripping operations in rail workshops, aircraft maintenance bases and other places. They are ideal for maintenance contractors and original factory refurbishment plants.
5. Power industry cleaning: ensuring safe operation of transmission systems
Application scenarios: cleaning of high-voltage tower insulators
Insulators on high-voltage lines often reduce insulation performance due to pollutants such as dust, bird droppings, and salt. Laser cleaning can:
Realize long-distance and high-altitude insulator cleaning, replacing dangerous manual operations;
Avoid the use of high-pressure water, suitable for arid or cold environments;
No power outage is required, and it is suitable for live working systems.
Laser equipment can be integrated into power operation and maintenance vehicles, drone platforms or insulation lifting equipment to improve the level of intelligent maintenance.
VI. Pre-welding treatment and surface roughening: improving welding quality
Application scenarios: automobile manufacturing, rail vehicles, metal component production
Surface cleaning before welding is crucial, and laser cleaning has significant effects in pre-welding treatment:
Completely remove scale, oil stains and coating residues;
Do not introduce impurities, improve weld cleanliness and bonding strength;
Some cleaning parameters can achieve surface micro-roughening and improve welding wettability.
Laser cleaning equipment can be seamlessly integrated with the welding robot system to form an **integrated solution of "pre-welding pretreatment + automatic welding"**, which has attracted widespread attention from automobile OEMs and steel structure companies.
Conclusion: Verification of multi-industry implementation, laser cleaning has broad prospects
Laser cleaning technology has been commercialized in many key industries due to its high efficiency, green, precision and intelligence. For equipment manufacturers, laser/accessory suppliers, system integrators and cleaning service providers, providing scenario solutions and equipment customization services around specific industry needs will be the key to opening up the market.