5 reasons to use F-Clean to clean large metal structures
Laser cleaning technology is getting more and more into various areas of business. Already today, construction organizations and industrial cleaning companies use laser devices to clean metal structures. In this article, let’s look at the 5 main advantages of the F-Clean laser cleaning system for treating large metal structures. A few real cases are described.
Advanced technology
Companies that incorporate laser cleaning into their production gain an additional competitive advantage — advanced cleaning technology. In addition, the technical specifications for bidding documents are increasingly meeting the need to use exactly laser equipment. The laser cleaning market is just forming, so there is an opportunity to occupy a niche and get ahead of the competition.
Effective and fast cleaning
Laser complex F-Clean removes all kinds of contaminants: all kinds of corrosion, scale, grease, shop primer, etc. The device processes the smallest surface elements, corners and hard-to-reach places without damaging the base material. The layer of dirt evaporates, so there is no need for cleaning. Cleaning speed depends on the complexity of the contamination and the size of the surface to be cleaned. Learn more about cleaning technology in our dedicated article.
Laser cleaning of rust
No additional costs
Pokkels F-Clean is the ability to clearly forecast costs. The equipment requires only the cost of electricity at the rate of 1kV per 1 m². No consumables, no cleaning and no disposal costs. The device service life is 100,000 hours — that is more than 10 years of continuous use for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. A fixed-fee monthly leasing program is available.
Case: Pharmaceutical factory
The current pharmaceutical plant needed re-painting of steel structures. The task was to remove the old paint. The work of the company could not be stopped, because it would lead to significant losses.
Issues: Sandblasting was not applicable because it would require the plant shutdown. Chemical treatment was very expensive because of the large volume of cleaning and the need for disposal.
Pokkels solution: The F-Clean laser system helped the company efficiently clean metal structures for further painting. The company saved money as there was no need for consumables and for post-treatment; it was able to perform repair work without interrupting production and to meet deadlines.
Local treatment
When doing repair work, sometimes there is a need for paint and rust local removal. The F-Clean laser cleaning system helps not only to prepare the surface for welding, but also to remove rust from the area without damaging the protective coating in the adjacent steel structure. You may read more about the laser cleaning process in a dedicated article.
Laser cleaning of metal structure
Upgrade option
Construction work often involves working outdoors, including in the rain and sub-zero temperatures. The F-Clean system cannot operate in the rain like any power tool. The wet surface itself is not a hindrance: the laser light first vaporizes the water and then removes the contamination layer. It is possible to upgrade the unit to suit your needs. For example, we may add a heated laser system for winter operation.
Case: Cleaning a bridge support in Syktyvkar
The automobile and railway bridge in Syktyvkar required cleaning the old paint. The bridge passes over a river, so it was important not to harm the environment when choosing the cleaning method.
Issues: Chemical cleaning was not possible because of the large size of the bridge and the river flowing underneath it. Sandblasting could cause complications and require costs associated with the use of a diesel generator, sand delivery and its disposal. One possible solution was to use waterjet cleaning. However, the surface of the metal was in close proximity to water, so it corroded quickly.
Pokkels solution: The mobility of the F-Clean laser system made combined cleaning possible: after the waterjet cleaning, the rust was removed before the primer coating was applied.
