Containment device for a laser head and associated manufacturing method

Abstract

A laser containment device, adapted to be mounted to a laser head, has an outer shell and an inner wall defining a peripheral chamber there in-between. An inner seal and an outer seal, respectively mounted to the outer shell and to the inner wall, are adapted to contact a workpiece. The peripheral chamber, encircling an opening in the laser containment device for letting a laser beam reach a workpiece, may be connected to a differential pressure generator operative to generate a differential pressure therein. A pressure sensor is located within the peripheral chamber to read the differential pressure. In use, the laser head, mounted to a computer-controlled manipulator, emits its laser beam. The pressure sensor sends its pressure readings to a controller which compares their values with a predetermined pressure threshold. If the pressure readings cross this threshold, the controller stops the emission of the laser beam.