Principle and practical application of laser surface cleaning


1 Introduction

With the rapid development of science and technology, laser technology has been increasingly applied to various fields of production and life. From supermarket barcodes, laser printers to laser beauty, treatment of myopia, and is already familiar. Cutting, drilling and welding of laser equipment for industrial production is also known to many people. However, the application of laser equipment in the cleaning industry is not familiar enough and understood. Laser cleaning technology is a new type of cleaning technology that has developed rapidly in the past 10 years. It has gradually replaced traditional cleaning processes in many fields with its own advantages and irreplaceability. Why can I clean the laser device below? What can be used for cleaning? What is the efficiency of cleaning? Make a brief introduction.

2. Laser and cleaning

The traditional cleaning industry has a variety of cleaning methods, mostly using chemical and mechanical methods for cleaning. Today, China's environmental protection regulations are becoming more stringent, and people's awareness of environmental protection and safety is increasing. The types of chemicals that can be used in industrial production cleaning will become less and less. How to find a cleaner, non-damaging cleaning method is a problem we have to consider. Laser cleaning has the characteristics of no grinding, non-contact, no heat effect and cleaning of objects suitable for various materials, and is considered to be the most reliable and effective solution. At the same time, laser cleaning can solve problems that cannot be solved by traditional cleaning methods. For example, when subsurface-sized particles are adhered to the surface of the workpiece, the particles tend to stick very tightly. Conventional cleaning methods cannot remove it, and it is very effective to irradiate the surface of the workpiece with a nano laser for cleaning. Also, since the laser is non-contact cleaning of the workpiece, it is safe to clean the precision workpiece or its fine parts, and the accuracy can be ensured. Therefore, laser cleaning has unique advantages in the cleaning industry.

Why can the laser be used for cleaning? Why is there no damage to the object being cleaned? First understand the nature of the laser. Simply put, the laser is no different from the shadows (visible and invisible) that are around us, except that the laser uses the cavity to concentrate the light in the same direction, with simple wavelengths, coordination, etc. The performance is better, so theoretically all wavelengths of light can be used to form the laser, but in reality it is limited by the few media that can be excited, so the laser source that is stable and suitable for industrial production is quite limited. Probably used are Nd:YAG lasers, carbon dioxide lasers, and excimer lasers. Since Nd:YAG lasers can be more suitable for industrial applications through optical fiber transmission, they are also used in laser cleaning.

3. Advantages of laser surface cleaning

Compared with traditional cleaning methods such as mechanical friction cleaning, chemical corrosion cleaning, liquid solid impact cleaning, high frequency ultrasonic cleaning, laser cleaning has obvious advantages.

3.1 Laser cleaning is a “green” cleaning method. It does not need to use any chemicals and cleaning liquid. The washed waste is basically solid powder, small in size, easy to store, recyclable, and can easily solve the chemical cleaning. Environmental pollution problem;

3.2 The traditional cleaning method is often contact cleaning, which has mechanical force on the surface of the cleaning object. The surface of the damaged object or the cleaning medium adheres to the surface of the object to be cleaned, cannot be removed, and causes secondary pollution, no grinding and no laser cleaning. Non-contact makes these problems easy to solve;

3.3 The laser can be transmitted through optical fiber, cooperate with the robot and the robot to easily realize long-distance operation, and can clean the parts that are difficult to reach by traditional methods. This can be used in some dangerous places to ensure the safety of personnel;

3.4 Laser cleaning removes all types of contaminants from the surface of various materials to the level of cleanliness that cannot be achieved with conventional cleaning. Moreover, it is also possible to selectively clean the surface of the material without damaging the surface of the material;

3.5 Laser cleaning efficiency is high, saving time;

3.6 Purchase of laser cleaning system Although the initial one-time investment is higher, the cleaning system can be used stably for a long time, and the running cost is low. Take the case of LATELLASTE of Quantel, the operating cost per hour is only about 1 Euro, and more importantly, it is convenient. Automate operations.

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Sand Casting

WHAT IS SAND CASTING?

Sand casting is a versatile manufacturing process used to create metal parts by pouring molten metal into a sand mould.

The process begins with the creation of a pattern, representing the final shape and dimensions of the part, which is then placed in a two-part sand mould. Once the mould is prepared, the pattern is removed, leaving behind a precise impression of the desired part. Molten metal is poured into the mould cavity, where it solidifies and takes on the shape of the part. After cooling, the sand mould is broken apart to reveal the metal casting inside.

At A & M Manufacturing Company Ltd. Our associated sand casting foundries are capable of producing a wide range of metal parts, from small components to large machinery parts, and can be used with both ferrous and non-ferrous metals. Examples of parts produced using this technique include engine blocks, cylinder heads, gears, pulleys, and ornamental metalwork.

SAND CASTING PROCESS

1. Pattern Making
The first step is creating a pattern that represents the shape of the desired casting. Patterns are typically made from materials like wood, metal, or plastic and are designed to be slightly oversized to compensate for metal shrinkage during cooling. The pattern includes allowances for machining and draft, facilitating its removal from the mould.

2. Mould Making
The mould is made by packing special moulding sand around the pattern in a moulding box, known as a flask. The moulding sand is mixed with clay and water or other bonding agents to help it retain its shape. The process involves two halves of the mould: the cope (top half) and the drag (bottom half). The pattern is placed in the drag, and sand is packed around it. Then, the cope is placed on top, and sand is packed into it as well. Once the sand has been compacted, the pattern is carefully removed, leaving a cavity that mirrors the shape of the pattern.

3. Core Making
If the casting requires internal cavities or undercuts, cores made of sand are used. These cores are formed in separate core boxes and are positioned in the mould cavity before the molten metal is poured. They remain in place during casting to form the internal features of the part.

4. Melting and Pouring
The metal, which can vary from iron, steel, aluminium, bronze, and more, is melted in a furnace to a specific temperature. Once the metal reaches the desired temperature and is thoroughly molten, it`s carefully poured into the mould cavity. Pouring must be done at a controlled rate to avoid turbulence and splashing, which can create defects in the casting.

5. Cooling
After the molten metal has been poured, it begins to cool and solidify within the mould. The cooling time can vary based on the metal used and the size of the casting. It`s crucial to allow the metal to cool completely to ensure the integrity and strength of the casting.

6. Mould Breakaway
Once the metal has solidified, the sand mould is broken apart to release the casting. This step is irreversible; moulds made from sand are destroyed during the casting removal, meaning a new mould is needed for each casting.

7. Cleaning and Finishing
The casting is then cleaned of any sand, scale, and excess metal from the gates, runners, and risers used to channel the molten metal into the mould. Cleaning can involve processes like shot blasting, grinding, and cutting. Further finishing processes, such as machining, painting, or coating, may be applied to achieve the desired surface finish and dimensional accuracy.

8. Inspection
Finally, the casting undergoes various inspections for quality assurance, including dimensional accuracy, surface finish, and structural integrity. Non-destructive testing methods such as X-ray, ultrasonic, or magnetic particle inspection may be used to detect internal defects.



Sand Casting Aluminum,Green Sand Casting,Sand Casting,Sand Casting Stainless Steel

A & M Manufacturing Company Ltd , https://www.am-manufacturing.com

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