Photo By Ana Henderson | Yuma Test Center recently invested in a Laser Ablation Cleaning System which uses...... read more read more
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Yuma Test Center (YTC) at U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) is continually looking for methods to advance its capabilities, efficiency, productivity and sustainability.
YTC’s latest investment in the Laser Ablation Cleaning System marks off all those requirements.
Bartek Dajnowski, president of GC Laser Systems and inventor, explains how the machine he describes as, “effective, precise and environmentally friendly,” works.
“Laser light is targeting the corrosion and the deposits on the copper crusher. The laser pulses are exciting the molecules of that contaminant. They get so excited that they shake themselves apart and eject off the surface.”
The contaminant is then vaporized and captured in a vacuum hose through a HEPA filter.
YTC purchased a stationary unit that allows for coupled and decoupled operations. In the coupled state, a robotic arm performs all the operations autonomously and in the decoupled state, personnel can decouple the laser from the robot and operate it manually.
Mechanical engineer David Le, who is one of the most experienced professionals in the field of non-destructive testing, brought the system to YTC’s Physical Test Facility to bring efficiency to the process of cleaning a critical component of live fire testing, copper crusher gauges. Brianna Carlson explained how the gauges measure the pressure of a round.
“They set two of these between the last propelling charge and the breech. When the artillery is fired, there’s pressure. So, when that pressure hits the piston in the gauge, it crushes a copper BB. Based on the amount that the BB is compressed, they calculate the peak chamber pressure for that round.”
In the near future, YTC will produce the gauges, but for now cycles through a diminishing stock of, on average, 2,000 gauges per month in support of testing. The laser system will speed up the reusability turnaround time as well as extend their life expectancy.
“It’s an insane time difference” said Daniel Henley with Mass Properties who described the previous process of cleaning the gauges, which took about an hour. The new laser system cleans a gauge in just over a minute and can be set up to clean a tray full without using manpower.
Zac Pettigrew with Mass Properties said the same gauge could be reused three or four times a week. Up until now this team would use a water-based solution, with the potential for rust damage, to clean the gauges and had to polish off water spots.
After seeing how well the laser worked, he said, “This system is going to eliminate having to put them in any kind of liquid. It’s going to give us another layer of life expectancy increase.”
In late July, GC Laser Systems came to YTC to deliver the system and to train and certify the personnel from the Physical Test, Mass Properties, Machine Shop and Support Services who will use the system. The training included 10 hours of online coursework prior to the class, and three days of hands-on.
When using the system in the decoupled state, system operators must wear safety goggles, but when using the system in the coupled state the laser safe glass enclosure blocks out the class IV laser beam for those working in and around the area.
Le foresees using the laser ablation machine for copper crushers is just the beginning of its use at YTC. He’s discussed with gun manufacturers the benefits of applying the laser cleaning into the cannon to clean the gun barrel after firing.
“At this time, we are starting to work on many applications that are needed at this moment. We project there could be several larger applications that we could use on weapon systems or test vehicles before engaging in non-destructive testing, painting, or welding.”
| Date Taken: | 08.25.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 08.25.2025 14:43 |
| Story ID: | 545844 |
| Location: | YUMA PROVING GROUND, ARIZONA, US |
| Web Views: | 63 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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