Current methods for removing paint and coatings from aircraft and helicopters, such as chemical removers, abrasive sanding, and plastic media blasting are costly, time-consuming, ergonomically unsafe, and environmentally unfriendly. Composite structures in new aircraft design will no longer allow the use of chemicals and the application of complex primers. Coating paint systems require more accurate and controlled methods that allow for selective removal of layers of paint without damaging the underlying layers.

The Laser Coating Removal Robot (LCR) is a state-of-the-art, sustainable, high performance paint stripping solution for all types of commercial and military aircraft & helicopters. The LCR outperforms current and future (planned) methods for ‘stripping/de-painting’ of aircraft. The LCR robot produces about two lb. of waste in powder form for a widebody aircraft compared to approximately 475 gallons of chemicals and 3,700 gallons of water generated by traditional de-painting methods.