Page 59: of Offshore Engineer Magazine (Jan/Feb 2026)

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DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION DIODE LASERS

From Cutting Processes to Algae Removal

The range of possible applications is diverse: cutting sheet metal and pipes during the decommissioning of oil rigs, remov- ing coatings, paint, and marine fouling, inspecting and main- taining valves and load-bearing structures on pipelines or off- shore platforms. The latter in particular are often completely overgrown with algae after a few years of service. Here, an ROV

Blue Lasers as Key Technology

A newly developed underwater laser system based on blue equipped with a laser and a camera can remove the growth and diode lasers from Laserline now promises a solution to this restore clear visibility to critical components in a single dive – a decisive advantage for maintenance companies and underwater challenge. Unlike IR radiation, the blue light emitted by these integrators. Robot-assisted systems for pipeline inspections can lasers, with a wavelength of around 445 nanometers, is barely also be equipped with a diode laser as a useful add-on.

absorbed by water. The lasers thus offer excellent transmis- sion, with the effect that (almost) the entire laser power is

System Technology available – even when distances of up to one meter or more

Depending on the application, different integration ap- have to be bridged during processing. Combined with laser powers of up to 6 kilowatts, this physical advantage opens up proaches for diode lasers have been developed. One option is to mount the laser system onto a Workhorse ROV, remotely oper- numerous new possibilities for force- and contact-free mate- rial processing directly underwater – without an air chamber ated from a supply vessel via a traditional umbilical cable. The laser system, with an output power of up to 6 kW, is specially or other complex infrastructure.

Laserline diode laser systems also offer maximum precision: enclosed to permanently protect it against water, pressure, and dirt. The consistently low water temperatures between four and for example, the laser spot size can be adjusted with microm- eter accuracy, and the power can be precisely controlled within seven degrees Celsius that prevail in the deep sea make the integrated laser cooling system especially effcient.

milliseconds. This ability to quickly adjust the power makes the

Depending on the scenario, the laser systems can be custom- system particularly suitable for complex tasks at great depths.

ized to meet customer-specifc requirements. The underwater vehicles can be equipped with laser scanners or fxed optics as

Efcient, Flexible, Economical well as diode lasers in different power classes, depending on

The combination of high effciency and precise control- lability makes the new laser system both technologically the specifc application. However, development in this area is and economically highly attractive. Contact-free processing far from complete: modular single components, for example, are expected to enable even more compact system designs – underwater signifcantly reduces wear on tools and compo- nents, lowers energy requirements, and minimizes the release ultimately also reducing ROVs size. Further optimizations are of potentially harmful particles or substances. Contact-free anticipated: laser power and energy effciency will continue to processing underwater signifcantly reduces wear on tools increase, and image recognition systems have the potential to and components, lowers energy consumption, and minimizes be combined with AI in the future for the automatic identifca- the release of potentially harmful particles or substances. In tion of fouling or corrosion spots.

terms of environmental protection and resource conservation, the diode-laser-based process clearly outperforms conven- tional mechanical or chemical methods—which often cause environmental damage and material degradation. This is espe- cially relevant for removing marine fouling, which until now has often been treated with such methods, posing risks to both the environment and the components.

The system also offers new logistical advantages. While con-

Linear cut of thin metal sheet.

ventional heat treatment processes in the deep sea often require the use of large, specialized ships with daily costs in the fve to six-fgure range, the diode laser system can also be operated from smaller supply ships thanks to its simpler system archi- tecture. This not only reduces maintenance and operating costs and signifcantly shortens travel times, but also signifcantly in- creases system availability and the responsiveness of operation- al teams. Especially for short-notice maintenance tasks or emer- gency repairs, companies gain a notable operational advantage.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026 OFFSHORE ENGINEER 59