Decoating – Laser Cleaning

PAINT REMOVAL & DE-COATING

Our P-Laser Cleaning systems can remove coatings, layer by layer, precisely in discrete areas, as well as completely cleaning /de-coating the part. Laser de-coating uses pulsed laser light that uses no chemicals, abrasives and or blast media, unlike the traditional methods. Laser de-coating is a Paint removal technology that’s green and clean.

Features include:

Powerful laser systems for high de-coating rates
No damage to substratesOne-step, gentle, precise & residue-free

Applications

Partial De-coating

We offer precise partial de-coating solutions that eliminate the need for masking of difficult partial coating applications. When bare metal-to-metal contact is required for electrical continuity between parts, this laser process can save time, materials and enhance quality.
The laser does this by precisely removing coatings in the exact areas required, each and every time without having to apply and remove masking. Parts and surfaces fully coated with organic, chemically oxidized and anodized finishes can be efficiently processed this way.
When critical weld seams on painted parts/structures must be de-coated for inspection, the laser process provides a unique and highly effective method. The laser quickly removes coatings to expose possible defects without the need for chemicals, abrasives, power tools or other hand tools that cause surface damage and may even hide the problem areas.

Benefits

Easy to automate or use handheld
High precision and consistency
Eliminates manual masking processes
Unmatched quality
Ideal for many coatings & metal surfaces
No harm to substrate material
No media, no dust, no chemicals, no clean-up – green technology

Applications

Continuity contacts for aerospace, create Faraday cage
Non-destructive testing / de-painting for critical weld inspections
Automobile & electronics industry
Creation of bond points for wire connections
Partial paint removal for electromagnetic compatibility
Precise treatment for design and functional surfaces

Selective Paint Removal

Stripping layer by layer with P-Laser

Usually lasers remove all layers up to the base material. When removing selected areas laser pulses have to be directed and controlled exactly. In doing so, the amount of pulses per spot is decisive. With each pulse a thin layer is removed. The Laser can remove selected layers of paint layer by layer.
By carefully monitoring the process, coating layers can be removed to the precise degree required – no more/no less – when treating layers of uniform thickness. Top coats can be laser removed/ablated to expose the base material primers. The laser process provides excellent re-coating properties confirmed by US Air Force testing & according to international aviation standard SAE 4812.

BENEFITS

Uses no media, no dust, no chemicals, no clean-up, residue-free de-coating
Green technology – no pollution
Fast set-up, simple to operate
Hand-held laser optics – versatile & ergonomically designed
Easy to automate, robotic optics available
Beam delivery by flexible fibrre optic cable up to 100m long
Space-saving compact mobile & stationary systems
Environmentally friendly – no secondary waste
Low operating cost
Minimal maintenance
Used successfully in aerospace, automotive & industrial applications worldwide

Applications

Aerospace: Paint-removal while maintaining primer.
Automobile industry: selected top coat removal for bonding preparation while maintaining corrosion resistance of the primer (e.g. bonding of windscreens)
Corrosion resistance and maintenance: Weathered top coatings are removed thoroughly before new paint finish

Complete Paint Removal

The Mobile P-Laser Cleaning systems are designed to remove paint from steel structures, such as ships, bridges, power transmission towers, and large equipment. The laser process can be used to remove weather top coats finishes, enabling fresh new coatings to be applied over suitable base coat layers. A laser can de-paint a steel surface completely, down to the bare metal, ideal for repainting.
The higher-power (500-1000W) laser units were developed especially for large-area applications. Robust and reliable mobile lasers are designed to go anywhere; in the plant, in the field or at sea.
LaserAge offers State-of-the-art coating removal, backed by industry leading experience.

BENEFITS

Fast set-up, simple to operate
Uses no media, no dust, no chemicals, no clean-up
Removes coatings, oxides, oils & more all in on-step
Versatile hand-held & ergonomically designed laser optics
Easy to automate, robotic optics available
Beam delivery by flexible fiber optic cable up to 100m long
Space-saving compact systems go nearly anywhere
Environmentally friendly – no secondary waste
Low operating cost
Minimal maintenance

Applications

Surface preparation for steel structure corrosion control
Safe removal of hazardous coatings (e.g. lead, chromate primers)
Coating removal along with contaminants including, oxides, chlorides, oil, grease & more

Removal of Vapor Deposited Coatings

Glass & coated plastics

Laser cleaning offers a solution for the challenges of removing coatings applied by vapor deposition to glass and other surfaces in the automotive and other industries.
For example, glass treated with infrared reflective coatings for heat protection can be de-coated precisely, efficiently and very fast.
Laser Cleaning removes TCO coatings from solar panels to create clean edge isolation. The technology is equally effective for similar applications involving TFT monitors and displays.

Clean Moulds & Tools used for Applying PVD Coatings (incl. plasma vaporisation systems)

Laser cleaning removes PVD coatings from production parts as well as the tools and systems used for their application. Our technology removes these coating from tools, molds, fixtures, sensors and the inside of reaction chambers that become covered during the PVD application process and so require regular cleaning.
Laser cleaning effectively cleans these tools without harm down to the base material. Laser cleaning is effective on surfaces that are hot or cold. This saves time and energy related to reaction chamber heat-up/cool down cycles and increases the system’s service efficiency considerably.
Instead of cleaning a chamber interior with solvents, abrasive tools and grit blasting that can damage surfaces, laser cleaning de-coats reaction chambers interiors in a way that’s dust-free and is safe for weld seams and joints and sensitive components.

Applications

De-coating for attachment of functional features, e.g. inserting antenna structures into glass
De-coating solar panels
De-coating TFT monitors & displays
Creating voids in coatings for radio waves & radar
De-coating edges for adhesive bonding pre-treatment

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