PROCESS EQUIPMENT UPDATE
Today, a more eff ective alternative is using industrial-grade, precision laser- based systems that can remove paint, contaminants, rust and residues with a high-energy laser beam that leaves the substrate unaff ected. Preparation and cleanup time are minimal, and the low- maintenance equipment can last decades. According to Vincent Galiardi, owner
of Galiardi Laser Clean, many people are surprised to learn that clean technology lasers are the most cost-eff ective, effi cient and safest method of industrial surface preparation. “Many people are unfamiliar with the use of lasers to pretreat metal surfaces,” says Galiardi. “When I do a demonstration, at fi rst the people in attendance are sceptical. But after I use the laser to treat a small area, everyone starts talking and getting excited. By the end, when I let them try the equipment, everyone is having a good time and saying how great the laser works.” Given its eff ectiveness pre-treating
metal surfaces, industrial laser systems are increasingly being used in manufacturing facilities. T e systems can be integrated into automated inline processing lines, or technicians can use mobile handheld units. With advantages in safety and effi ciency, laser cleaning is poised to disrupt the surface pre-treatment market across more sectors.
Laser systems remove corrosion with less preparation and mess than traditional techniques
Laser systems remove corrosion, grease, residue, and existing LASER FOCUS
coatings from metal surfaces quickly, with less preparation and mess than traditional techniques
M
ost manufacturers understand the value of pre-treating metal surfaces of parts to remove corrosion, grease, residue, old
coatings or to roughen the surface of metals prior to coating. By ensuring the items are cleaned down to bare metal, manufacturers can avoid costly warranty issues that result when coatings peel, fl ake or bubble.
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Unfortunately, the traditional techniques used for this purpose – such as sandblasting, dry ice blasting and chemical stripping – are messy and require expensive consumables, as well as substantial time for preparation and cleanup. T ese methods are also drawing scrutiny from regulators since they can pose risks to the environment and applicators.
RESOLVING CONVENTIONAL CLEANING LIMITATIONS T ere are many applications in manufacturing that require pre-treatment of metal surfaces prior to coating. To improve coating adhesion, residue, oil or grease must be removed before coating application. In some cases, a manufacturer may seek to further enhance coating adhesion by roughening the surface.
When defective metal parts are
produced, instead of discarding the product, manufacturers can strip the paint and re-coat the component. To refurbish existing metal parts or
recoat industrial infrastructure, removing the previous coating along with any corrosion is usually required to facilitate the new coating’s adhesion to the surface. To pretreat metal surfaces, sandblasting, dry ice blasting or chemical stripping are traditionally used as industrial cleaning processes. Abrasive sandblasting involves
forcefully projecting a stream of abrasive
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