What Is Laser Cleaning Machine

fiber laser cleaning machine for rust removal

With the development of laser technology, laser cleaning machine has emerged, and now the requirements for environmental protection are increasing. Laser rust removal is experiencing rapid development. Fiber laser cleaning machine is a powerful tool that uses a focused beam of light to clean and remove surface pollutants. Compared to traditional cleaning methods, these machines offer a wide range of advantages, such as improved speed and accuracy, greater control over the cleaning process, and the ability to clean the most complex surfaces with astonishing precision.

This article explores all the key points you need to know about the laser rust removal machine, which helps you better understand its functions and applications.

Table of Contents

What Is Laser Cleaning Machine Working Principle

The principle of laser rust removal is to use the characteristics of high energy density, controllable direction, and strong convergence ability of the laser beam to destroy the bonding force between rust and the substrate, or to directly vaporize pollutants for rust removal.

Specifically, the beam emitted by the laser is absorbed by the pollution layer on the surface to be treated. The absorption of large energy forms a rapidly expanding plasma (highly ionized unstable gas), producing shock waves. Shock waves cause pollutants to break into fragments and be removed. The width of the light pulse must be short enough to avoid heat accumulation that can damage the treated surface. Experiments have shown that when there are oxides on the metal surface, plasma is generated on the metal surface.

Laser Cleaning Machine Main Components

There are currently three main types of laser rust removal cleaning equipment.

  1. Machine tool fixed equipment, using assembly line operation. Features: The machine is relatively large, with high power and efficiency.
  2. Handheld fiber laser cleaning machine. Features: Weighing around 150 kilograms, flexible operation of longer fiber optic cables, high cost-effectiveness, low rust removal cost, widely used.
  3. Small backpack style. Features: Portable, flexible in application, weighing 10-20 kilograms, high in price, and low in cost-effectiveness.

Although their external performance varies, their basic mechanisms can be divided into several systems: laser system, cold water system, control system, output system, and auxiliary system. For the most widely used handheld fiber laser rust removal machine, the main components are divided into laser, chiller, output head, and control system. They can be independently matched just like the CPU, memory module, and display of a desktop computer. A laser is like a computer CPU, a chiller is like a computer fan for cooling, an output head is like a display, and a control system is like a computer system.

Control System of Laser Rust Removal Machine

The core of laser rust removal and cleaning machine is still the control system, and the quality of the control system determines the performance and intelligence level of the machine. The main functions of the control system include:

  1. Control the operation of various laser cleaning systems.
  2. Monitor various parameters such as water temperature, laser temperature, humidity, vibration, power on, etc., with a complete alarm system and protective devices.
  3. Adjust output parameters such as power, scanning speed, scanning width, real-time display, and data recording. Advanced controllers also have remote communication capabilities.

Auxiliary Systems Of Laser Cleaning Machine

In addition, the laser rust removal machine also has some auxiliary systems.

  1. The alarm system, regardless of any abnormalities in the machine, will first stop operation, then issue an alarm, and only resume operation after solving the problem. Whether the temperature is too high or a component is damaged, it will issue an alarm, and it also has functions such as water interruption, short point, overcurrent, overheating, and leakage protection.
  2. Recycling system. When a laser rust removal machine is operating, it generally does not need to be processed. When multiple laser rust removal machines are operating simultaneously, especially when removing paint or working in enclosed spaces, a dust recovery system is required. A device similar to a vacuum cleaner can be used to handle the cleaned dust.
  3. Mobile system. During the operation of a laser rust removal machine, it is often accompanied by the movement of the machine. Generally speaking, the laser rust removal machine has a fiber optic cable of 2-20 meters, but different mobile systems will be used according to different usage scenarios. Mobile systems are mainly divided into handheld mobile, robotic arm control, or 3D displacement platforms. The handheld head is characterized by easy operation but poor uniformity, high requirements for operators, and attention to personnel safety. The robotic arm fixes the laser head on the robotic arm and uses it to clean and remove rust. It has high stability in operation, uniform scanning, but poor flexibility, and many blind spots cannot be cleaned. In actual homework, a combination of robotic arms and handheld devices is mainly used. The three-dimensional displacement platform can achieve x-y-z three-axis cleaning by fixing the cleaning head, which is suitable for regular surface cleaning with high efficiency. At the same time, it can also be cleaned by using the method of laser beam not moving butmoving the object to be cleaned.

Additional Configurations Of Laser Cleaning Machine

In addition to these systems, there are additional devices.

  1. Liquid spraying device, mainly used in wet cleaning equipment, sprays a certain amount of liquid on the object to be cleaned according to actual needs. Wet laser cleaning has unique uses, such as in paint removal, the efficiency of wet cleaning is 2-3 times that of dry cleaning.
  2. Monitoring device, real-time monitoring effect, whether it meets expectations, monitoring device is divided into two types: observation window and signal detection device. The observation window roughly observes the effect, and the signal detection is relatively fine, including vibration signals, spectral signals, and acoustic signal lights.

Laser Rust Removal Machine VS. Traditional Rust Removal Machine

Laser Rust Removal Machine Advantages

Compared with traditional rust removal methods, such as sheet metal deburring machine, laser rust removal machines have multiple significant advantages.

  1. Efficiency: Laser rust removal machines stand out with their high-speed rust removal ability. The laser beam can concentrate high energy on the metal surface in a very short time, causing the rust layer to quickly vaporize or peel off, greatly improving the rust removal efficiency. In contrast, traditional rust removal methods such as manual rust removal and sandblasting rust removal not only take longer, but also may have uneven rust removal effects, which can easily leave residual rust marks.
  2. Accuracy: The laser rust removal machine adopts a high-precision laser beam, which can accurately irradiate the rusted area and remove the rust layer without causing damage to the object itself. This non-contact rust removal method can maintain the smoothness of the metal surface and avoid surface scratches or damage that traditional rust removal methods may bring.
  3. Green and environmentally friendly: The laser rust removal machine does not require the use of any chemical agents or cleaning liquids during the rust removal process, and does not produce pollutants such as wastewater and exhaust gas, meeting environmental requirements. In addition, rust removal waste is mainly composed of solid powder, which is small in size, easy to store, and recyclable, further reducing environmental pollution.
  4. High safety: The laser rust removal machine does not produce noise and vibration during operation, reducing the impact on the operator. Meanwhile, due to its non-contact rust removal method, it reduces the potential safety hazards in traditional rust removal methods, such as sparks and splashes.
  5. Multi-functionality: In addition to the rust removal function, the laser rust removal machine can also perform various operations such as cleaning and marking, meeting different process requirements. This versatility makes laser rust removal machines more widely applicable in the field of metal processing.
  6. High degree of automation: The laser rust removal machine can be paired with robots to achieve long-distance operation, which can clean complex workpiece parts and reduce the accident rate of cleaning operations in some dangerous scenarios. This highly automated operating method not only improves work efficiency, but also reduces manual labor intensity.
  7. Low consumables consumption and low maintenance costs: Although the light source of the laser rust removal machine consumes quickly, compared with other traditional rust removal methods, its overall consumables consumption is lower. At the same time, the maintenance cost of laser rust removal machine is relatively low, which reduces the usage cost.

Fiber Laser Cleaning Machine Disadvantages

Although laser rust removal machines have many advantages, there are still the following shortcomings in practice.

  1. High price: Compared to traditional mechanical rust removal equipment, laser rust removal machines are more expensive and require significant investment.
  2. Material restrictions: Laser rust removal machines have limitations on materials, preferably metal, and cannot be used on certain fragile and vulnerable materials.
  3. Harmful to the naked eye: The laser rust removal machine generates certain radiation during operation, which is quite eye-catching and requires wearing protective goggles.

How To Choose A Cost-Effective Laser Cleaning Machine

Laser cleaning machine is an efficient and precise cleaning equipment, usually used for cleaning and cleaning various components and materials in laser equipment. It is very important to choose a cost-effective laser cleaning machine when purchasing.

1. Determine Requirements And Budget

Before purchasing a laser cleaning machine, it is necessary to clarify your own needs and budget. For example, the type, size, complexity, required cleaning time, and cleaning effect of the laser equipment that needs to be cleaned. After determining these factors, different brands and models of laser cleaning machines can be compared in the market, and the most cost-effective one can be selected based on budget.

2. Focus On Performance And Reliability

In addition to price, the performance and reliability of laser cleaning machines are also very important considerations. Performance includes cleaning speed, cleaning ability, cleaning effect, degree of automation, etc. Reliability includes equipment stability, maintenance costs, after-sales service, etc. When choosing a laser cleaning machine, one should choose a brand and model with good performance and reliability to ensure cleaning effectiveness and long-term stability of the equipment.

3. Consider Usability And Convenience

The ease of use and convenience of laser cleaning machines are also very important considerations. Usability includes user-friendly user interface, customizable cleaning program, device operation manual, and technical support. Convenience includes the transportation and storage methods of the equipment, as well as the maintenance and upkeep methods of the equipment. When choosing a laser cleaning machine, one should choose a brand and model that is easy to use and convenient to ensure cleaning efficiency and operational convenience.

4. Consider Environmental Friendliness And Sustainable Development

The environmental friendliness and sustainable development of laser cleaning machines are also very important considerations. Environmental friendliness includes the energy-saving performance of equipment and the disposal methods of waste generated during the cleaning process. Sustainable development includes the lifespan of equipment, maintenance costs, recycling, and reuse. When choosing a laser cleaning machine, one should choose brands and models that are environmentally friendly and sustainable to ensure cleaning efficiency and environmental protection.

5. Reference Customer Feedback And Evaluation

Finally, referring to customer feedback and evaluations is also a factor that cannot be ignored when choosing a laser cleaning machine. Customer feedback and feedback can be collected through channels such as the internet, forums, and exhibitions. By understanding the usage and feedback of laser cleaning machines from customers, one can understand the performance and reliability of laser cleaning machines, as well as the level of competition in the market, in order to choose the most suitable laser cleaning machine for oneself.

When choosing a laser cleaning machine that suits oneself, it is necessary to comprehensively consider multiple aspects such as demand, performance and reliability, environmental protection, customer feedback and evaluation, in order to choose the most cost-effective laser cleaning machine and achieve the best cleaning effect and long-term use effect of the equipment.

 

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