Newport News Shipbuilding is exploring the advantages of using lasers instead of hand grinders to remove paint and rust from metal surfaces, a potential game changer on the deck plate.

Earlier this year, NNS conducted the first-ever demonstration of laser ablation during aircraft carrier construction aboard Enterprise (CVN 80). After receiving approval from the Navy, Technology Development (E32) performed tests to measure speed and job quality.

The demonstration was years in the making, and its results will be closely studied.

“Removing paint and rust with a hand grinder is both messy and hard on our shipbuilders,” said James Brooks (E32), who led the effort. “A laser is capable of removing coatings in open areas and within extremely tight spaces or crevices anywhere light can fit, all without eroding the metal.”

He said the benchmarking demonstration will “determine whether or not laser ablation, in this application, is more efficient than using a hand grinder to remove paint and rust. Once we determine the capability and efficiency of the tool, we’ll be in a more informed position to plan the scale-up of the equipment and its usage.”

The demonstration and follow-on study are vital to understanding the long-term production benefits of laser ablation and weighing that against potential risks.

“We needed to study this tool in an actual shipbuilder environment and not just a lab,” said Anthony Ugoletti (E32). “If proven successful, this could be a game-changer for the deck plate tradesman. It could provide our shipbuilders a new tool allowing for non-contact paint and rust removal that makes their job easier, safer, cleaner and faster.”

Teams will evaluate the results of the demonstration over the next several months. More demonstrations, time studies and safety evaluations are planned.