FAQ

Laser cleaning works by delivering short, powerful bursts of energy to a surface. Different types of dirt, paint, or rust need different energy levels to be removed effectively. Darker colors absorb more energy, while lighter ones reflect it. Stronger coatings or tough materials, like aviation paint or hardened oxides, require more powerful pulses. The key is finding the right balance between pulse energy, speed, and focus—too much energy can damage the surface, too little won’t clean it. Shorter pulses also reduce heat, making the process safer for delicate surfaces.

To determine the right settings for your application, P-Laser offers a feasibility test that helps identify the most effective and safe laser cleaning parameters for your material or surface.

Yes, our lasers offer a powerful, sustainable alternative to traditional energy-intensive processes. With high precision and low environmental impact, they can drive industries toward reduced carbon emissions and enhance efficiency across various sectors. The versatility of pulsed lasers represents a step forward in aligning cutting-edge technology with the global push for sustainability. P-laser can help you to achieve this goal, with our world wide partner network we are at the front in every country to bring industrial innovations.

A modulated continuous-wave (CW) laser emits a constant beam that is electronically switched on and off. A true pulsed laser delivers short, high-intensity bursts of energy. In laser cleaning, pulsed lasers are generally safer for the base material because they concentrate energy in brief pulses, reducing heat buildup and the risk of damage. CW lasers, by contrast, can overheat and harm the surface if not carefully managed.

Yes, our systems are designed with high wall-plug efficiency in mind. This refers to how effectively electrical power from the outlet is converted into usable laser light. Our pulsed fiber lasers typically achieve much higher efficiency compared to older laser technologies, meaning less energy is wasted as heat. This not only reduces power consumption but also lowers cooling requirements, making P-Laser systems both energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.

Yes, it is possible to pass transparent materials like water and glass. The laser will lose a bit of the power by absorption and efficiency losses due to reflection of the surface depending on surface quality.  

 Yes, direct exposure to the laser beam can cause serious injuries, especially to the eyes and skin. P-Laser systems emit high-intensity laser radiation that can burn skin or cause permanent eye damage if safety procedures are not followed. To ensure safe operation, always wear certified laser safety goggles and use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves and protective clothing. Only trained personnel should operate the system, and all safety protocols must be strictly observed.

Lasers are costly tools and are often 2-4 times more expensive than traditional processes like sandblasting dry ice and chemicals. However, the operational costs are only 1/10 of the traditional techniques.

A chemical process is very cheap to start but has high operational costs and unacceptable human risks today when an accident occurs. Blasting processes have a high blasting material, energy - and maintenance cost. The dry ice process is probably the most costly around. First, we need compressed air to produce dry ice with a high carbon footprint. We know dry ice is promoted as a renewable stream from other processes, but finally, it is fake news. It is a waste stream product, creating afterwards more carbon dioxide. So yes, laser cleaning is the ultimate integration process in a brand-new process line. Unfortunately, in 90% of the cases, we want to replace a  multi-functional traditional process. Do we have a chance?    Absolutely, if you need a low-cost production on demand. . Only top efficient production organisations can capitalize massively by investing and adapting their processes. They will take the lead in their segment. Integrating lasers will eliminate unclear quality problems because now you have a controllable process, not adding extra production problems.

Fibre lasers have built-in security devices to avoid this kind of error. After a fibre cut, the laser source will be cut off in micro-seconds. If the light should come out, it will be very fast divergent and lose all density to provoke danger.

Yes, the fibre length is limited by the amount of energy you can guide true a glass fibre. You have high-energy lasers and low energy density lasers. A low-density laser can have up to 100 m fibre. We produced a 2000 watt system with 100m fibre in 2021. You cannot avoid a quality change of your laser light after passing true 100 m of fibre. The power loss is very marginal, but the laser beam has lost a bit of its light quality. This will be seen as you try to focus this light at the end of the fibre.

The low-power systems ( but those are high density) will have 5-8 m as an absolute maximum for the moment. 

Air-cooled laser cleaning systems require minimal maintenance. The main tasks are keeping the protective lens and air filters clean. A dirty lens can reduce cleaning performance and may damage the optics, while clogged filters can affect cooling efficiency. Regular visual checks and careful cleaning help ensure reliable, long-term operation.

We recommend a yearly check-up of your system by P-Laser staff. We also offer a remote monitoring service, with which P-Laser staff can check alarms, temperatures, humidity etc. as a proactive tool.

To be able to suggest the right solution, we need some information on the application, such as:

• What is the application?
• Which industry are we talking about?
• Which cleaning method do you use at the moment?
• What is the contamination you want to remove? 
• What is the thickness of the layer?
• What is the type of base material?
• What is the surface (in m² or in m²/hour) that has to be cleaned?
• Do you need an in-line application?
• How often do you need to clean the material?

We always need to test the result of laser cleaning on your material, as every application is different.

The speed with which a laser can clean a surface depends on the power of the laser, the software settings, and the variables mentioned above. For example, the removal of wax from a piece of aluminum takes 12m²/hour with a 500W machine; removing blue epoxy paint takes an hour for 2m² with a 100W machine, and removing decolorisation from a weld can be done at a speed of 8.6 m/min.

However, every application has to be tested to determine the best possible cleaning speed.

Generally speaking, automated applications and robots achieve the highest cleaning speed.

Laser cleaning is a safe and controlled process, but the laser radiation can be hazardous to the eyes. Always wear certified laser safety goggles when the machine is in operation to ensure proper protection.

P-Laser Low and Mid Power Machines work with 110-220V, High Power Lasers require 380-440V.

P-Laser systems function reliably within specific technical limits: temperatures between 0°C and 38°C, and humidity levels between 25% and 55%. Outside of these conditions, the system may not operate correctly. If the environment exceeds these thresholds, climate control solutions like air conditioning or dehumidifiers are necessary to ensure proper functionality and protect the equipment.

Yes, P-Laser machines can be seamlessly integrated with robotic systems. Our laser cleaning heads are compact, lightweight, and designed for automated applications. Whether it’s mounted on a robotic arm for precision cleaning or used in fully automated production lines, P-Laser technology supports flexible and efficient robotic integration for consistent, high-quality results.

Yes, several of our installations have been running 24/7 for years with minimal downtime. P-Laser systems are built for industrial environments and designed for long-term, continuous use. With proper maintenance and monitoring, our fiber laser systems deliver consistent performance and reliability, even under demanding operating conditions. This makes them a dependable solution for production lines and other high-throughput applications.

The laser beam can go up to 20cm wide (focal length 400mm). However, this is not the most important aspect of the  laser beam. An essential element for our lasers is the CleanSweep software, which allows you to change the frequency, intensity, shape and size of the laser beam. The combination of these variables offers efficient configurations for different applications.

Yes, we can test laser cleaning on your material. After the test, we send you the test results, along with videos of the cleaning process.