Continuous Wave Laser Cleaning Machine
Complete Buyer’s Guide 2026 | 1000W-6000W | Factory Direct from $4,500
Dawn Huang
I'm a passionate engineer and the founder of Chihalo Laser Factory. With an M.Sc. from HKU and 10 years in industrial laser field, I've mastered the laser craft from the ground up — from selecting parts to automating systems. Here, I translate complex industry updates into actionable knowledge. Join our community to stay ahead!
Table of Contents
Quick Definition:
A continuous wave (CW) laser cleaning machine is an industrial device that uses a steady laser beam (1000W-6000W) to remove rust, paint, and coatings from metal surfaces through thermal ablation. CW lasers provide 2-3x faster cleaning than pulsed lasers for heavy-duty applications, making them ideal for large steel structures, pipelines, ships, and industrial equipment.
At Chihalo, we have manufactured and exported over 2,000 CW laser cleaning systems since 2016. Our engineering team has hands-on experience with installations across European shipyards, North American automotive plants, and Asian railway maintenance facilities. This guide shares what we’ve learned from real-world applications—including honest assessments of what CW lasers can and cannot do.
- Factory-direct pricing: $4,500-$20,000 (40-60% below reseller prices)
- Power options: 1000W, 1500W, 2000W, 3000W, 6000W
- 2-year laser source warranty
- Free sample testing with video documentation before purchase
Our CW Laser Cleaning Machines & Pricing
Below are our current CW laser cleaning models with transparent factory-direct pricing.
All units use premium laser sources (Raycus, MAX, or BWT), integrated water cooling, and include 2-year warranty coverage.
Model | Power | Best Applications | Efficiency | Price | |
CHL-C1500 | 1500W | Light rust, thin coatings, small workshops | 12-20 m²/h | $5,200+ | |
CHL-C2000 | 2000W | Medium rust, paint removal, general industrial | 15-30 m²/h | $8,700+ | Popular |
CHL-C3000 | 3000W | Heavy rust, thick coatings, large structures | 25-45 m²/h | $11,800+ | |
CHL-C6000 | 6000W | Shipyards, pipelines, maximum productivity | 40-60 m²/h | $20,000+ |
Our recommendation: For most industrial applications, the 2000W model offers the best balance of power, efficiency, and cost. Based on our sales data, 60% of customers choose this configuration.
What Is a CW Laser Cleaning Machine?
A CW (continuous wave) laser cleaning machine emits a constant, uninterrupted laser beam—unlike pulsed lasers that fire in short bursts.
This continuous energy output enables faster cleaning speeds for heavy-duty applications, but generates more heat than pulsed systems.
How It Works
The laser beam heats surface contaminants (rust, paint, oil) to the point of vaporization or thermal expansion.
The rapid heating breaks the bond between the contaminant and base metal, causing the unwanted material to detach.
The process is non-contact—the laser head never touches the workpiece.
Key Components
- Fiber Laser Source: Raycus, MAX, or BWT brands with 100,000+ hour lifespan
- Handheld Cleaning Gun: 550-600mm focal length, scanning width up to 600mm
- Water Cooling System: Industrial chiller for 100% duty cycle operation
- Control System: Touch screen interface with multiple cleaning modes
CW vs Pulsed Laser: Honest Comparison
This is the most important decision you’ll make.
Choosing the wrong laser type for your application wastes money and may damage your workpieces.
Here’s what we tell our customers based on thousands of installations:
Factor | CW Laser | Pulsed Laser |
Output | Steady, continuous beam | Short, high-energy bursts |
Power Range | 1000W – 6000W | 100W – 500W |
Speed | 2-3x faster for large areas | Slower, more controlled |
Heat Generation | Higher (needs thick substrates) | Minimal (safe for sensitive materials) |
Best For | Heavy rust, thick coatings, large structures | Precision molds, thin materials, electronics |
Price | $4,500 – $20,000 | $8,000 – $25,000+ |
Choose CW Laser If...
- You’re cleaning large steel structures, pipelines, ships, or bridges
- Your workpieces are thick metal (5mm+) with good heat dissipation
- You need to remove heavy rust, mill scale, or thick paint
- Speed and efficiency matter more than surface finish perfection
Choose Pulsed Laser Instead If...
- You’re cleaning precision molds, dies, or electronic components
- Your substrate is thin (<3mm) or heat-sensitive
- You need to preserve surface finish or achieve a “whitened” appearance
- Precision matters more than speed
What CW Laser Cleaning Cannot Do
We believe in honest communication.
CW laser cleaning is powerful, but it’s not the right solution for every application.
Here are the limitations you should understand before purchasing:
Technical Limitations
- Not for thin materials: Substrates under 3mm may warp or discolor due to heat buildup
- Cannot achieve “whitening” effect: Pulsed lasers create a brighter, cleaner surface appearance
- Requires 220V power: Not suitable for remote field locations without adequate power supply
- Learning curve: Optimal parameter settings require training and practice
- Some coatings resist CW cleaning: Light-colored paints and high-temperature treated coatings may require multiple passes or pulsed laser
- Wood Surface: It will burn the wood surface and can not clean the paint on wood.
When We Recommend Against CW
Based on our experience, we actively discourage customers from buying CW laser cleaners for these applications: precision mold cleaning (use pulsed instead), aluminum or copper thin sheets, electronic component cleaning, applications requiring pristine surface finish, and situations where the workpiece cannot tolerate any heat discoloration.
“We’ve turned away sales when CW wasn’t the right fit.
A customer once wanted to clean aluminum heat exchangers—we recommended pulsed laser instead because CW would have damaged them.
That honesty has earned us repeat business.” — Zhang Wei, Applications Engineer
Proven Applications
These are applications where we’ve seen consistent success with CW laser cleaning, based on installations across multiple industries:
Heavy Rust & Scale Removal
Structural steel, bridges, building frameworks, pipelines, storage tanks, ship hulls, railway tracks and rolling stock.
CW excels at removing years of accumulated rust and mill scale before coating or welding.
Paint & Coating Stripping
Automotive body panels, industrial equipment refurbishment, aerospace component maintenance (on appropriate substrates), graffiti removal.
The process leaves no chemical residue and generates minimal waste.
Weld Preparation & Cleaning
Pre-weld surface preparation (removes oil, rust, oxide layers) and post-weld cleaning (removes spatter and discoloration).
Proper surface prep with laser cleaning improves weld quality and reduces defects.
Real Customer Results
Here are documented results from actual Chihalo CW laser cleaning installations.
We can provide references upon request.
European Shipyard - Hull Cleaning
- Equipment: CHL-CW3000 (3000W)
- Application: Removing marine growth and rust from ship hulls
- Result: 60% reduction in cleaning time vs. sandblasting
- Benefit: Eliminated abrasive waste disposal costs (€15,000+ annual savings)
North American Auto Restoration Shop
- Equipment: CHL-CW2000 (2000W)
- Application: Stripping paint and rust from classic car frames
- Result: Complete frame cleaning in 4-6 hours (previously 2-3 days with chemical stripping)
- Benefit: Expanded service offerings, increased revenue by $40,000/year
Asian Railway Maintenance Facility
- Equipment: 2x CHL-CW2000 units
- Application: Rail track rust removal and weld preparation
- Result: Improved weld quality, 40% reduction in weld defects
- Benefit: Lower maintenance costs, extended track lifespan
Transparent Pricing Guide
We publish our prices because we believe buyers deserve transparency.
These are actual factory-direct prices—not inflated list prices designed to be discounted.
Power | Chihalo Factory | Typical Reseller | Your Savings |
1000W | $4,500 – $5,200 | $8,000 – $10,000 | ~45% |
1500W | $5,200 – $6,500 | $9,000 – $12,000 | ~45% |
2000W | $6,700 – $8,500 | $11,000 – $15,000 | ~40% |
3000W | $8,800 – $12,000 | $15,000 – $20,000 | ~40% |
6000W | $15,000 – $20,000 | $25,000 – $35,000 | ~40% |
What Affects the Price?
- Laser source brand: Raycus/MAX (standard) vs. imported IPG/nLIGHT (premium)
- Cleaning head type: Standard vs. 2D galvo scanning (wider cleaning width)
- Multi-function capability: Cleaning-only vs. 3-in-1 (welding/cutting/cleaning)
- Fiber cable length: 10m standard, 15-20m available for large workpieces
Why Buy From Chihalo?
We’re not just a trading company—we’re a certified manufacturer with our own R&D, production, and quality control facilities.
Our Credentials
- National High-Tech Enterprise certification (Chinese government)
- Two European laser brands under Chihalo ownership
- 2,000+ laser cleaning systems exported since 2015
- Customers include military contractors, universities, and Fortune 500 companies
Quality Assurance
- 100% aging test: Every unit runs for 48+ hours before shipment
- Full-function testing: Cleaning performance verified with video documentation
- 2-year laser source warranty (industry standard is 1 year)
- Free sample testing: Send your materials, we’ll clean them and send video
Technical Specifications
Specification | CHL-CW1500 | CHL-CW2000 | CHL-CW3000 | CHL-CW6000 |
Laser Power | 1500W | 2000W | 3000W | 6000W |
Laser Source | Raycus/MAX | Raycus/MAX | Raycus/MAX | BWT |
Wavelength | 1080±10nm | 1080±10nm | 1080±10nm | 1080±10nm |
Cleaning Width | 160mm | 160-270mm | 270-420mm | 420-600mm |
Efficiency | 12-20 m²/h | 15-30 m²/h | 25-45 m²/h | 40-60 m²/h |
Fiber Length | 10m | 10m | 10m | 15m |
Cooling | Water (S&A) | Water (S&A) | Water (S&A) | Water (S&A) |
Price From | $5,200 | $6,700 | $8,800 | $15,000 |
How to Choose the Right Machine
Step 1: Confirm CW Is Right for Your Application
Review the “CW vs Pulsed” and “Limitations” sections above.
If your application involves thin materials, precision molds, or heat-sensitive substrates, consider pulsed laser instead.
Step 2: Select Power Level
1500W: Light rust, thin coatings, occasional use, budget-conscious buyers.
2000W: Medium rust, regular industrial use, best value for most applications. (Our recommendation for first-time buyers.)
3000W: Heavy rust, thick coatings, large-scale projects, professional cleaning services.
6000W: Industrial-scale operations, shipyards, maximum productivity requirements.
Step 3: Request Sample Testing
Send us samples of your actual materials.
We’ll clean them with different power levels and settings, then send video documentation showing the results.
This eliminates guesswork and ensures you get the right machine.
Frequently Asked Questions
A CW laser cleaning machine uses a steady laser beam (1000W-6000W) to remove rust, paint, and coatings from metal through thermal ablation. Unlike pulsed lasers that fire in bursts, CW provides continuous energy for faster cleaning on large surfaces.
Factory-direct prices: 1000W ($4,500-$5,200), 1500W ($5,200-$6,500), 2000W ($6,700-$8,500), 3000W ($8,800-$12,000), 6000W ($15,000-$20,000). Reseller prices are typically 40-60% higher.
CW lasers emit continuous beams at higher power (1000W-6000W) for fast, heavy-duty cleaning. Pulsed lasers fire short bursts at lower power (100W-500W) for precision cleaning with minimal heat. Choose CW for thick metal and heavy rust; choose pulsed for thin materials and precision work.
1500W for light rust/small areas; 2000W for general industrial use (most popular); 3000W for heavy rust/large structures; 6000W for maximum productivity. When unsure, 2000W offers the best versatility.
CW lasers generate heat that can damage thin materials (<3mm), heat-sensitive substrates, or surfaces requiring pristine finish. Safe for thick steel, structural metal, pipes, and heavy equipment. Always test on samples first.
Carbon steel, stainless steel, cast iron, thick aluminum, copper, brass. Removes rust, mill scale, paint, coatings, oil, oxide layers, and weld residue. Not recommended for thin sheets, plastics, or heat-sensitive materials.
Cleaning rates: 1500W (12-20 m²/h), 2000W (15-30 m²/h), 3000W (25-45 m²/h), 6000W (40-60 m²/h). CW is 2-3x faster than pulsed lasers for large-area cleaning.
Yes, when buying from certified manufacturers (not trading companies). Verify: government certifications, factory ownership, quality testing procedures, warranty terms, and customer references. Chihalo is a National High-Tech Enterprise with 2,000+ exported systems.
Chihalo provides 2-year laser source warranty (industry standard is 1 year) plus 1-year warranty on other components. Laser sources have 100,000+ hour design lifespan (~11 years continuous operation).
Yes. Send material samples to Chihalo for free cleaning trials with video documentation. We also offer video factory tours and live demonstrations via video call.
Very low. Only consumable is protective lens ($10-70, lasts months). Electricity: ~10kW for 2000W unit. No chemicals, abrasives, or waste disposal costs. Major cost advantage over sandblasting and chemical cleaning.
Standard models: 3-5 days production + 25-35 days sea freight (to North America, Europe, Australia). Air freight available for faster delivery. Custom configurations: 7-14 days production.
Get Your CW Laser Cleaning Solution
Ready to discuss your application? Contact us for transparent pricing, free sample testing, and honest advice on whether CW laser cleaning is right for your needs.
Contact Chihalo:
- Email: info@chihalo.com
- WhatsApp: +86 18608325040
- Website: www.chihalo.com
Request a Quote: Tell us about your application and we’ll respond with a customized recommendation within 24 hours.
Free Sample Testing: Send your materials and we’ll demonstrate exactly what our machines can do—with video documentation.
Video Consultation: Schedule a live video call with our engineering team to discuss your specific requirements.
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