Laser system and methods for containing a laser beam and manufacturing a laser containment apparatus

A method for a containing a laser beam, the method comprising:

• securing a laser scanner to a mounting structure, the laser scanner including a laser source;
• coupling a shroud assembly to the mounting structure, the shroud assembly being configured to surround a working volume of the laser scanner, the shroud assembly including an outer shroud and an inner shroud with a passage formed therebetween;
• coupling a seal interface to the shroud assembly at an opposite end of the shroud assembly from the laser scanner;
• connecting a vacuum source to a vacuum port included in the shroud assembly;
• connecting a purge gas source to a purge port included in the shroud assembly, the purge port being configured to direct purge gas from the purge gas source toward the laser scanner, downward through the inner shroud, and into the passage between the inner shroud and the outer shroud via a circumferential gap formed adjacent a distal end of the inner shroud;
• positioning the shroud assembly on a target surface of a workpiece;
• and
• establishing a negative pressure differential between a vacuum pressure inside the shroud assembly and ambient atmospheric pressure during operation of the laser scanner to seal the shroud assembly to the target surface of the workpiece.

A laser system comprising:

• a controller;
• a laser scanner including a laser source;
• and
• a laser containment apparatus including:
• a mounting structure configured to secure the laser scanner,
• a shroud assembly coupled to the mounting structure and surrounding a working volume of the laser scanner, and
• a seal interface coupled to the shroud assembly at an opposite end of the shroud assembly from the laser scanner, a distal end of the seal interface being formed of a pliable material, wherein
• the shroud assembly includes an outer shroud and an inner shroud with a passage formed therebetween,
• the shroud assembly includes a vacuum port configured to connect to a vacuum source and a purge port configured to direct purge gas from a purge gas source toward the laser scanner, downward through the inner shroud, and into the passage between the inner shroud and the outer shroud via a circumferential gap formed adjacent a distal end of the inner shroud,
• the pliable material of the seal interface is configured to compress and seal the shroud assembly to a target surface of a workpiece upon establishment of a negative pressure differential between a vacuum pressure inside the shroud assembly and ambient atmospheric pressure, and
• the controller is configured to control the laser source in accordance with feedback from one or more sensors.