Key Conclusion‌

‌Gas protection is mandatory‌‌, primarily to safeguard core components (e.g., focusing lenses) and optimize cleaning efficiency. However, the specific gas type can be flexibly selected based on requirements.

‌1. Necessity of Gas Protection

Function	Explanation
Protects optical lenses	High-speed airflow forms a barrier to prevent splashed debris or contaminants from adhering to focusing lenses, avoiding equipment damage‌
Enhances cleaning effects	In some scenarios, airflow accelerates the removal of rust layers or residues, improving cleaning efficiency‌.

‌

2. Gas Types and Applicability

Gas Type	Characteristics	‌Applicable Scenarios
‌Nitrogen (N₂)	Inert gas with strong comprehensive protection and moderate cost. Ideal for routine metal cleaning (e.g., stainless steel, carbon steel)‌	High-precision cleaning or oxidation-sensitive materials.
‌Argon (Ar)	Fully inert gas with superior protection but higher cost, requiring specialized storage‌	High-standard cleaning for materials like titanium alloys.
Filtered compressed air	Cost-effective but requires precision filtration to remove moisture and oil, otherwise risking lens contamination‌	Non-precision cleaning or budget-limited scenarios.

‌3. Key Considerations‌

• ‌Gas purity requirements‌: Nitrogen or argon must have purity ≥99.9% to ensure effective protection‌.
• ‌Equipment compatibility‌: Some models have specific gas flow and pressure requirements—follow the device manual‌.
• ‌Cost trade-offs‌: Argon costs 3-5 times more than nitrogen; prioritize gas selection based on material properties and cleaning precision‌.

‌Summary‌

Continuous fiber laser cleaning machines ‌must use gas protection‌ to prevent contamination of optical components and extend equipment lifespan‌. In practice, nitrogen, argon, or filtered compressed air can be selected based on material sensitivity, budget, and cleaning requirements

If gas is not used, the protective lens may be replaced every 5 minutes. If compressed air is used, it may be replaced every half a day. If nitrogen is used, it may be replaced every week or even a month. The form of compressed air+oil-water filter depends on the usage environment. If the rust removal environment is good, there is less dust, or there is a specialized dust recovery system, compressed air can also be used. If the rust removal environment has more dust, the form of air pump+oil-water filter cannot be used. It cannot filter thoroughly, and impurities in the gas will fall on the lens. When the laser is irradiated, the impurities will instantly heat up and damage the lens.