Laser Cleaning Safety Basics: When cleaning high-value products, such as aircraft and military vehicles, there are several options. However, only one option is safe for both the person operating the cleaning tool and the material they are cleaning. Laser cleaning offers a safer alternative to sandblasting, dry ice blasting, and other cleaning methods, but there are still risks that can be easily avoided with training.
What is Laser Cleaning? Laser cleaning is a non-conductive, non-damaging, and environmentally friendly option for cleaning metal and non-metal applications. It works by dispensing thousands of focused laser pulses per second through a layer of contaminants. As the light is absorbed, the target surface material turns into a gas and is removed. This makes it an ideal solution for dealing with contaminants such as rust, oil, etc. Laser cleaning is primarily used for: Welding and bonding processes; Coating preparation; Mold tool cleaning; Nuclear decontamination; Surface preparation for NDI; Laser Cleaning Safety Basics: While laser cleaning is relatively risk-free because the laser does not eject chips or other metal debris into the space of anyone nearby - as is the case with media jetting - there are still some safety precautions when operating the tool. Before operating a cleaning laser, you should always receive training to ensure you know how to use the equipment properly and have set it up correctly.
The most important laser cleaning safety basics include:
1. Laser Safety Enclosures
Enclosures can help protect passersby and operators from specular and diffuse reflections while operating a laser cleaner. A well-designed enclosure will prevent the laser from operating when an access panel or door is open or a part is missing. Every setup should include an interlock mechanism to ensure that no one can enter the optical hazard zone while the laser is in use.
2. Personal Protective Equipment
Not all jobs require a fixed enclosure – especially when using a portable laser cleaner. However, the use of lasers does require a designated hazard zone. You should always wear laser safety glasses when operating any powered cleaning laser without an enclosure – including for anyone entering the optical hazard zone where the laser is in use. The surrounding area should also be controlled and include signage for procedures to follow. Typically, lasers produce a focused wavelength of light in a specific area, and with our laser sources, you should never allow the laser emission to come into contact with your eyes or skin. For the eyes, this includes indirect contact, such as diffuse reflections, such as when the laser emission bounces off a typical metal surface, or specular reflections, i.e. optical mirrors or optically polished surfaces. Unlike other abrasive blasting cleaning methods, gloves are not required if proper safety procedures are followed. Before operating any cleaning laser, you should receive training to understand how to use the laser properly and eliminate the risk of injury to yourself or others.
3. Other security measures
When cleaning harmful paint pollutants (such as lead or chromium -based paint), laser technology can minimize the risk of air transmission pollutants. However, these pollutants exist in the air and need to be captured. This is why our equipment design captures and proves that it is very safe when you clean. Remoraling of other forms of the dangerous layer of the media will eventually pollute the air and may cause harm to the eyes, skin, and lungs. However, because pollutants can absorb laser, break down into gas, and then capture through our unique optical design and air filtration, the risk is basically reduced. Our laser system may also need 480V. Like any other electrical solution, you should always pay attention to the correct electrical equipment lock or listing program to prevent exposure. By receiving appropriate training, you can minimize the risk of electric shock. Non -metal products -including wood, paper and other combustible materials -if the time exposed to laser radiation is long enough, it may cause flammable risk. If the beam is out of focus, the material may start heating to the burning point. It is best to remove combustible materials from the laser ablation area before cleaning.
