Laser cleaners come in two broad types: pulsed and continuous wave. The difference affects how gently and precisely they clean. This guide explains the two and why pulsed fibre lasers suit most cleaning work.
Key takeaways
- Pulsed lasers fire short, high-energy bursts; continuous wave lasers emit a steady beam.
- Pulsed lasers manage heat better, which protects delicate surfaces.
- Continuous wave lasers can be faster on heavy industrial removal but generate more heat.
- The FLT-P range is pulsed, which suits the broad mix of cleaning and heritage work.
The difference between pulsed and continuous wave
The difference is timing: a pulsed laser fires very short, high-energy bursts of light, while a continuous wave laser emits a steady, uninterrupted beam. That timing changes how heat behaves on the surface.
Both remove contamination by the same basic principle, but the way they deliver energy makes them suited to different kinds of work.
Why pulsed lasers protect surfaces
Pulsed lasers protect surfaces because each burst lasts only nanoseconds, so heat does not build up in the material and the substrate stays cool while the contaminant is removed. This control is ideal for delicate work.
It is what allows laser cleaning to work safely on heritage stone, thin metal panels and timber. See how laser cleaning works for the underlying principle.
Where continuous wave fits
Continuous wave lasers can be faster on heavy, robust industrial removal, but the steady beam generates more heat, which makes them less suited to delicate or heat-sensitive surfaces. They trade finesse for raw throughput.
For mixed work that includes sensitive surfaces, that extra heat is a drawback rather than a benefit.
Want to run these jobs yourself?
LaserStrip sells and hires FLT-P pulsed fibre laser machines (200W, 300W and 500W) with training and UK support. From £10,500 plus VAT.
Why the FLT-P range is pulsed
The FLT-P range is pulsed because the broad mix of cleaning, heritage and restoration work it is built for demands the heat control and precision that pulsed fibre lasers provide. It is the right tool for versatile, careful cleaning.
That is why one pulsed machine can move from heritage stone to rust to timber safely. See the machine range, or 200W vs 300W vs 500W for power options.
