Laser cleaning business: how to start

Contents:

The laser machine purchase is just a first step. Next, it’s crucial to utilize the equipment effectively. In this article, we will discuss how to organize your laser cleaning business, how to choose the machine, what examples there are, and what has to be taken into account.

Laser cleaning advantages

First things first, let’s figure out why laser cleaning machines are so popular in comparison to traditional methods.

1. Speed. Lasers for both cleaning and welding work multiple times faster than regular methods. Some of the models, for example, Wattsan CW 6000, clean 1 m² per 50 seconds.
2. Minimum material damage. Thanks to the ability to control power, frequency, and laser shape, you can achieve minimal thermal damage on the surface while fully removing impurities.
3. Technical maintenance. A laser cleaning machine is not a complicated piece of equipment to maintain, and it doesn’t require a lot of consumables. More on that later.
4. Environment friendly. When laser cleaning, you do not generate waste products, since the laser evaporates impurities, and for the process itself, no chemicals or abrasives are used.
5. Precision. This advantage is really important when you are working with delicate materials or historical treasures and antiquities. Due to the controlled impact in the strictly defined area, laser cleaning can minimize the chance of damage.

Laser cleaning business examples

What can you do with a laser cleaning machine? We will give you a few examples of our clients:

• Cleaning hull boats;
• Removing impurities from monuments;
• Cleaning toilets and other public places.

As you can see, there are various applications. Thus, among the options, there can be:

• Laser cleaning kitchens business (in restaurants and other places with big areas);
• Cleaning cars and their parts (for example, oil removal from the engine);
• Cleaning buildings from paintings and external effects, etc.

Your plan

Choose the sphere

First things first, it’s necessary to:

— Check whether somebody else is doing laser cleaning in this sphere;

— Decide exactly what materials you are going to process;

— Size up who can be your potential client and how many there are.

Choose the machine

Laser source type

You choose the laser source based on the material you are going to work with.

Continuous or pulse cleaning

Wattsan CW laser cleaning machines are intended for fast removal of thin layers of rust, varnish, and other coatings from wide surfaces, like metals, concrete, brick, etc. This type of laser, continuous, is the best for big industrial projects, where the surface appearance is not that important at the end.

We have three lines of continuous laser cleaning machines: CW, CW Pro, and CW 6000. The main difference between them is in the amount of mirrors, patterns, and power.

These patterns are needed to not allow the material to overheat: even if you are going to stay a little bit longer in one place, the laser will keep going, due to which the chance of damage is reduced. With the CW model, you are able to clean only using a line, while CW Pro has six patterns.

A new CW 6000 cleaning machine can remove 1 m² impurities per 50 seconds!

Statues, sculptures, and wood—all of these materials have to be cleaned by Wattsan PA and PW machines. Here, the difference between models lies in cooling type, power, focal length, and width and length of the processed zone.

This type is also suitable for removing fats and seed oils. And it’s good for powder coatings removal. To speak shortly, if you need to clean a thicker layer of impurities, we recommend pulse laser cleaning. However, pay attention that it’s slower.

Power

After determining the material and the laser type of cleaning required, you have to decide on a power question. Our managers are ready to consult you, so feel free to contact them!

Business plan

A correctly made plan for your laser cleaning business will allow you to realize the project with a lower chance of failure. This thing can help you to understand the strategy and goals of your business better. Furthermore, these plans are used by companies or start-ups for investors and crowdfunding if you’re planning to use these instruments.

Business plans don’t have one specific format; however, they have necessary points. They are:

— Company introduction and main point staging. Here, you can also say who the director is, the potential number of employees, and the location.

— List your services, their pricing, and advantages in comparison to competitors.

— Deeper analysis of the market and competitors.

— Plans for the marketing strategy.

— Plans for profit and expenses, required investments, and other financial questions.

Maintenance and other expenses

1. Machine maintenance

Once every three months, you’ll need to change the water in the chiller (if your machine uses this sort of cooling), and you may need to replace protective lenses while working. 

2. Rent and electricity

Not usually, but you could need it. If your company is going to develop and you want to hire more staff, you may need an office. Until then, you may start with your warehouse, house, or garage.

Conclusion

1. Laser cleaning machines provide users with speed, precision, minimal surface damage, ease of maintenance, and environmental friendliness. 
2. You can start a laser cleaning business on removing impurities from ships, statues, and cars, like our clients. Furthermore, you can work with buildings, kitchens, equipment, and many more.
3. The most important thing is to decide on your key materials for cleaning since there are two types of laser sources, which process different impurities and surfaces. 

The purpose of Wattsan CW laser cleaning machines is to quickly remove thin layers of rust and coatings from wide surfaces. Wattsan PA and MP models are better at cleaning thicker layers and processing delicate materials.