Pulse Laser Cleaning Solutions for Aerospace Industry
What is pulsed laser?
Pulsed laser is a form of laser that intermittently emits high-intensity energy. Each laser pulse lasts for a very short time (nanoseconds to picoseconds or even femtoseconds) but has a high energy density. This enables it to vaporize or remove contaminants from the surface of the product instantly, without heating the substrate for an extended period and causing deformation.
Advantages of high-power pulsed lasers
✅ High peak energy: concentrated energy per unit time, high efficiency, suitable for removing thick contaminated layers.
✅ Small thermal impact: instantaneous release of energy, small heat diffusion range, effectively avoiding thermal damage to the substrate.
✅ High-precision control: supports adjustment of pulse width, frequency, and energy, and can achieve layered cleaning and fixed operation.
✅ Adapt to complex structures: can be combined with automated systems or collaborative robots to achieve efficient cleaning of special-shaped structures and large areas.
Typical applications of pulse laser cleaning machines in the aerospace industry
Cleanable pollutants: oxide layer, rust, oil, carbon deposition on metal surfaces, aircraft skin, engine parts, combustion chamber, coating residues on turbine blades, adhesives, and impurities on composite surface
Application scenario examples:
Surface pretreatment before scheduled inspection of aircraft/engine.
High-cleanliness decontamination treatment of spacecraft structural parts before assembly.
Removal of micro-rust or oxide film on the surface of titanium alloy/magnesium alloy/aluminum alloy components.
Cleaning of turbine blades and cooling holes to avoid blockage that affects operating efficiency.
Rubber residues, oil, paint peeling and other pollutants accumulate on the surface of aircraft runways and taxiways all year round.
Laser Cleaning VS Traditional Cleaning
| Comparison Dimension | Laser Cleaning (HANTENCNC Pulsed Laser) | Chemical Cleaning | Mechanical Cleaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleaning Principle | Uses high-energy laser pulses to instantly vaporize or remove contaminants | Relies on acidic/alkaline chemical solvents to dissolve or react with pollutants | Physical abrasion (grinding wheels, brushes, sandblasting) |
| Workpiece Adaptability | Non-contact, suitable for complex structures and precision parts | Liquids can flow into some complex areas but may leave blind spots | Best for flat surfaces; struggles with edges and intricate geometries |
| Material Damage Risk | Adjustable parameters, minimal damage to materials | Risk of metal corrosion; residual chemicals may continue reacting | May cause scratches, deformation, or long-term wear |
| Eco-Friendliness & Safety | No chemicals, wastewater, or dust; environmentally friendly | Requires handling/storage of toxic chemicals; high waste disposal costs | Generates dust, noise, and safety hazards |
| Cleaning Effectiveness | Uniform coverage, high repeatability, and controllable visual process | Fast but inconsistent (depends on reaction time or concentration) | Manual-dependent; uneven results, especially at edges |
| Automation Level | Integrates with 3D robots or AGVs for smart automation | Low automation; relies on manual soaking or brushing | Semi-automatic or manual; difficult to automate |
| Cost | High initial investment but low upkeep (minimal consumables) | High recurring costs (chemicals require frequent replacement) | High tool wear and labor costs |
| Safety Requirements | Safe operation with protective gear (HAMTERCRC provides goggles or masks) | Requires protection against chemical leaks and operator exposure | Requires protection against debris, noise, and dust |
| Lifespan/ROI | Long lifespan (5–10+ years); better ROI | High long-term costs (rapid chemical consumption) | Low ROI (fast equipment wear, labor-intensive) |
| Typical Applications | Engine blades, weld oxide removal, pre-coating surface prep | Large-scale degreasing, derusting, oxidation treatment | Rough surface grinding, weld spot cleaning, coating removal |
How to Choose a Laser Cleaning Machine?
The maintenance process of aerospace manufacturing has extremely high requirements for cleaning processes. Not only must complex pollutants be removed efficiently, but thermal effects must also be strictly controlled to avoid damaging the surface structure of the material. High-power pulse laser cleaning machines meet these standards. The following is a specific analysis:
3.1. High power ≠ damage to the substrate surface, but a combination of “efficiency + control.”
High-power pulse lasers generally refer to pulse laser cleaning machines with a power of 500W-2000W or more. They act on the surface through high-speed, repeated short pulses. Each pulse lasts for a very short time (nanoseconds to microseconds), with concentrated energy and minimal heat transfer, to achieve decontamination without damaging the substrate.
With the MOPA laser source, the pulse width, frequency, and power level can be flexibly adjusted to match different materials and pollution types accurately. Heavy stains are quickly removed with high energy, and delicate parts are gently cleaned more softly. So laser cleaning is a cleaning strategy that is both efficient and non-damaging to the substrate.
2. Typical pollutants in the aerospace industry
Complex types of pollutants require high-power laser cleaning machines to support a wider range of applications
Typical pollutants in the aerospace industry are as follows:
| Pollution Type | Cleaning Difficulty | Advantages of High Power Laser Cleaning Machines |
|---|---|---|
| Oil Stains | ★ | Rapid evaporation and decomposition, significantly improved efficiency |
| Surface Oxide Layer | ★★ | Concentrated pulses for quick removal, avoiding material heating and deformation |
| Welding Spatter and Slag | ★★★ | High pulse peak energy rapidly removes strongly adhered residues, avoiding repeated low-power cleaning that damages the substrate, thus improving efficiency |
| Carbon Deposits | ★★★ | High-frequency pulse energy instantly vaporizes the carbon layer, ensuring thorough removal without harming the substrate surface |
| Old Surface Coatings | ★★★ | High-energy density pulses enable efficient stripping, especially suitable for large-area coating renewal and site restoration |
3. Fast cleaning speed and high efficiency
Aerospace parts are mostly special-shaped and complex in structure, and it isn’t easy to clean the corners by manual or traditional cleaning methods thoroughly.
The high-power laser cleaning machine combined with automated equipment such as 3D collaborative robots and AGV platforms can achieve efficient coverage of the entire surface and significantly improve the efficiency of cleaning operations.
The high-power laser cleaning machine is particularly suitable for daily cleaning and maintenance of Aerospace parts, such as aircraft skins, turbine blades, combustion chambers, aerospace structural components, and pipeline interfaces, etc.
4. Reduce long-term maintenance costs and ensure operator safety
Laser cleaning does not require chemical solvents, contact, or consumable wear, thereby reducing both consumable and labor costs.
HANTENCNC’s laser cleaning machine is equipped with a smoke collection system and a laser safety protection system, which meets the operating standards of airports, hangars, and aerospace cleanrooms.
A high-power laser cleaning machine can be used for more than 10 years. The longer the machine’s service life, the more benefits and cost savings it brings.
5. Recommended power range of laser cleaning machine:
| Application Scenario | Recommended Power | Cleaning Target |
|---|---|---|
| Parts repair, hangar operations | 500W | Small metal parts, engine bay components, structural interfaces |
| Skin, landing gear, large composite components | 1000W – 1500W | Aluminum alloy skin, steel structural frames, thick oxide layers or coatings |
| Automated cleaning production line | 1500W – 2000W | Automated batch cleaning, pre-assembly treatment, pre-coating cleaning |
Consult Us Now!
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FAQs
Will laser cleaning damage the substrate?
The HANTENCNC laser cleaning machine features high-precision parameter control capabilities, ensuring the efficient removal of surface contaminants without damaging the substrate.
For the cleaning effect of high-precision materials, such as titanium alloys and aluminum alloys, numerous actual cases have proven that the cleaning process is highly stable and controllable.
Can the laser cleaning machine clean complex structures or special-shaped parts?
Yes. Laser cleaning can be integrated with 3D collaborative robots and AGV platforms, which can flexibly adapt to multi-directional and multi-angle structures, making it particularly suitable for the cleaning needs of complex parts in the aerospace industry.
Can laser cleaning replace the existing chemical cleaning process?
For most surface contaminants, such as oil, oxide layers, welding slag, and coatings, HANTENCNC’s pulse laser cleaning can completely replace traditional cleaning methods, significantly improving cleaning efficiency and consistency.
You can provide us with some samples that need to be cleaned, and we will record videos for you to test or verify the cleaning effect.
How fast is the laser cleaning? Can it meet the batch cleaning?
The cleaning speed of laser cleaning is influenced by factors such as the type of pollution, material, and area. High-power laser cleaning machines, combined with automated platforms, can perform continuous, large-scale cleaning work.
HANTENCNC can customize laser cleaning solutions to meet every customer’s specific requirements, ensuring each machine is aligned with the production capacity needs.
Does HANTENCNC offer on-site testing or sample cleaning services?
Yes. We offer free sample testing services, including on-site demonstrations or remote video evaluations, to help you visually assess the cleaning results and compatibility.
Which aerospace customers are using your equipment?
HANTENCNC has provided laser cleaning solutions for numerous aviation component manufacturers and maintenance service providers.
Under non-disclosure agreements, we can share selected customer cases or arrange visits to deployed sites for demonstration.
Does your laser cleaning machine have relevant certifications?
HANTENCNC’s equipment has passed international certifications such as CE and FDA. It is suitable for the high-standard use requirements of the aviation industry, and can provide special application reports or process verification according to customer needs.
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