Real-Time Control of Laser Coating Removal for Surface Preparation

Energy Research Company (ERCo) proposes the development of an instrument to improve laser-decoating processes through novel real-time control technology. The technology allows for precise and selective removal of the desired coating layer while preserving any underlying coatings and the base material. Because of the real-time nature of the proposed device, using the instrument will not result in a reduction in the decoating rate. The quality of the decoating process will thereby be greatly improved while throughput of the laser decoating system will be unaffected. ERCo has demonstrated the technique in its laboratory and has shown that very accurate coating removal can be obtained. In Phase I, ERCo will demonstrate the device"s ability to automatically and accurately control the removal of topcoat and/or primer layers while preserving underlying layers and the substrate material. BENEFIT: The benefits are the accurate removal of coatings while preserving underlying layers and substrate materials with an instrument that is inexpensive and self contained. This will result in reduced maintenance costs for decoating operations. The federal and civilian markets are large. The federal market includes paint and coating removal from ships, aircraft, and related equipment. The civilian market includes paint removal from commercial jetliners, ships, and bridge maintenance.