Could happen to anyone, particularly in the pre-caffeine hours when those blood corpuscles just trudge around.
Good to know this Forum allowing the linking of explicit content 
A thought from me:
could it not work with an Arduino with Marlin software as a controller?
With 3D printers, you can make a virtual impression of the print bed. The bed then follows the footprint up and down, maintaining the optimal distance from the print head.
Couldn’t that be transferred to the laser table?
It would actually work the same way.
Try this T clamp, slips into your mesh and clamps down your ply. Adjustments may be necessary.