AUTOMATED LASER CLEANING AS A CUSTOMIZED SOLUTION
ELPO implements customized turnkey solutions for fully or partially automated laser cleaning – precisely tailored to the processes, components and production environments of our customers. Laser cleaning is not considered as an isolated process, but designed as a functional part of an integrated production process chain.
We fully integrate the technology into existing or new production environments – including conveying technology, warehouse technology and transfer systems, as well as intelligent process and safety logic. The focus lies on the automated cleaning of tools, for example core shooting tools used in foundry applications. However, the system can be flexibly designed for other components, workpieces or products as well.
Depending on the specific requirements, we combine laser cleaning with additional processes such as dry ice blasting, manual pre-cleaning or customer-specific special processes. The integration of autonomous transport systems or existing production equipment is also possible at any time.
As the automation interface, ELPO takes full responsibility for integrating the laser cleaning process into the production workflow. The laser cleaning unit itself is supplied by specialized technology partners and integrated by us into the overall system in a way that ensures safe, reproducible and economically efficient operation.
Your Benefits at a Glance
- Up to 80% lower CO₂ consumption through intelligent process combination (when dry ice blasting is currently used)
- Significantly reduced energy costs compared to dry ice blasting
- Up to 75% shorter cleaning times and increased equipment uptime
- Reduction of personnel requirements to approx. 25% through automated operation
- Consistently high cleaning quality for stable production processes
- Improved ergonomics and reduced workload for skilled personnel
The values mentioned above were achieved in implemented projects. Depending on the individual system design and process environment, further savings may be possible.
Practical Example from an Implemented System
In a customer-specific system, ELPO implemented a partially automated solution for tool cleaning including an integrated warehouse, individually developed conveying technology and ergonomically designed rotating fixtures for tools weighing up to 10 tons. The cleaning concept combines laser cleaning and dry ice blasting within a coordinated process.
The tools are automatically retrieved from the warehouse and transported into a sound-insulated cleaning cabin. There, the tools are disassembled and precisely clamped into individually developed heavy-duty 360° rotating fixtures. Despite the enormous mass, the tools are precisely aligned for the subsequent processes.
The components are then precisely laser-cleaned and subjected to a dry ice blasting post-cleaning process.
After completion of the cleaning process, the cleaned tools are automatically reintegrated into the production or warehouse workflow. The result is significantly shorter cleaning times, reduced CO₂ emissions and energy consumption, improved cleaning quality and sustainable relief for operating personnel.
Our Expertise
- Automated laser cleaning systems
- Process-specific conveying, warehouse and transfer systems
- Integration of additional cleaning processes (e.g. CO₂ cleaning cabin)
- Development of customer-specific special solutions, prototypes and handling concepts – including solutions for heavy, complex or difficult geometries
- Customer- and process-oriented consulting, planning and full implementation – from design and manufacturing to commissioning, service and after-sales support
ELPO does not consider laser cleaning as a standalone process, but as an integral component of automated and economically efficient production.