LaserBlast™
 Laser Cleaning Systems and Machines

Unlike sandblasting or chemical cleaning, laser cleaning requires no media or solvents. It avoids surface wear, eliminates secondary waste, and allows for localized precision. This reduces maintenance downtime and environmental impact while ensuring consistent results. Read more in Laser rust removal

Laser cleaning works effectively on metals, alloys, ceramics, stone, and certain polymers. It can remove oxides, paint, rust, grease, and even radioactive or organic residues. The correct laser power and pulse parameters depend on the substrate’s reflectivity and the contaminant type. See examples in Laser Cleaning Materials: Ultimate Guide on All Supported Ones

The difference lies in laser-material interaction: contaminants absorb more energy than the substrate, causing selective ablation. Surface reflectivity and absorption thresholds are carefully calibrated for each application. Read more in Principles of Laser Ablation and Laser Cleaning

Yes. When properly tuned, laser cleaning can remove pollutants and corrosion layers from stone, bronze, marble, or frescoes without altering surface texture or color. It’s widely used in conservation projects. Learn more in Laser Cleaning Applications: All Uses & Industries

Yes. Laser ablation can remove uranium and other radioactive deposits without producing liquid waste. Particulates are safely collected via HEPA filtration. See details in  Case Study: Nuclear Radioactive Decontamination for Decommissioning with Laser Technology

Laser cleaning is highly versatile across industrial sectors. Key applications include:

• Metal Surfaces: Removal of rust, oxides, paint, adhesives, and greases (e.g., pre-welding preparation for aluminum alloys to reduce porosity to < 1%).
• Non-Metals: Cleaning of ceramics, polymers, wood, stone, and composites.
• Sensitive Contexts: Food processing equipment (cleaning and texturing), nuclear decontamination (radioactive oxide layers), and battery components (removal of the SEI layer from Li-ion battery cathodes).
• New Sectors: Disinfection and removal of bacterial biofilms.

Improper handling is the leading cause of premature optic failure, which is a major operational expense. The best practice for cleaning the optics—particularly the protective window that is most exposed to fumes and splatter—follows a multi-step procedure to avoid scratching the anti-reflective coatings:

1. Blowing: First, use oil-free, dry compressed air (or a clean air bulb) to gently remove all loose particulates and dust. Never use a cloth before this step, as dust particles can act as an abrasive.
2. Swabbing (The Drop-and-Drag Method): Apply a high-purity solvent, such as spectroscopic-grade Isopropyl Alcohol IPA or Acetone, to a dedicated, high-quality, non-abrasive cotton swab or lens wipe. Use the "drop-and-drag" technique: start from the center of the lens and drag the swab once to the outer edge without re-using the swab or applying excessive pressure. This process removes surface oil, grease, and sticky residue.
3. Frequency: The protective window, which shields the expensive f-theta lens, should be inspected daily and cleaned as soon as contamination is visible. Contamination on the optic causes the laser energy to be absorbed locally, creating a "hot spot" that quickly burns the coating, necessitating a costly replacement.

• Source: Excelitas: Optics Handling 

Absolutely. Laser cleaning heads can be mounted on cobots or robotic arms equipped with vision systems to target complex geometries or moving parts. Read about this approach in How to Choose a Laser Cleaning Machine 

Yes. By coupling machine vision and pulsed lasers, weeds can be precisely targeted without herbicides, reducing soil and water contamination. Learn more in Laser Cleaning for Weed Control 

Yes. Laser cleaning removes oxides and organic residues, improving wettability and adhesion. This ensures higher-quality welds and uniform coatings. Explore more in  Application of Laser Cleaning prior to Laser Welding of Aluminum Alloys 

Key parameters include laser wavelength, pulse duration, fluence (energy per area), and absorption characteristics of the contamination. These factors are optimized experimentally for each material. See  Laser Process Parameters and Surface Roughness 

Continuous-wave lasers emit constant energy, while pulsed lasers deliver short, high-intensity bursts ideal for ablation. Pulsed lasers prevent heat buildup and surface damage. Learn about pulse duration in  What is Laser Ablation 

Industrial fiber laser sources are known for exceptional longevity, typically having a lifespan of $50,000$ to over $100,000$ operational hours. This translates to over a decade of use in a standard industrial environment. This is achieved through the use of solid-state components and redundant diode pumping systems that maintain output power as individual diodes degrade over time.  Source:  What is the True Lifespan of a Fiber Laser Source? Myths vs. Reality