The laser cleaning cost calculator compares laser cleaning with abrasive blasting, dry ice blasting and chemical stripping. Enter your yearly area, wages and method data to see the cost per square meter for each method, the yearly saving and the payback period of a laser cleaner.
| Laser cleaning | Abrasive blasting | Dry ice blasting | Chemical stripping | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleaning ratePer operator, incl. passes | ||||
| Prep and cleanupMasking, containment, collecting media, rinsing | ||||
| Media and consumablesAbrasive, dry ice, chemicals, nozzles | $ | $ | $ | $ |
| Waste disposal | $ | $ | $ | $ |
| Power drawIncl. compressor | kW | kW | kW | kW |
| Equipment price | $ | $ | $ | $ |
Laser cleaning rates vary most with the contamination. Send us a sample part for a measured rate, or see Arcus CNC laser cleaning machines.
How the comparison works
Depreciation is the equipment price divided by the write-off years and operating hours per year. Payback compares the laser's price with its yearly saving against each other method.
Where the costs hide
- Abrasive blasting is fast, but needs media, a large compressor, containment and cleanup, and disposal of contaminated grit.
- Dry ice leaves no media residue but uses a lot of ice and compressed air, and is noisy.
- Chemical stripping needs dwell time, rinsing and hazardous waste disposal.
- Laser cleaning is slower on heavy coatings, but has almost no consumables, no secondary waste beyond fumes captured by the extractor, and little prep, so it often wins on total cost per square meter and on in-place or precision work.
When laser cleaning is the right choice
Mold cleaning without downtime, weld preparation and post-weld cleaning, selective coating removal, parts that must not change dimension, and work where grit or chemicals cannot be contained. For very large areas of heavy rust on structural steel, blasting is often still faster; the calculator helps you find the break-even point.
Frequently asked questions
Is laser cleaning cheaper than sandblasting?
Often per square meter once media, disposal, containment and cleanup are counted, especially on smaller areas and precision work. Blasting is usually faster on large areas of heavy rust. Enter your own values to compare.
What does a laser cleaner cost to run?
Mainly electricity and the operator. There is no abrasive or chemical to buy, and protective windows are the main consumable.