CL 500iM

Manual laser cleaning is often safer than abrasive blasting and chemical-based cleaning methods because it remotely delivers heat energy directly to the target and primarily produces easily-managed fumes as a waste product.

However, safe laser cleaning does require a handful of precautions, including proper PPE, fume extraction, a laser-safe area, and a Laser Safety Officer (LSO).

PPE: CL 500iM is a class 4 infrared (1064 nm) fiber laser that can cause serious eye damage and mild skin irritation. Operators must wear properly rated laser glasses and faceshields as well as fire-resistant clothing that covers exposed skin.

Depending on the application, a wearable respirator is recommended to protect operators from hazardous fumes.

Bystanders and observers must wear laser glasses at a minimum and should take care to stand at least 10 feet from the operator and never across from the pointed direction of the cleaning handpiece to avoid exposure to direct reflections.

Fume extraction: The CL 500iM extracts process fumes created by laser cleaning at their source, reducing operator exposure to safe levels in most applications. For applications that produce higher quantities of fumes, or those that may create highly toxic fumes (ex: lead-based paints, plastics), external fume extraction systems and wearable filters are recommended.

Regardless of the application, operators should only use CL 500iM in well-ventilated areas.

Laser-safe areas: A laser-safe area is an enclosed work area designed to ensure safe operation of a handheld laser and reduce the chances of unintended bystander exposure. A laser-safe area requires the laser cleaning process to be enclosed by sufficient properly-rated barriers (walls, curtains, etc.) at a minimum. It is recommended that a laser-safe area also includes a locking door or barrier integrated with the laser power interlock provided with the CL 500iM. This device instantly shuts off laser power if a door is opened, further reducing the chances of unintended bystander exposure.

Laser Safety Officer (LSO): An LSO is an individual granted responsibility over the safe operation of lasers in a facility. Most organizations do not employ full-time LSOs and simply designate an existing employee, as the position rarely requires more than a couple hours of work per month.

LSOs are legally required in many, but not all, jurisdictions. Regardless, it is recommended that any organization deploying class 4 laser equipment (such as CL 500iM) designate a trained and certified LSO to ensure proper employee training, manage a laser-safe area, source and manage appriopriate PPE, and enforce compliance with laser safety guidelines.

Formal LSO training is widely available through a variety of organizations.

CL 500iM does not require previous laser experience and is designed to deliver powerful results starting on day one. However, an understanding of basic laser principles, such as wavelength, focus distance, and pulse parameters, is recommended for achieving laser cleaning mastery.

For more information, including how to tune CL 500iM for optimal performance in different applications, users may consult the included user guide.

CL 500iM is a 500 watt nanosecond fiber laser with the power and parameters to address a wide range of common coatings and contaminants, including but not limited to:

• Rust & other oxides
• Paint & other coatings
• Oil & grease
• Particulates & deposits
• Combustion byproducts
• Biological contaminants

CL 500iM delivers powerful performance for both flat and three-dimensional workpieces, making it a strong solution for general fabrication and surface preparation work, restoration and conversation, and roughening and surface texturing.

Laser cleaning works by directing a focused laser beam onto a target surface. The contaminant or coating absorbs the energy and is vaporized, ablated, or otherwise burned away. The substrate or underlying material, which typically can absorb more energy than the contaminant before being impacted, is left clean and undamaged.

Many handheld laser cleaning machines are powered by a Continuous Wave (CW) laser. These lasers deliver a steady stream of laser energy to the target. While this is often ideal for cutting through thick steel plates, CW lasers often cause damage to or warp workpieces when used for laser cleaning.

Pulsed lasers, which are almost always nanosecond for cleaning applications, are the gold standard for the majority of material removal tasks. A pulsed mode of operation provides the operator with significantly more control over the process and makes it possible to deliver exactly the right amount of energy to the target without damaging the underlying material.

Yes. Even a powerful laser cleaning machine like the CL 500iM is not necessarily optimal for every cleaning task.

Large areas: while the CL 500iM rapidly removes a variety of common contaminants, laser cleaning requires extended periods to clean very large areas (measuring hundreds of square meters or more).

Thick coatings: very thick coatings (several millimeters or more) can require many laser cleaning passes to remove.

Blind features: like abrasive blasting, handheld laser cleaning requires line of sight, making it ineffective for hard to access features like internal channels.

While CL 500iM offers a dramatic reduction in operating costs by eliminating abrasive media and chemical solutions, it does rely on a few relatively inexpensive consumables.

Protective lens covers: depending on useage, operators must replace a simple optical cover up to a few times per month.

Extraction filters: CL 500iM utilizes an integrated fume extractor built in to the gun. The fumes are channeled to and captured by an extraction unit using standard filters, which must be replaced occasionally.

Yes, CL 500iM is highly portable and comes equipped with wheels and ergonomic handles for easy transportation.

CL 500iM can be used both in a dedicated laser-safe area and for offsite work. However, operators must take care to ensure a laser-safe working area to protect bystanders from direct and reflected laser light.