Automated Laser Cleaning / Ablation as a Novel Tool in Aerospace Manufacturing

This presentation will explore the progress in laser technology that has made them the tool of choice for mass manufacturing, with a focus on laser cleaning/ablation. Laser technology has revolutionized the way we manufacture, maintain, repair, and overhaul aerospace components. Thorough cleaning is a critical step in these processes, whether before coating, surface polishing or roughening, or any joining operations like welding or brazing. Currently, three main technologies are used for coating stripping and surface preparation for coating: abrasive grit blasting, abrasive water jetting, and chemical cleaning/stripping. However, these technologies negatively impact the environment and health and are slow and expensive. This presentation aims to introduce a laser cleaning solution that can replace these legacy technologies. Although laser cleaning/ablation is known in the industry, its use is limited due to the limited access to correct laser sources and concerns of part damage by laser heat. The presentation will showcase successful laser cleaning applications for different cleaning/ablation tasks, resulting in improved productivity, repeatability, direct cost savings, and part performance improvements in quality. Laser technology has proven to be a game-changer in the manufacturing industry.