Principle and Development Trends of Pulsed Laser Cleaning Equipment

Pulsed laser cleaning and derusting is an advanced surface treatment technology that utilizes pulsed laser energy to act on metal surfaces, removing surface contaminants, rust, oxides, etc., through physical and chemical interactions, thereby achieving the purpose of cleaning metal surfaces. This technology offers advantages such as high efficiency, environmental friendliness, and energy savings, making it widely applicable in industrial production.

I. Principle of Pulsed Laser Cleaning and Derusting

The principle of pulsed laser cleaning and derusting primarily involves the physical and chemical effects generated by the interaction between laser and matter, such as thermal energy, light energy, shock waves, and gases. When pulsed laser irradiates the metal surface, the light energy is absorbed and converted into thermal energy, causing rapid temperature rise and thermal expansion of the metal surface. Simultaneously, the light energy can excite gas molecules on the metal surface, generating plasma or chemically active gases. These gases interact with the metal surface, producing shock waves and chemical reactions, thereby removing surface contaminants, rust, oxides, etc.

II. Characteristics of Pulsed Laser Cleaning and Derusting

1. High Efficiency: Pulsed laser has high energy, enabling rapid removal of surface contaminants, rust, oxides, etc., on metal surfaces, thereby improving cleaning efficiency.

2. Environmental Friendliness: This technology does not require the use of chemical reagents, reducing environmental pollution and harm to the human body.

3. Energy Savings: This technology effectively utilizes energy, reducing energy waste.

4. Wide Applicability: Suitable for various metal materials and castings with different surface conditions, such as rust, oil stains, welding slag, etc.

5. Minimal Damage to Substrate: Due to the precise control of pulsed laser energy, the thermal impact on the metal substrate is minimal, reducing the risk of substrate deformation, discoloration, and other issues.

III. Application Scope of Pulsed Laser Cleaning and Derusting

Pulsed laser cleaning and derusting technology is widely used in industrial fields such as automotive, aerospace, shipbuilding, petrochemicals, power, and metallurgy. For example, in automotive manufacturing, this technology can be used to clean engine blocks, cylinder heads, exhaust pipes, and other components; in the aerospace field, it can be used to clean high-precision parts such as aircraft fuselages and engine components; in the petrochemical industry, it can be used to clean equipment like oil tanks and pipelines; in the power sector, it can be used for derusting transmission lines, etc.

IV. Development Trends of Pulsed Laser Cleaning and Derusting

With the continuous development of science and technology, pulsed laser cleaning and derusting technology is also being continuously improved and enhanced. In the future, this technology will develop in the following directions:

1. Higher Efficiency: Further improve cleaning efficiency, shorten cleaning time, and enhance production efficiency.

2. Intelligence: Through automated control systems and machine vision technology, achieve intelligent and automated cleaning processes.

3. Precision: Improve cleaning accuracy, reduce damage to the substrate, and enhance cleaning quality.

4. Multifunctionality: Develop more types of pulsed laser cleaning equipment to meet diverse cleaning needs.

In summary, as an efficient, environmentally friendly, and energy-saving surface treatment technology, pulsed laser cleaning and derusting has broad application prospects in industrial production. With the continuous development and refinement of the technology, it is believed that this technology will play an even more important role in future production.