Cleaning

Our range of services

Tailor-made laser processes are suitable for cleaning and stripping various kinds of components. Such processes are based on locally limited interaction of pulsed or continuous laser radiation with surface layers. A chemical reaction or thermal decomposition takes place, for example via evaporation or sublimation, depending on the laser wavelength, intensity and interaction time of the radiation with the surface layer and the material properties. With these processes, components can be cleaned on both a large-scale and locally down to the micrometer range, whereby oxide layers or particulate and filmic contaminants such as fats or oils are efficiently removed. Fraunhofer ILT develops efficient, laser-based cleaning processes with high spatial resolution for applications in various industrial sectors.

Cleaning and stripping can be used in pre-treatment for joining processes – such as brazing, welding or gluing – to activate plastic surfaces or to protect of steel structures against corrosion. Furthermore, manually guided machining heads can be used to clean aircraft components or rail heads flexibly, with fiber-coupled laser sources used in pulsed operation.

The services offered range from feasibility studies, the development and implementation of application-specific cleaning processes and corresponding system technology, integration into existing industrial processes and individual consultation.

Compressor rotor cleaned with laser radiation, two blades are in the uncleaned state.
© Fraunhofer ILT, Aachen, Germany.
Compressor rotor cleaned with laser radiation, two blades are in the uncleaned state.
Cleaning of solder pads
© Fraunhofer ILT, Aachen, Germany.
Cleaning of solder pads
Resonator of a Q-switched laser system developed at Fraunhofer ILT with 2 kW output power for mobile applications
© Fraunhofer ILT, Aachen, Germany.
Resonator of a Q-switched laser system developed at Fraunhofer ILT with 2 kW output power for mobile applications

Cleaning

  • Removal of rust and coatings from steel-girder constructions for corrosion protection with mobile laser systems
  • Cleaning and removal as pretreatment for joining processes (e.g. welding, brazing, bonding, gluing)
  • Selective cleaning and removal with high spatial resolution
  • Development of system technology (high speed scanners, Q-switch Nd:YAG laser with high output power, exhaust systems)
  • Removal of oxide layers
  • Activating of plastics
  • Removal of particles and thin films (e. g. grease or oil)

Brochures

Our brochures offer a quick view onto our service portfolio. Find more detailed information in the “project results“ tab.

 

“Laser Cleaning“

Markets

Laser technology can solve demanding tasks in many different industries. Whether as a tool in automotive production, as measuring equipment in the environmental sector, as a diagnostic or therapeutic instrument in medical technology or as a communication medium in space technology, the laser provides multiple uses with high productivity and high efficiency.

Read up about the innovations of the Fraunhofer ILT in a few selected industries and convince yourself!

 

Research with us!

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about general topics! Our contact persons are happy to get in touch with you.

Our services cover a wide range of topics. Related topics to cleaning and further research and development focuses can be found under the following links.