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Questions Answered During Our Lab Testing

08/30/2020
Laser Cleaning

Before you’re ready to use your laser solution — and prior to it being customized to fit your needs — your product must first be tested in our on-site lab. Our lab testing is proven to identify whether or not laser cleaning is the right solution for your needs and which laser system is best to complete the task to ensure the desired result. That’s because the lab testing helps answer a variety of questions that pop up during the sales process. What are the most common questions? And, how does lab testing help answer them?

5 QUESTIONS ANSWERED DURING LAB TESTING

1. ARE LASER CLEANING SOLUTIONS RIGHT FOR YOUR PRODUCT?

The first thing we’ll need to determine during lab testing is whether or not laser cleaning solutions are a viable option for removing contaminants from your product. Not only do we look at how effective the cleaning is, but we also test how quickly your product can be cleaned and what setup allows cleaning to occur without damaging the substrate. This is largely dependent on the materials that your product is made from, with the most viable options being metals — such as steel, iron, copper, aluminum, and more — and ceramics. Products made from wood, glass, and rubber are less suitable. But, we often find that lab testing is the best way to rule out some unique products.

2. WHICH LASER POWER IS BEST FOR YOUR PRODUCT?

Our laser solutions come as low-, mid-, and high-powered options. While the quality of laser cleaning isn’t impacted by the power of the laser, the intensity and size of the beam are often different from one to the next. During our lab testing, we’ll determine which intensity is needed for your desired effect and — in consideration with how your laser will be used — we’ll determine if a low-, mid-, or high-powered laser system is the best option.

3. IS HANDHELD OR AUTOMATIC A MORE VIABLE OPTION?

In some cases — especially where many different part numbers are being used — handheld lasers are needed for quick cleaning projects or where products are intricate. But, if you’re using your laser solution for mass production, you may look for a more automated solution. Your needs, combined with what was determined for the best processing ability and the type of laser solution most suitable for your project, help answer the question of whether a handheld or an automatic laser is best for you.

4. WHICH ENVIRONMENT IS BEST FOR YOUR LASER SOLUTION?

Not all laser solutions are designed for the same environment. In the case of cleaning baking plates, for example, the laser solution must operate at extremely hot temperatures. That’s why we’ll test our laser solutions in a similar environment to how they’ll be used to clean your product. In our lab, we’ll find the answer to questions like:

How will parts/pieces be presented to the laser?
How hot/humid is the environment that the laser will operate in?
How quickly will the product move?
Where in the facility does the laser system need to be?

By finding the answers to these questions, we can determine the right laser system for your operational environment. And, if we don’t have an existing laser solution already, we can use these answers to determine the specific setup needed.

5. WHAT UNIQUE CONSIDERATIONS NEED TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE LASER SOLUTION?

Businesses all over the world have used our laser solutions for removing contaminants safely and effectively. And, while we have a fairly good idea of what our lasers can and cannot clean, there are still many products that we’ve never had the honor of testing. Such was the case when we tested decontamination for a nuclear power plant in 2012. During our lab testing, we can observe and test all operational considerations to determine if laser solutions are the best option for your project.

HOW DOES TESTING WORK?

Our on-site lab is located in Kansas City, Missouri. We have a controlled environment and tools that are optimal for testing your product. Once we have your product, testing typically takes two weeks. We’ll keep you updated through the testing process to let you know what we’re learning and what we’re beginning to think is the best solution for your product.

Once we know which laser solution you’ll need, then we’ll work with our cleanLASER partner to develop a customized system built specifically for you. Because our laser systems are built-to-order, this process can take up to four months before your laser solution will be delivered to you. This ensures that your laser works optimally from the moment it’s received.

WHATEVER YOUR NEEDS, ADAPT LASER HAS A SOLUTION FOR IT

Adapt Laser specializes in the know-how and application of laser cleaning solutions. We offer products with a range between 20 and 2,000 watts and provide training to ensure your employees can get the most from their laser cleaning solutions. We’ve equipped a variety of industries and companies with laser cleaning solutions — including military and defense for the US Airforce and Navy — and hundreds of organizations trust our state-of-the-art laser cleaning solutions.