Use cleaning mode safely¶
Laser cleaning does not make contamination disappear; it converts surface material into particles, fumes, and residues. Identify what is being removed before choosing the process or extraction/filter strategy.
Material and coating gate¶
Do not process unknown coatings. Determine the substrate and whether the surface contains lead paint, chromium/cadmium plating, galvanized zinc, oils, solvents, composites, asbestos-containing material, or other hazardous contamination. Obtain competent industrial-hygiene advice where needed. Capture the plume near its source and manage filters/residue as contaminated waste when applicable.
Open-beam controls still apply
Cleaning uses a high-power beam even when the visual result seems gentle. Establish a wavelength-rated controlled area, barriers, access control, correctly specified PPE, a suitable beam stop/working surface, fire protection, and functioning interlocks. Avoid specular metal paths.
Setup¶
- Convert to the correct handheld cleaning head/configuration under isolation.
- Inspect protective optics and fit the clean tip/nozzle/accessory specified for cleaning.
- Secure the work and position local extraction so it captures plume without entering the beam path.
- Select cleaning mode—not welding or cutting—and a Gweike-supplied conservative baseline for the actual source/head.
- Define a small test patch in a low-consequence area.
- Plan a consistent scan direction, overlap, stand-off, and cable route.
Test and evaluate¶
Run one short controlled pass. Allow the surface to cool and inspect under good light. Evaluate removal, substrate discoloration, texture, heat tint, distortion, redeposition, and whether residue is escaping capture. If more cleaning is needed, prefer controlled additional passes or a reviewed scan/energy change rather than dwelling in one spot.
Stop conditions¶
Stop for burning coating, uncontrolled plume, unknown odor/material, melting/pitting/warping, a growing hot spot, optic contamination/damage, source/cooling alarm, an unsafe reflection, or a safety/trigger fault. Do not use compressed air to disperse contaminated dust through the workshop.
For a cylindrical part, also apply the rotary cleaning and welding setup and prove rotation with laser output disabled before processing.