TLM Announce New Laser Cleaning
Technology Partnership With
4Jet Laser Technology GmbH
T
LM Laser continues to expand its
portfolio of laser-based technolo-
gies and systems, by announcing
a new partnership agreement with Ger-
man laser surface processing specialist
4Jet.
The addition of laser cleaning
technology to the company’s product
offering complements what is an
already comprehensive range of laser
processes including: welding, cutting,
marking, engraving, hardening and
3D additive layer manufacturing. In
this article, TLM director Andy Toms
explains the benefits that laser-
cleaning technology brings to a wide
range of applications and industries.
Lasers continue to find their way
into a growing number of industrial
applications, in many instances
offering a highly efficient and more
cost effective alternative to traditional
technologies and processes, and this is
certainly the case for laser cleaning.
The traditional methods used to
remove rust, debris or other surface
contamination from components
typically involve either physical contact
with the part through: brushing,
scraping, polishing and shot blasting or
alternatively through the use of dry ice
or chemical substances. Both of these
approaches have their own drawbacks
as they are either abrasive, which can
potentially damage the base material,
or in the case of chemicals somewhat
aggressive and through their use
adding to environmental pollution.
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As a result of the issues surrounding
the more traditional approaches to
component cleaning, laser cleaning is
increasingly becoming the preferred
method for rust or paint removal and
descaling operations.
The new handheld JETLASER platform
from 4JET is the latest addition to
their range of laser surface processing
systems. Potential applications are wide
and varied and include cleaning of
moulds, tools, fixtures, paint and coating
removal operations and pre-treatment
of surfaces prior to welding, glueing
or coating applications. The JETLASER
is currently available in two power
levels, 200 W & 500 W average laser
power, and is optimised for manual use
in the JETLASER M configuration or
available for integration to a robot in
the JETLASER R variant.
The hand held unit has been designed
to offer improved ergonomics and
safety. Rather than conventional single
hand devices that operate in a similar
manner to a gun, the symmetrical
4JET system is based on a two-hand
operation that provides for more
comfortable use during processing. The
3D printed enclosures on the handheld
device mean that it is extremely light to
handle and use. The unit is powered by
fibre-coupled, maintenance free solid-
state lasers, that are integrated into a
rugged mobile supply unit.
(TLM’s new partnership with 4Jet adds
a range of hand held laser cleaning
systems to the company’s portfolio)
TLM director Andy Toms commented:
“ The hand held JETLASER platform
offers an entry level, yet very powerful
solution for customers that may have a
diverse range of cleaning tasks or low
production volumes. We are delighted
to have been able to add this product
as part of our broad laser processing
portfolio”.
www.tlm-laser.com