Many vehicles and structures require removal of existing paints and/or coatings. Traditional paint removal methods utilize toxic solvents and media blasting, both of which create a multiplication of resultant hazardous waste. Other paint removal technologies involve thermal processes, such as flash lamps and CO2 bead blasting, in conjunction with each other or separately. For many years the Air Force, NASA, Navy, DOT, and other government agencies have been investigating laser stripping for a multitude of coating removal challenges. Several high-power (multi-kilowatt) laser paint stripping systems have been built for these agencies, and some are currently operating in evaluation and production modes. The most recent laser coating removal systems have been based on some form of beam scanning technology to create the required energy delivery (power density, travel speed, exposure time, etc.) to the work surface. Unfortunately, the current scanners used to accomplish this task are large, heavy, inefficient, and somewhat power limited. EWI has recently developed a new scanner solution that solves all of these problems. Laser paint stripping efficiency and productivity with this new polygonal scanner technology are shown to be 2 to 3 times higher than previously reported values.

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