Centralized control architecture for a laser materials processing system

An apparatus for controlling a laser beam system, said apparatus comprising:

• a light source that directs an incident laser beam onto a workpiece;
• a controller in communication with said light source that provides at least one command signal to at least one auxiliary device to control an output parameter generated by said at least one auxiliary device, wherein at least one auxiliary device is one of an energy source and an automatic process controller;
• and
• a detection module for detecting said output parameter generated by at least one auxiliary device for adjusting said at least one command signal provided to at least one auxiliary device based on said detected output.

A method of controlling a material processing system, the method comprising the steps of:

• a. directing a material processing stream onto a workpiece;
• b. providing at least one command signal from a controller to at least one auxiliary device to control an output parameter generated by said at least one auxiliary device, wherein at least one auxiliary device is one of a material processing stream source and an automatic process controller;
• and
• c. detecting said output parameter generated by at least one auxiliary device and adjusting said at least one command signal provided to at least one auxiliary device based on said detected output.