Comparison between Pulsed laser cleaning machine and CW laser cleaning machine

As we all know, according to the classification by laser working mode, laser cleaning machines include two types: Continuous-Wave(CW)laser cleaning machines and Pulsed laser cleaning machines.

The principles and application scenarios are different for these two kinds of laser cleaning machines.

CW:

The laser output by continuous-wave laser cleaning machines is continuous and uninterrupted. During the cleaning process, the laser energy continuously acts on the contaminants on the surface of the object being cleaned, heating them to quickly evaporate, sublime, or decompose, thereby achieving the purpose of cleaning. For example, when cleaning oil stains on a metal surface, the continuous laser beam causes the oil stains to absorb heat, reach the boiling point, and then evaporate, detaching from the metal surface.

It is suitable for cleaning contaminants on the surfaces of materials that are less sensitive to heat, such as rust and paint on the surfaces of large-scale metal structures. It is appropriate for cleaning tasks that require a large-area, stable energy input to remove relatively thick or large - area-distributed contaminants.

Pulsed Laser Cleaning Machines:

The laser emitted by pulsed laser cleaning machines is in the form of pulses, that is, the laser is output in short pulses. Each pulse has a high - energy peak and can generate an intense shock wave and high temperature in a very short time, causing the contaminants to instantly detach from the object's surface. For example, when cleaning graffiti on a stone surface, the high - energy generated by the pulsed laser can instantly peel off the graffiti paint, while causing relatively little damage to the stone itself.

Widely used for cleaning stubborn contaminants on the surfaces of high-hardness and high - brittleness materials, such as stains and impurities on the surfaces of ceramics and glass. It is effective for removing small-area contaminants that are tightly attached and difficult to clean by conventional methods.

1. Working Principle

Pulsed Cleaning Machines

Pulsed cleaning machines work by generating pulsed shock waves with a certain frequency and energy. These pulsed waves are intermittent and release high-energy in a short period, causing dirt, impurities, etc. to detach from the surface of the object being cleaned. For example, when cleaning pipes, the pulsed waves propagate inside the pipes. When they encounter a dirt layer, the instantaneous high-energy of the pulse can break the adhesion between the dirt and the pipe wall, loosen it.

It's like using a series of powerful punches to remove dirt. Each punch (pulse) is powerful, but there is a short interval in between.

CW Cleaning Machines

CW cleaning machines output energy in a continuous and stable manner for cleaning. The energy wave it outputs is continuous and uninterrupted. By continuously acting on the dirt on the surface of the object being cleaned, it uses the cumulative effect of energy to gradually decompose, emulsify, or dissolve the dirt, and then the dirt is carried away by the cleaning medium.

This is similar to using a continuous and stable water flow to wash away dirt. The water flow maintains a stable pressure and flow rate all the time and achieves the purpose of cleaning through long - term washing.

2. Cleaning Effect

Pulsed Cleaning Machines

They have an excellent cleaning effect on stubborn and tightly - adhering dirt. The high - energy of the pulse can effectively break the solid structure and adhesion of the dirt. For example, for hard dirt such as scale and rust that has accumulated inside pipes for a long time, pulsed cleaning machines can quickly break and remove them.

CW Cleaning Machines

CW cleaning machines perform well when cleaning uniformly-distributed and relatively soft - textured dirt. Due to their continuous and stable energy output, they can thoroughly clean a large area of soft dirt such as oil stains and dust.

But for very stubborn hard scale, using a CW cleaning machine alone may require a longer time and higher energy to achieve a better cleaning effect.

3. Application Range

Pulsed Cleaning Machines

They are widely used in the cleaning of various pipeline systems, such as household water pipes, heating pipes, and chemical pipelines in industry. These pipelines are prone to hard scale inside, and pulsed cleaning machines can effectively remove these dirt and restore the smoothness of the pipelines.

They are also suitable for cleaning equipment with complex internal structures, such as the inside of engine blocks and heat exchangers. The impact force of the pulse can reach every corner of these complex structures to remove dirt.

That is pulsed laser cleaning machines have a wider range of application, not only the rust of metals, but the paint, dioxide coatings, wood, bricks etc.

CW Cleaning Machines

CW cleaning machines are often used to clean objects with relatively flat surfaces and a single type of dirt, such as metal plates and glass surfaces. In industrial cleaning, they are often used to clean large - scale metal structural parts to remove oil stains and rust preventives on their surfaces.

4. Energy Consumption

Pulsed Cleaning Machines

Since pulsed cleaning machines work intermittently, they consume higher energy during the pulse - releasing period and lower energy during the pulse - interval period. Overall, their energy - use efficiency depends on parameters such as the frequency, intensity, and duration of the pulse. If these parameters can be set reasonably, in some specific cleaning scenarios, pulsed cleaning machines can achieve relatively efficient energy utilization.

For example, when cleaning pipes where the dirt can be effectively removed by the pulse energy in a short time, compared with CW cleaning machines that work continuously, pulsed cleaning machines may consume less energy.

CW Cleaning Machines

CW cleaning machines maintain a stable energy output during the working process, and their energy consumption is relatively stable. In cases where long - term continuous cleaning is required, the energy consumption of CW cleaning machines may be relatively high. However, in some scenarios where the cleaning speed is not highly required and continuous and stable cleaning is needed, their energy consumption is also acceptable.

For example, when cleaning the oil stains on the surface of large - scale metal structural parts, although the cleaning time is long, due to its stable working mode, operators can estimate the energy consumption according to the degree of oil stains and cleaning requirements.

5. Equipment Price and Maintenance Cost

Pulsed Cleaning Machines

Pulsed cleaning machines usually have a relatively high price due to their complex pulse - generating devices. Such devices require a precise control system to generate pulses with specific frequencies and energies, which increases the manufacturing cost of the equipment.

In terms of maintenance, the pulse - generating system and related control components of pulsed cleaning machines need to be regularly inspected and maintained to ensure the accuracy and stability of the pulses. Once these components malfunction, the repair cost may also be relatively high.

For example, if the pulse generator malfunctions, it may require professional technicians to repair it, and the cost of replacing related parts may be high.

CW Cleaning Machines

CW cleaning machines have a relatively simple structure, mainly a stable energy - output system, so the price is generally relatively low. Their working principle and structure make it easier to control the cost of the equipment. In some scenarios where the cleaning requirements are not particularly high, CW cleaning machines are an economical choice.

For maintenance cost, because their components are relatively simple and the probability of malfunction is relatively low, daily maintenance mainly focuses on energy - output components and cleaning medium delivery systems, and the maintenance cost is relatively lower than that of pulsed cleaning machines.

I believe that through the introduction of this article, you have a further in-depth understanding of these two types of laser cleaning machines, HS laser have been dedicating on the laser equipment industry for decades of years, we have a wealth of industry experience, our customers are from all over the globe, if you are looking for solutions in the laser cleaning machines, I believe we can solve your current problems better, if you need help on it, please feel free to contact us.

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