Process for Selectively Removing a Coating Layer

Abstract

A method of at least partially removing at least one of a coating and a masking layer from an area of at least one part, including the steps of orienting the at least one part; and removing the area of the at least one of coa tmg and masking layer from the at least one part using at least one removal device. In a preferred embodiment, the method includes a plurality of parts, orienting the plurality of parts and removing the area of the at least one coating and masking layer from each of the plurality of parts using a plurality of removal devices. A system for at least partially removing at least one of a coating and masking layer from an area of at least one part is also provided. In a preferred embodiment, the removal device(s) are lasers.

1 . The method as claimed in  claim 7 , including the step of at least partially removing the at least one coating and masking layer from an area of each of a plurality of parts, and comprising the steps of:
 a) orienting the plurality of parts; and   b) removing the area of the at least one coating and masking layer from each of the plurality of parts using a plurality of removal devices.   
     
     
         2 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one coating and masking layer is an aluminum oxide layer and the plurality of parts is a plurality of anodized aluminum parts. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of removing the area comprises using a plurality of lasers operating at a selected wavelength and power. 
     
     
         4 . The system as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the system at least partially removes at least a coating and masking layer from an area of each of a plurality of parts, the system comprising:
 a) at least one path for maintaining alignment and spacing of the plurality of parts, and   b) a plurality of removal devices arranged about the at least one path for at least partially removing the at least one coating and masking layer from the area of each of the plurality of parts as said plurality of parts move relative to the plurality of removal devices.   
     
     
         5 . The system as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the at least one coating and masking layer is an aluminum oxide layer and the plurality of parts is a plurality of anodized aluminum parts. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of removal devices comprise a plurality of lasers operating at a selected wavelength and power. 
     
     
         7 . A method of at least partially removing at least one of a coating and a masking layer from an area of at least one part, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) orienting the at least one part; and   b) removing the area of the at least one coating and masking layer from the at least one part using at least one removal device.   
     
     
         8 . The method as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the at least one coating and masking layer is an aluminum oxide layer wherein the method comprises the steps of:
 a) orienting the anodized aluminum part; and   b) removing the area of the aluminum oxide layer from the anodized aluminum part using the at least one removal device.   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 7  wherein the at least one removal device comprises a plurality of removal devices. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The system as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the system at least partially removes an aluminum oxide layer from an area of an anodized aluminum part, the system comprising:
 at least one removal device positioned for at least partially removing the aluminum oxide layer from the area of the anodized aluminum part.   
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein the at least one removal device comprises a plurality of removal devices. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A system for at least partially removing at least one of a coating and masking layer from an area of at least one part, the system comprising:
 at least one removal device positioned for at least partially removing the at least one coating and masking layer from the area of the at least one part.   
     
     
         17 . A system as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the system is for at least partially removing at least one of a coating and masking layer from an area of each of a plurality of parts, the system comprising:
 a) at least one path for maintaining alignment and spacing of the plurality of parts, and   b) a plurality of removal devices arranged about the at least one path for at least partially removing at least one of the coating and masking layer from the area of each of the plurality of parts as said plurality of parts move relative to the plurality of removal devices.   
     
     
         18 . The system as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the system at least partially removes an aluminum oxide layer from an area of at least one part. 
     
     
         19 . The methods as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the at least one removal device is a laser operating at a selected wavelength and power. 
     
     
         20 . The systems as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the at least one removal device is a laser operating at a selected wavelength and power.