Coldwater Machine offers laser ablation system design and build

Coldwater Machine Co. has announced its ability to design and build laser ablation systems. Based on company standards that are adapted for specific requirements, the systems can be designed to stand alone or to be integrated into any manufacturing process that requires cleaning of parts before another operation.

The laser creates a clean, smooth surface by eliminating burrs and nicks without increasing surface roughness.

In its most recent application, the company integrated a 3- by 3-ft. laser ablation station around existing automation within a laser welding cell. In this instance, the components for cleaning travel on a conveyor into a Class 1 laser enclosure with glass tinted for viewing of laser processes. The door then comes down to enclose the part and shield the light emitted from the 100-W laser. Situated on a servo-driven powered slide unit, the part is raised up and rotated 360 degrees to ensure that dust, oil, coolant, and debris are removed from all sides.