Apparatus for and method of controlling the output of a laser source

摘要

An apparatus for and a method of controlling a laser oscillator for use as a laser source in a machining operation or the like is disclosed. In particular, the present invention compensates for a deviation of an actual input/output characteristic of a laser oscillator from a normal (expected) input/output characteristic due to, for example, aging and the like. The present invention approximates the actual input/output characteristic and stores the characteristic as a pattern in a storage device. In response to a detection of the actual laser output and an external intensity command signal, the present invention refers to the input/output characteristic pattern thus approximated and generates an input intensity command signal for controlling the laser oscillator to accurately produce the desired laser beam intensity irrespective of the deviation between the actual input/output characteristic and the normal characteristic.