Apparatus and method for combining multiple laser beams in laser material processing systems

Each one of multiple laser sources are independently separately mounted on a laser material processing platform and their beam paths are combined by a combiner which includes one or more optical elements mounted in the laser material processing platform which make the beam paths parallel and colinear. The combined beams are then moved in X and Y planes relative to a workpiece supported in the laser material processing platform under the control of a computer in the performance of work in accordance with a work program. The beam path of each laser source and the optical axis of the beam delivery system are each pre-aligned to the same predetermined reference and automatically coincide upon installation such that these components are rapidly and interchangeably interfaceable. The beams are orthogonally polarized and the optical elements of the combiner transmit one beam while reflecting another beam. While two laser beams are shown, an infinite number of laser beams may be used.