Laser cleaning systems are typically categorized into two types: Continuous Wave (CW) and Pulsed lasers, each offering distinct advantages depending on the application.
A Continuous Wave laser emits a steady, uninterrupted beam of light at a constant power level—up to 3 kilowatts, depending on system specifications. These systems are ideal for high-speed, large-area cleaning, particularly in industrial environments that demand continuous, powerful operation. For surface roughening tasks, CW lasers can also operate in a modulated mode, simulating a pulsed effect.
In contrast, a Pulsed Laser releases short, high-intensity bursts of energy, where power is concentrated into milliseconds or microseconds. The longer the interval between pulses, the greater the peak power of each burst—often reaching up to 10 times the average output power. This makes pulsed lasers ideal for precision cleaning tasks that require minimal thermal impact and substrate protection.