Laser Cleaning and Coatings Removal

WP-139

Objective

The objective of this effort is to provide a field demonstration of a prototype laser-based facility to demonstrate environmentally acceptable and cost competitive cleaning and coatings removal from weapon system components. This project will design a self-contained cleaning and coating removal system, design a waste product collection system, and complete preliminary systems engineering. The design will be approved by engineering, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

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Technical Approach

This effort will implement the technical approach determined in the FY 1993 preliminary design and expand this to a detailed final design. Additionally, this program will fabricate, evaluate, develop, and demonstrate a state-of-the-art automated, controllable coating removal and cleaning system (a repair or remanufacturing cell or process). Various aircraft media controls, robotics sensors, and instrumentation are currently available commercially and may be applied to the system. Software will have to be developed/modified to control the production system. Systems design must incorporate all applicable safety devices and features. The risks with this assessment are associated with availability and adequacy of Air Force, Navy, Army, and industry data. The system will maneuver the laser beam around complex geometries whether on manual or automatic control modes. All effluent gases and particulates will be treated and/or captured. Once the system is built, it will undergo a rigorous confirmation test scheme.

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Results

The laser and all the accessories was procured in FY 1998. The scope of the project has been changed from an installation specific project to a technology demonstration at the National Defense Center for Environmental Excellence (NDCEE). The National Defense Center for Environmental Excellence is in the process of inspecting and installing the Laser cleaning system.

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Benefits

This project will demonstrate a laser-based coating removal and cleaning process for a wide range of aircraft components having different sizes and materials. The recommended process is expected to be highly cost effective by eliminating the present and future air, solid, and water polluting methods. Thus, it will reduce or eliminate the costs for hazardous stripping of materials, reduce containment costs for solid, liquid and vapor waste streams, and eliminate the legal liabilities associated with waste disposal.

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Project Documents

Points of Contact

Program Manager

Weapons Systems and Platforms

SERDP and ESTCP

Project Documents

Document Types

  • Fact Sheet - Brief project summary with links to related documents and points of contact.
  • Final Report - Comprehensive report for every completed SERDP and ESTCP project that contains all technical results.
  • Cost & Performance Report - Overview of ESTCP demonstration activities, results, and conclusions, standardized to facilitate implementation decisions.
  • Technical Report - Additional interim reports, laboratory reports, demonstration reports, and technology survey reports.
  • Guidance - Instructional information on technical topics such as protocols and user’s guides.
  • Workshop Report - Summary of workshop discussion and findings.
  • Multimedia - On demand videos, animations, and webcasts highlighting featured initiatives or technologies.
  • Model/Software - Computer programs and applications available for download.
  • Database - Digitally organized collection of data available to search and access.