Automated pre-weld tube cleaning using laser ablation

An automated pre-weld tube cleaning system comprising:

• a laser drive assembly comprising:
• a laser configured to emit a laser beam to clean an end of a tube;
• a first motor configured to change an angle of the laser beam with respect to the end of the tube;
• a second motor configured to move the laser laterally, thereby changing a distance between the laser and the end of the tube;
• and
• a third motor configured to rotate the laser drive assembly around the end of the tube;
• and
• a computer system communicatively coupled to the first motor, the second motor, the third motor, and the laser, the computer system configured to clean the end of the tube by:
• operating the laser to emit the laser beam;
• adjusting the angle of the laser beam with respect to the end of the tube by operating the first motor;
• adjusting the distance between the laser and the end of the tube by operating the second motor;
• and
• rotating the laser drive assembly around the end of the tube by operating the third motor.

An automated pre-weld tube cleaning system comprising:

• a laser configured to emit a laser beam to clean an end of a tube;
• a robotic arm configured to:
• change an angle of the laser beam with respect to the end of the tube;
• change a distance between the laser and the end of the tube;
• and
• rotate the laser drive assembly around the end of the tube;
• and
• a computer system communicatively coupled to the robotic arm and the laser, the computer system configured to clean the end of the tube by:
• operating the laser to emit the laser beam;
• adjusting the angle of the laser beam with respect to the end of the tube by operating the robotic arm;
• adjusting the distance between the laser and the end of the tube by operating the robotic arm;
• and
• rotating the laser drive assembly around the end of the tube by operating the robotic arm.