Portable Laser Removal Tool

ABSTRACT: The proposed portable, hand-held laser tool will enable efficient field or depot maintenance of specialty coatings and outer mold line (OML) materials on advance Air Force weapon systems. Laser pulses are scanned over a coated surface with optimal power, energy and positional control to remove a specific thickness without risk of damage to the substrate material. In Phase 1, the contractor demonstrated the feasibility of using closed loop electronics to automatically remove operator-specified layers of multi-layer coatings. The operator selects the surface color for removal and designates a specific removal area. When the system is triggered, the laser produces pulses at a rate of 10,000 per second, and optics in the tool move the laser target point so that the pulses cannot dwell on one spot. Between pulses, sensors interrogate the surface and electronics compare the sensor signal to an operator-specified criterion. The Phase II system concept will not involve robotic positioning, but a COTS counter-weight positioning device will be included in the design to relieve the operator of the requirement to lift the tool, its umbilical, and waste collection hose. The operator will receive graphical interface information from position tracking sensors to place the tool in the optimum position for coatings removal. To focus SBIR funds on product development, the contractor will provide a legacy laser but conduct product design for a state of technology COTS laser. The goal of the project is to build and demonstrate a field-worthy production prototype with a capability of at least TRL 7. Lasertronics anticipates participation of subject matter experts from OEM organizations and testing services of a ARL-Penn State an experienced UARC BENEFIT: Cost effective, less time consuming aircraft maintenance