Laser cleaning technology finds extensive applications in the sealing industry, where it is utilized for various tasks, including removing oil stains from stainless steel strips during metal gasket production, cleaning oil and residue from seal molds, and modifying the surface of special sealing materials. The sealing industry encompasses a wide range of products, such as O-rings, skeleton oil seals, and sealing gaskets. Laser cleaning achieves a thorough cleaning effect by instantly evaporating and peeling off oil stains from the metal surface when the laser beam is irradiated.
Laser Cleaning Equipment for the Sealing Industry
One significant application of laser cleaning in the sealing industry is the cleaning of metal wound gaskets before entering the winding machine. Traditionally, chemical immersion is used for surface treatment, but laser cleaning can meet the desired cleaning standards. The main challenges lie in adapting the cleaning width and production line speed. Conventional laser cleaning equipment typically has a width between 150-200mm, whereas stainless steel strips’ width ranges from 1100-1500mm. Additionally, the fast production pace of steel coil cleaning, usually above 10M/min, poses a speed mismatch issue, as laser cleaning operates at a much lower pace. To address these challenges, our company has developed an ultra-wide laser cleaning equipment, providing a solution for the cleaning width adaptation. However, further optimization is still needed to make the solution more cost-effective.
For cleaning oil and residue from the surface of seal molds, a flat mold laser cleaning equipment with three-dimensional five-axis movement and high freedom of motion has been developed. This equipment is suitable for various types of flat molds, including brake pad molds in the friction industry and seal molds in the sealing industry. It efficiently removes rust prevention oil and residual substances from the cavity’s surface after multiple pressing molds. The equipment can also be equipped with a displacement machine to accommodate complex molds. Compared to sandblasting cleaning, this laser cleaning method is not only more environmentally friendly but also ensures no damage to the cavity, reducing the product defect rate.
Non-metallic sealing gaskets represent another essential category in the sealing industry. However, these materials have a high absorption rate for fiber lasers in the 1064-1080nm band, which can cause damage under normal circumstances and renders them unsuitable for typical process applications. However, for a few special materials, such as rubber materials attached with poly methyl hydrogen siloxane, laser cleaning can be used as a modification method. While removing the coating, it also increases the surface friction coefficient to 35mN/m and surface tension to above 38dyne/cm.
Moreover, laser cleaning performs exceptionally well in cleaning oxide layers and dotting fuzz on ceramic materials and composite material sealing components. Additionally, it effectively removes sealing glue on metal surfaces. The performance of laser cleaning varies depending on the material and its laser absorption rate, making it a suitable supplementary process for modifying specific sealing materials’ surfaces.
In conclusion, laser cleaning equipment has become a valuable asset in the sealing industry, offering efficient and environmentally friendly solutions for various cleaning and modification tasks. As the technology continues to advance, its versatility and effectiveness in different applications are expected to grow, making it an indispensable tool for maintaining high-quality standards and sustainability in the industry.
