Laser cleaning of stainless steel
Fast cleaning, no consumables, no waste and no dust are the reasons why laser technology is increasingly being adopted in factories that process stainless steel. Learn more about the uses and capabilities of laser systems from our article.
Applications
Laser cleaning technology would be interesting for companies that use stainless steel in production. The laser beam helps to prepare the surface for welding, to treat the surface after work to give it its original appearance. Pokkels equipment has successfully accomplished these tasks in various industries.
Nuclear power industry
Company objectives:
One of the key components of a nuclear power plant is stainless steel plumbing systems. When manufacturing such systems, stainless steel surfaces must be cleaned and welded joints must be prepared. Traditional cleaning methods take longer than laser cleaning and also add a number of complexities associated with waste disposal.
Pokkels solution:
Company uses F-Clean laser equipment in the construction and maintenance of power plants. Pokkels devices restore the appearance of stainless steel surfaces after use and eliminate tarnishing. The company was able to save money that they used to spend on chemical treatment, storage and disposal of waste.
Laser cleaning of the weld
Food Industry
Company objectives:
Company specializes in the production and repair of food processing equipment, where stainless steel is a key material. The company performs continuous processing of various steel structures and surfaces. The use of chemicals is prohibited and mechanical processing leads to deformation of an accessory.
Pokkels solution:
Laser equipment is used in repairs to clean the cases and interior surfaces of stainless steel equipment. Stamps and baking dishes are effectively cleaned. Reduces the surface roughness of the die cutter, which helps reduce friction and pressure on the food product during die cutting.
Laser cleaning in dairy production
City transportation services
Company objectives:
Public transit stops are made of stainless steel sheet, which oxidizes over time, rusts on the fixtures, and graffiti marks remain. Chemical cleaning means additional difficulties with cleaning up chemical waste. The mechanical method does not allow the stops’ surface to be cleaned evenly because of the complex shape.
Pokkels solution:
Laser technology removes dirt without damaging the metal and cleans surfaces of all shapes: blunt angles, hard-to-reach places. After surface treatment with the F-Clean laser equipment, there is no need for additional mechanical grinding and polishing of the surface.
Laser cleaning of bus stop parts
Manufacturers of stainless steel products
Company objectives:
Making equipment from stainless steel sheet requires cleaning of welded joints and restoration of the material surface after storage. The chemical method proved to be insufficiently effective.
Pokkels solution:
Laser equipment is used for preparation for welding and cleaning of welded joints from oxides and traces of tarnishing. The weld is cleaned without impurities or damage.
Pokkels equipment can also be used in other areas. Large pipe rolling companies use our installations for descaling large-diameter pipes. Automotive repair and restoration companies use F-Clean laser systems for body parts and exhaust systems.
Laser cleaning of stainless steel sheets
Pokkels equipment is also used in other fields. Large pipe rolling companies utilize our systems for cleaning scale from large-diameter pipes. Companies engaged in car repair and restoration use F-Clean laser systems when working with body parts and exhaust systems.
Laser cleaning of car mufflers
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How the laser works
Thanks to the wide range of settings, the laser equipment can achieve various results: from cleaning dirt to creating surfaces with a specific morphology.
During cleaning, the laser beam affects the contamination layer without damaging the metal. A high density of laser light on the surface is created and the contamination evaporates. Laser cleaning leaves no residue: the polished surface, textures and patterns remain as they are.
You can read more about the laser cleaning process in a dedicated article.
Automation of laser cleaning
Pokkels develops customized automated laser systems.
Our specialists design complex automated systems. The robotic complex can weld the product and prepare the weld, and then clean the finished weld from oxides and tarnish marks. The result is identical, marketable products with no need for post-treatment. The system can be integrated into an existing production line.
The automation process allows adjusting the cleaning parameters, laser operation mode, laser beam sweep parameters: changing the beam width, switching on and off at specified moments of time.
It is possible to use existing conveyor lines as well as to develop all kinds of coordinate systems for cleaning automation.
Pokkels develops systems in different form factors. For example, in the form of a hand for processing metal surfaces along different trajectories. The robotic system can also create texture, roughness on stainless steel surfaces.
The main advantages of an automated laser system:
- twofold productivity increase
- continuous operation without stopping production
- increased treatment accuracy
Advantages of laser equipment
- Selective surface treatment. For example, the weld is cleaned of tarnish without affecting the base metal, eliminating the formation of craters or cracks.
- Laser cleaning is one of the most user-friendly, environmentally friendly and highly resource-efficient ways to treat surfaces. Service life of our devices is at least 10 years.
- Competitive advantage: reduced production time and improved product quality.
- Pokkels devices do not require additional costs other than electricity: at the rate of 1 kW per 1 m2. The equipment can be leased.