Laser cleaning arrives in UK after WEP investment

Denis Rainbird, WEP’s general manager (left), with Olav Schulz, SLCR Lasertechnik’s managing director

Wolverhampton Electro Plating (WEP) has become the first metal finisher in the UK to invest in groundbreaking new laser technology for the cleaning and pre-treatment of components. WEP, part of the Anochrome Group, has taken delivery of a SLCR Lasertechnik LAMA machine, which effectively cleans nuts, bolts and parts in bulk prior to coating without the need for water, chemicals or shot-blasting.

Using just lasers, instead of traditional methods, produces huge environmental and cost-saving benefits, while simplifying the cleaning process from many steps to just one. WEP has worked with SLCR Lasertechnik for more than two years to develop a pre-treatment machine specifically for its zinc flake dip-spin operations at its Wolverhampton facilities.

Denis Rainbird, WEP’s general manager, said: “We are delighted to be leading the way in the industry with a significant investment in this game-changing new technology, which arrived from Germany last month and has been assembled ready for final testing. All parts need to be thoroughly cleaned before they are coated by dip-spin to ensure they are completely free of contaminants. Up until now, this has involved huge amounts of water, chemistry and power.

“The LAMA machine removes all that energy and expense by using high-powered lasers, at just a fraction of the electricity. This will improve our carbon footprint as a business, as well as lowering costs and speeding up turnround times. Final testing will now take place before we start using the technology for our customers later in the year.”

The purchase of the LAMA machine follows other recent investments at WEP, including the introduction of a fourth dip-spin line last year. Olav Schulz, managing director of SLCR Lasertechnik, personally visited WEP to oversee the installation of the machine.

Mr Rainbird said: “We have had an extremely positive relationship with WEP over the last two years, working collaboratively to create this solution. WEP is the first coatings business in the UK to be using lasers for preparation of parts, which is a significant step forward for the industry.

“Using the LAMA machine, coatings or surface pollutants are vaporised by repetitive laser pulses without damaging adjacent layers or the substrate. We believe this unique surface treatment method will improve efficiencies and reduce WEP's CO₂ footprint by over 35%, eliminating chemicals and media blasting in the preparation process.”

WEP offers a comprehensive and diverse range of metal finishing and corrosion protection coatings and services. As well as dip-spin, the business offers barrel zinc and zinc nickel electroplating, as well as mechanical barrel plating of zinc, tin zinc and Almac.