A knowledge-based adaptive control environment is constructed to enhan
ce the cost performance of a laser manufacturing system, this decrease
s the dependence on a skilled technician and reduces process developme
nt lead time. The control environment consists of two shells: a pre-pr
ocess knowledge-based management system (KBMS) expert shell and an ada
ptive process controller. Experimental results are presented which sho
w how effectively the adaptive control system improves process quality
.