Laser cleaning machine is a device that uses high-energy laser beams to irradiate the surface of an object and quickly remove surface pollutants (such as rust, oil stains, paint layers, oxide layers, etc.) through physical action. It is a new type of cleaning technology that is green, efficient, non-contact, and consumable-free, and is widely used in industrial cleaning, cultural relics restoration, mold processing and other fields.
1. How does a laser cleaner work
The core principle of laser cleaning is “laser ablation” or “laser peeling”. Its working process mainly relies on the following physical mechanisms:
1. Thermal effect
The laser beam irradiates the contaminated layer, causing it to quickly heat up to the vaporization or decomposition temperature, and the contaminants are instantly evaporated or ablated, while the substrate material is not damaged due to less energy absorption or fast heat conduction.
2. Light explosion effect
High-intensity short-pulse laser forms “micro plasma” on the surface, generating shock waves, which shatter and peel off the contaminant layer. This effect is common in short-pulse or ultra-short-pulse laser cleaning.
3. Light pressure peeling
The strong light pressure generated by laser irradiation can directly knock the contaminants away. This process often occurs in scenes where the contamination layer is thin and the bonding force with the substrate is not strong.
4. Laser-induced oscillation
The laser acts periodically on the surface, causing the interface between the contamination layer and the substrate to vibrate, thereby removing the contaminants layer by layer.
These physical effects usually occur in synergy. Different types of lasers (such as nanosecond, picosecond, and femtosecond pulse lasers) and different wavelength and power settings determine the specific cleaning method and effect.
2. The working process of the laser cleaning machine
The basic working process of the laser cleaning machine is as follows:
- The laser emits a beam: After the system is started, the laser generates a beam with high energy density.
- The focusing system processes the laser: The laser is focused into a high-intensity spot through an optical system (such as a lens).
- The scanning system controls the movement of the beam: Through a galvanometer or a robotic arm, high-speed scanning of the target surface is achieved.
- The contaminants are stripped off: The contaminant layer in the area irradiated by the laser spot is heated, broken, vaporized, or shaken off.
- The contaminants are removed: The removed particles or gases can be taken away by the exhaust system to keep the site clean. Scanning the entire surface: The laser beam covers the entire cleaning area according to the set path and speed to complete the cleaning task.
3. Common types of laser cleaning
Laser cleaning equipment can be divided into the following categories according to the laser source used and the working mode:
1. Continuous laser cleaning
Laser energy is continuously output.
Suitable for removing thick rust and coating.
The thermal effect is strong and not very friendly to heat-sensitive materials.
2. Pulsed laser cleaning
The laser outputs energy in the form of bursts of energy (such as nanoseconds and picoseconds) in a short period of time.
It has little thermal impact on the substrate and is suitable for high-precision scenes such as precision devices and molds.
The cleaning effect is more refined and the risk of damage can be controlled.
4. Advantages of laser cleaning
- Non-contact cleaning: does not damage the surface of the substrate, suitable for fragile or precision equipment.
- No consumables required: no chemical agents or abrasive materials are required, environmentally friendly and pollution-free.
- Efficient and fast: can be processed locally, and large-area cleaning can also be achieved automatically.
- Strong automatic control: can be integrated with robots and CNC systems to meet the needs of industrial automation.
- Wide adaptability: can be used for surface cleaning of various materials such as metal, stone, plastic, rubber, glass, etc.
Conclusion
Laser cleaning machines achieve efficient, precise, and environmentally friendly cleaning processes through the physical interaction between high-energy laser beams and pollutants. Its principle seems complicated, but it is actually a highly integrated intelligent cleaning technology.