Laser Services

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One of the key applications of laser cleaning is the effective removal of rust. Rust forms as a thin layer of oxidised material on metal surfaces, and traditional methods like sanding, chemical treatments, sandblasting, and dry ice blasting can be time-consuming and environmentally damaging.

Laser cleaning, however, offers a far more efficient and eco-friendly solution. Unlike traditional methods, laser cleaning generates no harmful forces that disperse dirt into the environment, while allowing for the rapid cleaning of large surfaces. By targeting the rust layer with a laser beam, the rust is gradually dislodged as the laser gun moves slowly across the surface, leaving the underlying material intact and ready for further treatment or finishing.

Laser cleaning is an effective method for the partial or complete removal of paint layers. Depending on the settings of the laser device, it can strip paint down to the bare surface or remove just a thin top layer.

Most paints and colours are compatible with laser cleaning. However, reflective white paint can pose a challenge, as it reflects the laser beam rather than absorbing it, which may result in a longer cleaning process. Laser cleaning can be applied to most surfaces that can withstand temperatures up to 100°C, including wood, stone, concrete, steel, and aluminium. If rust or another oxide layer exists beneath or between the paint, it can be removed in a single pass, providing a thorough and efficient result.

Graffiti removal is traditionally done using steam or chemicals, but these methods are often less effective and can have their drawbacks. Sandblasting, for example, poses a risk of damaging or wearing down the underlying surface, especially with softer stone types or on historical buildings.

Laser cleaning offers an ideal solution for graffiti removal. The laser beams rapidly heat the paint layer, causing it to evaporate. The underlying stone, concrete, or plaster remains unaffected, as these materials have a higher ablation temperature. This means that laser cleaning is not only safe for delicate surfaces but also effective on a variety of materials, including wood and glass, making it a versatile and precise choice for graffiti removal.

Masonry laser cleaning offers the advantage of simultaneously removing carbon deposits and biofilms using a single laser system, unlike traditional methods that often require multiple techniques. Additionally, the amount of residue produced during laser cleaning is significantly reduced, with most of it consisting of airborne ablation by-products. These by-products can be efficiently captured and contained using standard air extraction systems.

In contrast to the challenging waste collection involved in sandblasting, or the complex recovery of liquid biocides in traditional cleaning solutions, laser cleaning allows users to easily manage and quantify airborne particles, thereby minimising environmental impact. This makes laser cleaning not only more efficient but also a more sustainable option for masonry cleaning.

Laser cleaning is an ideal solution for food moulds with intricate shapes, such as waffle irons, dough moulds, and baking moulds with special coatings. Not only does it effectively remove contamination, but it also removes the release coating, which can then be easily reapplied.

Laser cleaning is also highly effective for moulds used in the pharmaceutical industry. These delicate, complex shapes are not worn down during cleaning, and the laser reaches even the smallest corners. Importantly, the dirt stays in place, preventing contamination from spreading. The laser beams eliminate bacterial contamination, and, as there are no airflows, external contaminants are kept out of the mould.

Injection moulds are particularly well-suited to laser cleaning. There’s no need to disassemble the moulds; they can be cleaned in situ in just a few minutes. The laser light reflects off the surface of the mould but is absorbed by the contaminants, causing them to separate and be removed with ease.

Laser cleaning is an excellent technology for removing soot. Soot is the perfect material for laser cleaning due to its thin, black layer. The colour black has the unique property of absorbing nearly all light, rather than reflecting it. This is exactly what we need in laser cleaning: soot absorbs the short, high-energy light pulses, causing a rapid and intense rise in temperature. The temperature increase is so significant that it reaches the ablation point, causing the soot to evaporate. What remains is a perfectly clean surface, with only a small amount of dust that can be easily blown away.