Apparatus for a laser welding system

A system for laser welding a part, the system comprising:

• a platform for supporting the part;
• a laser configured to weld the part;
• an enclosure surrounding the platform, the enclosure including:
• an inlet having an inlet cross-sectional area and operable to receive gas flow from outside the enclosure as the laser welds the part, and
• an outlet located on an opposite side of the platform relative to the inlet and having an outlet cross-sectional area that is greater than zero and smaller than the inlet cross-sectional area, the outlet being operable to allow the gas flow to exit the enclosure as the laser welds the part;
• and
• one or more gas flow source configured to direct the gas flow into the enclosure through the inlet so that the gas flows over the platform as the part is being welded by the laser welding system.

A system for laser welding a part, the system comprising:

• a platform for supporting the part and having a top surface at a first height;
• a laser configured to weld the part on the top surface of the platform;
• an enclosure surrounding the platform, the enclosure including:
• an inlet having an inlet cross-sectional area and a topmost point above the first height, the inlet being operable to receive gas flow from outside the enclosure as the laser welds the part, and
• an outlet having an outlet cross-sectional area that is greater than zero and smaller than the inlet cross-sectional area and having a topmost point above the first height, the outlet being operable to allow the gas flow to exit the enclosure as the laser welds the part;
• and
• one or more gas flow source configured to direct the gas flow into the enclosure through the inlet so that the gas flows over the platform as the part is being welded by the laser welding system.