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Explanatory video: How laser cleaning works
The cleaning laser generates “round pulses of light”. The pulses heat the top layer of grime for nanoseconds.
With a depth of only 0.01 to 0.5 mm per cleaning cycle, the layer removed is five times thinner than a human hair.
This means: The grime is removed micrometer by micrometer without damaging the underlying structure. Quick – quiet – easy on the environment.
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Stone monuments at risk
Particulate matter, exhaust, soot, layers of pollution, algae, and vandalism cause severe damage to monuments, buildings, and statues over time.
The problem with cleaning: Chemical cleaning agents are often highly abrasive.
For sensitive materials, the only option is to remove deposits with …
… sand blasting
… dry ice blasting
… or a chemical sponge.
But be careful: In all of these procedures, the surface is mechanically treated. It is difficult to control how much is removed.
If parts of the structure come loose, valuable works of art will be damaged for good.
Fortunately, there is now a better method that is already being used by archaeologists in Egypt to uncover murals: laser cleaning.
Cleaning method comparison
Sand blasting
Efficiency
- around 2 m²/hour
Precision
- The sand acts as an abrasive. It roughens the surface and leaves it porous
User-friendliness
- Can only be performed using a mask and respiratory protection. The abrasives must be cleaned off the site afterwards
Energy consumption
- High energy consumption
Dry ice blasting
Efficiency
- 1-1.5 m²/hour
Precision
- This method is considered relatively gentle
User-friendliness
- Extreme noise levels. Protective suit required for workers. Operating the compressor and obtaining dry ice are logistically demanding
Energy consumption
- Very high energy consumption
Chemical sponge
Efficiency
- slow and exhausting
Precision
- The amount removed cannot be controlled
User-friendliness
- Difficult manual labor
Energy consumption
- No energy required (manual labor)
Laser cleaning
Efficiency
- 3-5 m²/hour
Precision
- Ultra-precise. The gentlest cleaning method on the market
User-friendliness
- Suitcase-sized machine, low noise, only protective goggles required
Energy consumption
- Consumes no more energy than a light bulb
Sand blasting
Dry ice blasting
Chemical sponge
Laser cleaning
Efficiency
- around 2 m²/hour
- 1-1.5 m²/hour
- slow and exhausting
- 3-5 m²/hour
Precision
- The sand acts as an abrasive. It roughens the surface and leaves it porous
- This method is considered relatively gentle
- The amount removed cannot be controlled
- Ultra-precise. The gentlest cleaning method on the market
User-friendliness
- Can only be performed using a mask and respiratory protection. The abrasives must be cleaned off the site afterwards
- Extreme noise levels. Protective suit required for workers. Operating the compressor and obtaining dry ice are logistically demanding
- Difficult manual labor
- Suitcase-sized machine, low noise, only protective goggles required
Energy consumption
- High energy consumption
- Very high energy consumption
- No energy required (manual labor)
- Consumes no more energy than a light bulb
How laser cleaning works
How it works in
5 simple steps:
Step 1
The laser shoots “round pulses of light” at the surface
Step 2
The grime absorbs the light energy and heats up for a few nanoseconds
Step 3
The grime evaporates while the surface becomes slightly warmer
Step 4
To prevent the fumes from reattaching, they are immediately vacuumed away.
Step 5
Result: A clean, smooth, and undamaged surface.
Step 1
The laser shoots “round pulses of light” at the surface
Step 2
The grime absorbs the light energy and heats up for a few nanoseconds
Step 3
The grime evaporates while the surface becomes slightly warmer
Step 4
To prevent the fumes from reattaching, they are immediately vacuumed away.
Step 5
Result: A clean, smooth, and undamaged surface.
Novosan Laser Clean
Pioneers of laser cleaning in Switzerland and Europe
The Novosan Laser Clean team removes grime from historic buildings without the use of any chemicals, with a minimal carbon footprint, and without damaging stonework. Depending on the level of staining, we clean an average of 3 m³ per hour. This is significantly faster than other methods.
Our innovation and commitment to sustainability and safety were recognised by the renowned London-based magazine Business Worldwide, which named us one of the “20 Most Innovative Companies to Watch, 2024”.
The cleaning lasers only affect layers that are 5 times thinner than a hair.
That means: Unless aimed at the eyes, the technology is relatively harmless for human beings.
This is why we equip our employees (and you) with safety glasses and fence off the cleaning area with protective walls.
The personal protective equipment (PPE) is much simpler than what is required for other cleaning processes, like sand- or dry-ice blasting.
As the first provider in Switzerland, we are now training other providers to use the Novosan safety concept.
The collaboration process
Live on-site demonstration
We will provide an in-person demonstration on how we use laser cleaning to remove different types of grime – including soot, graffiti, and particulate matter. Don’t worry: We won’t test it directly on your building. We bring a variety of sample materials with us.
Inspection of the structure on site
Have you decided that laser cleaning is the right approach? We will check what type of staining is involved, what the surface is like, and whether our cleaning process is suitable for your situation. And if it that all checks out? We’ll gladly laser a small sample area of your structure free of charge. If you are satisfied, we will send you a quote.
Cleaning
Have you decided that working with us is the right choice? If so, we will schedule an appointment for cleaning. Our trained technicians will bring everything that they need. The only thing you have to provide is a standard power outlet.
What you can expect in the live demonstration
About us
About us
Novosan has specialized in building cleaning and renovation for decades.
When Martin Schweizer, a mechanical engineer and economist with over 20 years of experience, took over the affiliated company Novosan in 2022, he breathed new life into the company.
He had already encountered laser technology as a student. Whether for welding, cutting sheet metal, measuring, engraving, optical laser technology or archaeology, lasers are used wherever extreme precision is required.
And it’s not only in engineering that lasers are indispensable – the technology has also been used in medicine for decades.
But there is one area where lasers are not yet in use, even though the work requires the same level of precision as in medicine and engineering: building cleaning.
So Martin Schweizer came up with the idea of modifying a standard laser for use in cleaning buildings and monuments made of wood, stone, and synthetic materials. After thorough research, countless tests, and a long development period, he and his team have achieved that goal.
Novosan Laser Clean AG, the first provider of laser cleaning equipment in Switzerland, has been recognised by London-based magazine Business Worldwide as one of the “20 Most Innovative Companies to Watch, 2024”.
Laser cleaning: Burgdorf Castle
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Burgdorf Castle – Switzerland
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FAQ
Can I use it to clean off any kind of dirt or grime?
We can clean almost anything with our laser. Soot, particulate matter, exhaust, algae, spray paint (graffiti), mold, and much more. Since our laser is extremely gentle, we have even used it to clean Styrofoam without damaging the surface.
However, as a general rule, the tougher the staining, the more intensively it needs to be lasered. For particularly sensitive surfaces such as wood, the result may not meet the normal quality standards of Novosan Laser Clean because too much energy has to be used for cleaning to avoid leaving any trace on the wood.
To rule this out, we always personally inspect your building first and check whether cleaning is possible for your situation.
How much energy is needed for laser cleaning?
How much does the laser remove?
How does laser cleaning work?
How quickly does the laser clean?
What other areas can laser cleaning be used for?
Our locations – throughout Switzerland!
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