Trays, molds and line equipment, back to bare metal.
Production lines build carbon on baking trays, molds and pans every shift. Manufacturers already use laser cleaning for this. ArcLight brings a calibrated process to your equipment and works to your sanitation plan.
Request an asset assessmentIPG Photonics lists baking trays, molds, pans, ovens, fryers, conveyors and mixers among food-industry laser cleaning uses, with fume extraction as the main requirement (IPG Photonics).
cleanLASER describes laser cleaning of steel, cast-iron and chrome-plated baking molds without wire brushes (cleanLASER).
Breweries use laser cleaning on tanks, kettles and piping for beerstone, scale and weld discoloration (Laser Photonics). It doesn't replace CIP or sanitation verification.
Typical work
- Baking trays, sheet pans and bread pans
- Baking molds (steel, cast iron, chrome-plated)
- Oven interiors and bands
- Fryer housings and conveyors
- Mixer frames and line guarding
- Brewery kettles, tanks and fittings (exterior and accessible surfaces)
Limits worth knowing
Some residues are harder for a laser than others. One provider lists meat, chocolate, powder and thick, uneven deposits as difficult (LaserSwipe). We test on your parts before quoting a schedule.
Questions
What is laser cleaning?
Laser cleaning uses short pulses of laser light to remove rust, coatings, carbon, grease and other buildup from a surface. The settings are adjusted to the material so the buildup comes off and the surface underneath is preserved as much as possible. It's a non-contact process, so there's no blasting media or chemical stripper involved.
Does laser cleaning use chemicals or water?
The laser itself uses no chemicals and no blasting media. The removed material becomes fumes and fine particles, which are pulled away by fume extraction at the work point. Food-contact parts still get a normal wash, rinse and sanitize afterward.
Can laser cleaning damage the metal underneath?
It can if the settings are wrong. Too much power, too much overlap or repeated passes can roughen a surface or leave heat tint on stainless steel (PMC study on 304L stainless). That's why every job starts with a test spot and settings matched to the material.
What can't be laser cleaned?
Plastics, most rubber and clear glass are usually poor candidates, and deep cavities the beam can't see are out of reach (Tri-State Laser Cleaning). Laser cleaning also removes cast-iron seasoning, so seasoned surfaces have to be re-seasoned. If another method fits the job better, we'll say so.
Is laser cleaning better than pressure washing?
For baked-on carbon on metal parts, a laser can remove buildup without soaking the area or producing greasy wash water. Pressure washing is cheaper for large, simple surfaces, but grease-laden wash water has to be kept out of storm drains (Nashville stormwater guidance). The right answer depends on the item and what's on it.
See what precision can do for your equipment.
Send us what you’re working with. ArcLight will look at the material, the buildup and your schedule, and tell you honestly whether laser cleaning is the right tool.
Request an asset assessment