Laser vs Media

Laser Ablation vs Media Blasting

Understanding the benefits of laser ablation starts with understanding available options for effectively cleaning materials like metals, plastics, wood and other organic substrates.

The most popular solution for decades has been media blasting. Using many different materials, from sand, beads and nut shells to chemicals or water, media blasting is an effective way to clean substrates, but may cause significant damage.

Sand blasting requires costly setup and cleanup efforts and require equipment downtime. Media Blasting

Media blasting is best used on large surface areas outdoors due to the extensive cleanup required after the substrate has been cleaned.

In addition, media blasting requires large amounts of consumable material to perform the task of bringing a substrate back to original condition.

Unfortunately, media blasting also removes material from the substrate, compromising the materials original specifications.

Laser ablation eliminates costly setup and is safe for the environment. Laser Ablation

In contrast, laser cleaning solutions have a considerable upfront cost, requires training and, in some cases, requires fume extraction as the vaporized particulates could be hazardous for technicians.

As safety is important for any solution, once safety concerns have been met, a laser cleaning solution is a relatively low-cost solution as there are little to no costly preparation requirements and cleanup is virtually eliminated.

Safe work strategies for industrial jobsite workforces
Workforce Safety

Technicians are trained, certified and required to use masks and fume extractors on many industrial sites.