Abstract: A vision inspection system for laser welds includes a scanning station to support a workpiece including one or more laser welds. A vision sensing assembly includes a top surface, a bottom surface, side surfaces, a light source, and a sensor. The light source illuminates the workpiece while the sensor generates an image of the one or more laser welds of the workpiece. A shield is arranged around the top surface and the side surfaces of the vision sensing assembly. The bottom surface of the vision sensing assembly is arranged above a lower edge of the shield by a first predetermined distance.