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

Abstract We explore progress in laser cleaning/ablation that has made laser technology the tool of choice for mass manufacturing. Lasers have revolutionized manufacturing, maintaining, repairing, and overhauling aerospace components. The requirement for thorough cleaning is a recurring theme, whether the cleaning precedes coating, provides surface polishing or roughening, or removes scale and other contaminants before joining operations like welding or brazing. Three technologies historically used for stripping coatings and surface preparation before coating are (1) abrasive grit blasting, (2) abrasive water jet, and (3) aqueous chemical baths. However, each technology negatively impacts the environment and presents health risks while being slow and expensive. Laser cleaning solutions are displacing legacy technologies based on their many merits, including speed, precision, elimination of consumables, energy efficiency, and safety. Here, we showcase successful laser applications for several cleaning/ablation tasks, resulting in game-changing productivity, repeatability, direct cost savings, and part performance improvements. We will thoroughly examine the remarkable outcomes achievable through laser cleaning, rooted in the intricate physics of ablation and the unparalleled precision and repeatability of fiber laser systems. Additionally, we will delve into the enhanced efficiency and economic advantages associated with laser-based methods, elucidating the factors contributing to the superior performance.