PRECISION LASER CLEANING LEICESTER
Precision Surface Restoration|Conservation|Rust|Smoke Damage|Carbon Removal
Chemical Free Surface Cleaning
Laser Cleaning Leicester. Laser surface ablation is a technology that uses focused laser beams to remove contaminants, impurities, or coatings from surfaces in a precise and controlled manner. It is a non-contact process that can be finely adjusted to suit various materials and applications. More importantly, Laser Cleaning does not leave any mess and does not damage the material or substrate below. No harmful chemicals needed!
About Us
- Process: Laser cleaning involves directing a special laser beam at a surface to vaporise or ablate contaminants such as rust, paint, oil, or other unwanted substances. The laser’s energy is absorbed by these contaminants, causing them to be removed without damaging the underlying material.
- Types of Lasers: Common lasers used include fiber lasers, CO2 lasers, and Nd:YAG lasers. The choice of laser depends on the specific application and material.
- Control Parameters: Parameters such as laser power, pulse duration, and wavelength can be adjusted to optimise the cleaning process for different materials and levels of contamination.
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Laser Ablation Applications
Laser Cleaning Leicester offering a versatile, efficient, and environmentally friendly method that offers numerous advantages for industrial, conservation, and manufacturing applications.
- Industrial Cleaning: Removal of rust, paint, and coatings from machinery, tools, and components.
- Cultural Heritage Conservation: Cleaning of ancient artifacts, sculptures, and historical buildings without causing damage.
- Surface Preparation: Preparing surfaces for welding, bonding, or painting by removing contaminants and oxides.
Ultra Laser Cleaning Leicester
Laser Cleaning Benefits
- Precision and Control: Laser cleaning allows for precise control over the area being cleaned and the extent of cleaning, making it ideal for delicate or intricate surfaces.
- Non-Abrasive: Unlike traditional abrasive cleaning methods, laser cleaning does not wear down the material being cleaned, preserving its integrity and extending its lifespan.
- Environmentally Friendly: This method does not require chemicals or solvents, reducing environmental impact and eliminating the need for hazardous waste disposal.
- Versatility: Effective on a wide range of materials including metals, composites, plastics, and concrete. It can also be used for different types of contaminants.
- Efficiency: Laser cleaning can be automated and integrated into production lines, increasing productivity and reducing labor costs.
- Safety: Provides a safer working environment by reducing exposure to harmful chemicals and dust associated with traditional cleaning methods.
- Minimal Residue: Generates minimal waste as it primarily vaporises contaminants, simplifying post-cleaning cleanup.
Vintage Parts Restoration
- Preservation of Detail: Ensures that the fine details and historical value of the object are preserved during the cleaning process.
- Environmental Safety: Does not use harmful chemicals or solvents, making it safer for conservators and the environment.
- Efficiency: Provides a faster and more precise cleaning process compared to traditional methods, saving time and effort.
- Versatility: Effective on a wide variety of materials commonly found in vintage objects, including metals, stone, ceramics, and wood.
- Laser cleaning is an effective, precise, and environmentally friendly method for restoring vintage objects, ensuring they remain intact and preserving their historical value.
Historical Conservation
- Monuments and Statues: Efficiently removes biological growths, pollutants, and weathering products from stone and marble surfaces, preserving inscriptions and carvings.
- Historical Armour and Coins: Removes corrosion and oxidation layers from metal objects without damaging their patina or fine details.
- Paintings and Murals: Cleans soot and grime from painted surfaces, including frescoes, without affecting the original pigments or substrate.
- Ancient Vessels: Removes dirt and deposits from ceramics while preserving their glazed surfaces and decorations.
- Ultra Laser Cleaning Leicester understand that Historical Artefact Conservation must be done onsite, we are happy to travel outside of Leicestershire to offer our services around the UK for Museum, Statue, Animal Bone & Art Restoration. All quotes include fuel/mileage and VAT.
How Do Lasers Clean Surfaces?
A 1064nm laser, (1064 is the wavelength of light) typically a type of neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet (Nd:YAG) laser, is commonly used for cleaning surfaces because of its efficiency and effectiveness across a range of materials. The cleaning process involves a series of physical and chemical interactions between the laser beam and the contaminants on the surface. Here’s a brief step-by-step explanation of how a 1064nm laser cleans a surface:
1. Absorption of Laser Energy:
When the 1064nm laser beam is directed at the surface, the energy is absorbed more readily by the contaminants (such as rust, paint, or organic residues) than by the underlying substrate. This differential absorption is crucial for selective cleaning.
2. Rapid Heating:
The absorbed laser energy causes rapid heating of the contaminants. This heating is usually very localised due to the precision of the laser beam, causing the temperature of the contaminants to rise sharply.
3. Thermal Expansion and Ablation:
As the contaminants heat up, they undergo thermal expansion. If the rate of heating is high enough, it can cause the contaminants to vaporise directly or undergo thermal ablation. This process involves turning the contaminants into gas or plasma without significant heating of the underlying material.
4. Photomechanical Effects:
The rapid heating can also lead to the creation of shock waves or micro-explosions within the contaminants. This occurs because the rapid thermal expansion generates mechanical stresses that can break the bonds between the contaminant and the substrate, effectively dislodging the contaminants.
5. Particle Ejection:
Small particles or fragments that do not vaporise completely are ejected from the surface due to the pressure generated by the ablation process. These particles are typically carried away by an airflow setup in the cleaning apparatus.
6. Residue Removal:
The process leaves behind minimal residue since the majority of the contaminants are vaporised and the ejected particles are removed by the airflow. Any remaining residue can be easily cleaned up.
Control and Precision:
- Pulse Duration and Frequency: Adjustments in the laser’s pulse duration and frequency allow for control over the energy delivery, ensuring the contaminants are removed without damaging the substrate.
- Scanning System: A scanning system can be used on some lasers, to move the laser beam precisely over the surface, covering the required area efficiently and uniformly.
Environmental and Safety Considerations:
- No Chemicals Required: The process does not involve the use of chemicals or solvents, reducing environmental and health risks.
- Minimal Waste: The ablated material is usually minimal and can be collected or filtered out easily.
Applications:
The 1064nm laser wavelength is effective for cleaning various materials including:
- Metals (such as steel, aluminium, and copper)
- Plastics and composites
- Stone and concrete
- Historical artifacts and artworks where preserving the underlying material is crucial
A 1064nm laser cleans surfaces through a combination of thermal, photomechanical, and photochemical effects that result in the vaporisation, ablation, or dislodging of contaminants without damaging the substrate. This process is precise, efficient, and environmentally friendly, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.
Call Matt at Ultra Laser Cleaning Leicester Today!
Although Ultra Laser Cleaning Leicester are based in Hinckley Leicestershire, we are happy to travel around the UK with our Van & Laser to restore your items and artefacts. Please do not hesitate to get in touch for your free quote.