r/LaserCleaningPorn

Playing around with an automation integration company who showed us their software for programming a cobot.

The goal is to use systems like this for large areas of coating removal, weld prep within vessels, toxic coating removal and maybe holding powerful lasers that you wouldn't want to physically hold.

You see those sparks? If you dont see them, whoever is using the equipment doesn't know what they are doing or something is out of focus/ damaged.

Sparks= a significantly higher level of surface cleanliness, less corrosion, less soluble salts.

In practical shipyard applications, traditional sandblasting, acid pickling, or manual grinding not only pose dust and waste-liquid disposal challenges but also tend to cause scratches or microstructural changes on the surface of shipbuilding steels such as EH36 and AH36, which can compromise the durability of subsequent anti-corrosion coatings. Our team has long been engaged in specialized experiments on laser cleaning for marine steels, and we would like to share some of our process insights for peer discussion.

Laser rust removal requires a balance between effectively removing the rust layer and avoiding damage to the substrate. The optimal energy density and scanning speed vary depending on the rust condition and steel grade. Through a series of comparative tests, we found that for a typical EH36 steel plate surface, an energy density of approximately 2.546 J/cm² and a scanning speed of 3000 mm/s yield satisfactory cleaning results. Electrochemical test data under these parameters (refer to Laser & Optoelectronics Progress, 2023, 60(5): 0514011) show a reduction in corrosion current density of about 57% compared to the original material. This serves as a useful reference for flat-surface cleaning, though in practice the parameters should be fine-tuned according to rust-layer thickness and surface contamination level.

The surface morphology and rust product composition differ significantly between flat hull plates and weld seams, so a single parameter set is unsuitable. We have established dedicated process databases for each: flat surfaces use the parameters mentioned above, whereas weld seams, which involve slag and more severe corrosion, require moderately higher energy density and adjusted scanning speed, depending on weld width, penetration depth, and base metal grade. After multiple rounds of sample testing, the optimized weld process effectively removes slag and rust, with corrosion current improved by an order of magnitude relative to the original weld; however, an exact percentage is not provided because it varies with operating conditions. In addition, weld zones of AH36 steel typically retain residual tensile stress after welding, which can exacerbate stress corrosion cracking in seawater environments. We have observed that properly selected laser cleaning parameters not only remove rust but also induce thermal effects on the surface layer, altering the residual stress state. Under specific energy-density and scanning-speed combinations, the residual tensile stress on the weld surface can be converted into compressive stress, which benefits the structural resistance to stress corrosion. The exact parameters need to be matched to the actual weld condition, and we are continuing to accumulate data on this topic.

Shipyard environments are humid and dusty, placing high demands on long-term laser stability. Our equipment is equipped with a temperature-stabilized fiber laser, a real-time power closed-loop feedback system, and a sealed negative-pressure dust extraction structure, supporting extended continuous operation. The optical path and motion mechanisms have been specifically protected for marine conditions. Prior to delivery, each unit undergoes optical simulation, surface roughness, and electrochemical corrosion testing to ensure consistent cleaning quality. In typical shipyard settings, the equipment has operated continuously over multiple days with power attenuation and beam-spot variation remaining within acceptable limits, and cleaning performance remains stable.

The above process conclusions are based on mechanistic studies of marine steel corrosion and extensive testing on actual ship plates. However, due to the complexity of real-world conditions, we recommend that users conduct final validation using on-site sample plates before large-scale application. We have compiled mature process parameters into a switchable process library covering mainstream marine steel grades, accompanied by standardized operating instructions. This process produces no chemical waste or dust emissions and causes no mechanical damage to the base metal, which helps extend coating service life. By sharing these measured data and process logic, we hope to provide a reference technical pathway for peers in shipbuilding and contribute to the engineering implementation of green repair and construction processes. We welcome discussions on specific working conditions and look forward to jointly refining the process solutions.

Less dust. Cleaner workspace. Better results.

Our 300W Laser Cleaning Machine features an integrated dust collection system, making laser cleaning cleaner, safer, and more efficient.

✅ Built-in dust extraction for a cleaner working environment
✅ Air-cooled design for easy operation
✅ Precise cleaning with minimal damage to the base material
✅ Perfect for rust removal, paint stripping, oxide cleaning, and surface preparation

Clean smarter, work easier with MRJ-Laser.

#LaserCleaning #LaserCleaner #DustCollection #RustRemoval #PaintRemoval #IndustrialCleaning #SurfacePreparation #MRJLaser #Manufacturing #Innovation

Laser texturing cleaning technology utilizes a high-energy laser beam focused onto the workpiece surface. Through the combined effects of rapid photo-vibration, vaporization, decomposition, and plasma stripping, contaminants are removed from the substrate, achieving a clean workpiece surface. Building on this, laser texturing employs controlled pulsed laser scanning on the clean metal substrate, causing localized surface metal micro-zones to melt and rapidly cool, forming micrometer-scale concave-convex microstructures with adjustable roughness values. This process requires no abrasives, solvents, or chemicals.

Compared with traditional sandblasting, laser texturing cleaning offers comprehensive advantages:

Green and environmentally friendly, with zero pollutant emissions. The laser texturing cleaning process requires no chemical agents, and the waste generated is solid, non-hazardous powder, fundamentally solving the environmental pollution issues associated with traditional sandblasting rust removal. Conventional sandblasting produces approximately 2.5 kg of waste residue per square meter, whereas laser cleaning generates almost no waste residue.

Non-contact processing, with no substrate damage. Laser cleaning is a non-contact processing method, eliminating concerns about workpiece damage or deformation. Unlike the physical impact of sandblasting, laser technology enables precise energy control, achieving "contaminant removal without substrate damage."

Precisely controllable roughness, significantly improved coating adhesion. Laser texturing technology allows precise control over surface roughness and micro-morphology by adjusting parameters such as laser power, scanning speed, and defocusing distance to meet different process requirements. The roughness Ra value can be precisely regulated within the range of 0.1–10 μm with an error margin of ±5%. Coating adhesion can be improved by 200%–300%. Studies have shown that laser texturing can generate regular micro-morphologies on metal surfaces; at equivalent roughness levels, its floating roller peel strength and shear strength in adhesive bonding are significantly higher than those of sandblasted surfaces.

Significantly improved efficiency and lower overall cost. Taking single-roll texturing as an example, laser texturing takes less than 2 hours, whereas sandblasting requires 10 hours—an efficiency improvement of 500%. Although the initial investment for a laser cleaning system is relatively high, it offers long-term stable operation, easy integration into production lines, low operating costs, high speed, and high efficiency, ensuring a rapid return on investment. The comprehensive cost of laser cleaning has already dropped from RMB 12–15/m² in 2018 to RMB 6–8/m² in 2023.

Last week, our engineering team tested the texturing cleaning performance of different power levels and different laser source types. The specific test results are now published below.