It hasn't hit a price point that makes it commercially viable, yet. $150k for a tool that can remove mill scale as well as media blasting or acid dip isn't competitive. It hasn't been demonstrated on the heavy scale experienced in field applications where such a tool would be useful.
Also, with this quote:
"The company explains that the device aims short, 1000-W laser pulses at the rusted piece, producing micro-plasma bursts, along with thermal pressure and shockwaves to sublimate the rust and separate it from the metal without damaging the piece. "
But as Tugboat says, it is still expensive, so you use it where other methods cannot go. A lot of the expense is the robotic delivery system it can require.
For boilers, carbon dioxide blasting is currently the scale removal method of choice.
"Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but they are not entitled to their own facts."
The USAF is using this to remove paint from planes.
- Program the contours once and let the robots do it over and over
- Very good control to prevent surface damage (using wavelengths absorbed by the paint but not Al)
- The only waste is the paint itself which is vacuumed off during the process
It is cost effective with high value assets.
