Not only is laser cleaning now known in the automotive industry, but it is also very popular for many reasons. No wonder, then, that more and more companies are using this process to prepare the surfaces on which their employees will work to carry out the next steps.
It is that this form of cleaning uses a laser beam that is able to remove all contaminants that may be on a surface. By coming into contact with the metal surface, even in small pulses measurable in nanoseconds, the effect is immediate. The intensity of the light is absorbed by the contaminant and acts quickly to eliminate it. Either it changes it into a gaseous state, or it causes the release of the particles which will be filtered afterwards so that nothing more appears there.
A laser that only hits what it should hit
However, what makes the laser beam even more effective and appreciated in the field of cleaning is that it does not touch metal. The laser can remove any type of contaminant without attacking the base material. This is valuable for builders.
As a result, companies can use it without fear on metal surfaces of all kinds and afford optimal cleaning before moving on to the next steps, whether we think of welding, painting, powder coating, gluing or assembly.
The method also has the advantage of being durable and of being able to be used in a variety of applications which could not be possible with traditional processes such as abrasive blasting, grinding or chemical cleaning, in particular, processes which can sometimes also damage or wear the surfaces, or even make them irregular.
Laser cleaning therefore eliminates all these disadvantages and could moreover prove to be particularly useful in the cleaning of parts intended for the aerospace industry, among others, while reducing the processing steps in this field.
For example, consider an aircraft parts supplier that uses laser processing to clean the surfaces of its parts while creating what it calls “ribbing” on the surfaces. We’re talking about tiny lateral grooves in the upper layers of the surface that improve air circulation and reduce fuel consumption, which is not to be sneezed at these days either, we will agree.
Development taking place in Quebec
It will be understood that the laser process has begun to stir the imagination and attract the attention of certain manufacturers for some time. In Quebec, some have smelled the advantages of this process. This is particularly the case of the company Laserax, which is established in Quebec City and which was founded by Alex Fraser and Xavier Godmaire.
PHOTO EDOUARD PLANTE-FRÉCHETTE, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Laserax is a Quebec company that manufactures industrial lasers.
Within this company, the laser was already used to engrave metals, an activity which is however losing some popularity. On the other hand, the avenue of cleaning has paved the way for a whole new activity which seems all the more profitable since it allows Laserax to integrate the vast world of manufacturers of electric car batteries. The company is also in the process of carving out a place for itself in the United States and Europe. The future looks promising in this sphere.
It must be said that his process is useful and very fast.
Using its technology, the Quebec company has developed a laser that can completely clean the battery, so that the surface will be free of any trace, or even any layer of oxidation, before moving on to assembly. The durability of the battery is improved in addition to increasing its performance.
The precision is also an appreciable quality to note, because, the laser being able to be pre-programmed, it can clean only certain very precise zones, those which are necessary for welding for example.
The battery cleaning device designed by Laserax becomes a complete solution for applications related to battery modules that circulate on a conveyor. It can be used to clean, texture and mark battery components in one go. Vision cameras can also be installed to control the quality of the part, making it an attractive product that is gaining ground, one can understand.
By innovating in the way of cleaning the batteries, it is now possible to maximize the life of the product. One can easily imagine this cleaning option becoming popular elsewhere. We could see it in mechanical garages, which could certainly find multiple applications there.
Finally, since these machines are from Quebec, it is good to see that a technology from here can pave the way for such great synergy between the automobile industry here and elsewhere.