Laser Ablation for Ship Maintenance
naval ship at sea

Will Laser Ablation Testing By The Navy Be A Success?

Based on an article in The Maritime Executive from December 2020, the U.S. Navy is testing laser ablation (laser-blasting) as an efficient alternative to “chipping, sandblasting, or hydroblasting” when preparing metal for painting. The Navy sees how the aerospace industry is successfully using lasers to remove paint from aircraft components and may integrate this method into their ship maintenance protocols. The Navy recognizes that laser-blasting leaves clean and bare metal substrates without leaving residue like dust, chips, and blasting grit.

Eliminating Consumable Cleaning Expense Improves Financial Results

Laser Photonics has several proven laser-blasting products that will uniquely fit the efficiency and sustainability goals that the Navy and other organizations must meet.

This video explains how the CleanTech™ Handheld LPC-200CTH can lower maintenance costs and increase operational efficiency There is no messy cleanup after using CleanTech handhelds—saving time and cleanup expense.

Avoid Silica Health Hazards

The 7th Fleet at Yokosuka, Japan, is testing laser ablation because the method can “improve conditions for its workforce and accelerate its workflow.” Sailors and other workers will not be exposed to harsh silica molecules in the air, which is a known occupational hazard of sandblasting. Protection from silicosis and scleroderma require workers to wear protective suits, masks and headgear. Laser blasting is an excellent choice to avoid these health concerns.

Safety Using Lasers

Laser Ablation is much safer than alternative coatings removal processes, however, businesses must still exercise safety precautions while using lasers as a heat source. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) do provide important information when using heat to remove paint and other substances. Using laser rated protective eyewear and face masks is a necessity while operating Class IV lasers. Using a fume extractor also helps to remove fumes from the air during laser blasting. Operating lasers under these circumstances ensures a completely safe, and more efficient method of coatings removal for shipyards.

Laser Photonics Corporation

About Laser Photonics Corporation

Laser Photonics Corporation, based in Orlando, Florida, is the leading industrial company in high-tech laser systems for laser cleaning, laser marking, laser cutting, laser engraving, 3D printing, and other materials processing applications. Our systems are—currently and historically—used by manufacturers in the aerospace, automotive, defense, energy, industrial, maritime, and medical industries around the world. The Laser Photonics brand is associated with a number of worldwide licenses and patents for innovative and unique laser products and technologies. The brand has, for over three decades, been the workhorse of industry-standard laser subtractive manufacturing.

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