The laser cleaning rate calculator estimates how many square meters per hour a pulsed or continuous-wave laser cleaner can treat, and how long a job will take. For pulsed lasers it also gives pulse energy, fluence, peak power and the scan speed needed for your overlap.
Rates in practice depend on the coating and how firmly it bonds. Send us a sample for a cleaning test, or see our laser cleaning machines.
How the cleaning rate is calculated
A pulsed cleaning laser places a grid of overlapping spots on the surface. The spacing between spots, multiplied by the number of pulses per second, gives the area covered per second:
For a continuous-wave laser the rate is the scan width times the head travel speed, divided by the number of passes.
What the numbers mean
- Fluence decides whether a layer is removed. Each coating has a threshold below which nothing happens; above it, more fluence removes more per pass. Too much can mark the base metal.
- Overlap trades speed for evenness. 30–60% overlap is common; less leaves untreated gaps, more slows cleaning and heats the surface.
- Passes depend on thickness and adhesion. Light rust may need one pass; thick paint or mill scale can need several.
- The calculated rate is geometric. Real rates are lower because of repositioning and edges; use it to compare settings and machines.
Pulsed or CW for cleaning?
| Pulsed | Continuous wave | |
|---|---|---|
| Heat into the part | Very low | Higher |
| Best for | Molds, precision parts, thin sheet, delicate substrates | Heavy rust and thick coatings on robust steel |
| Purchase price per watt | Higher | Lower |
Frequently asked questions
How many square meters per hour can a laser cleaner do?
It depends on power, the contamination and the finish you need. Light rust and oil come off much faster than thick paint. Use this calculator with the passes from a test on your own part.
Will laser cleaning damage the base metal?
Not when the fluence is set between the removal threshold of the coating and the damage threshold of the substrate. Pulsed lasers make that window easier to hold.