Restructuring, Acquisition and Divestiture Related Costs - Additional Information (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) Facility	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Costs		$ 5,840	$ 414	$ 3,757
Cash payments		(3,126)	(933)
Acquisition and related charges		1,301	1,521	1,630
Divestiture related charges		1,113
JK Lasers Divestiture
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Divestiture related charges		1,100
Finders' Fees, Legal, Valuation And Other Professional Or Consulting Fees
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Acquisition and related charges		1,500	900	1,600
Earn-out Agreement
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Acquisition and related charges		(200)	600	0
Scenario, Forecast
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Cash payments	$ 1,800
Severance
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Cash payments		(2,668)	(502)
Facility
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Cash payments		(156)	(293)
Other Restructuring Charges
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Cash payments		$ (302)	(138)
2016 Restructuring
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring plan		During the third quarter of 2015, the Company initiated a program targeting annualized savings of $4.5 million to $5.5 million after the program is fully executed. The 2016 restructuring program includes consolidating our manufacturing operations to optimize our facility footprint and better utilize resources, and reducing redundant costs due to productivity cost savings and business volume reductions. We anticipate completing the 2016 restructuring program during the second quarter of 2016.
Restructuring Costs		$ 3,148
2016 Restructuring | Severance
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Costs		2,600
2016 Restructuring | Facility
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Costs		300
2016 Restructuring | Other Restructuring Charges
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Costs		$ 200
2015 Restructuring
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring plan		During the first quarter of 2015, the Company implemented a program to eliminate redundant costs, as a result of acquisition and divestiture activities, to better align our operations to our strategic growth plans, to further integrate our business lines, and as a consequence of our productivity initiatives.
Restructuring Costs		$ 1,484
2015 Restructuring | Severance
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Costs		1,400
2015 Restructuring | Other Restructuring Charges
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Costs		$ 100
2013 Restructuring
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring plan		During the first half of 2013, the Company initiated a program following our acquisition of NDS to integrate the NDS business into our operating structure and further reduce manufacturing and operating costs across businesses to leverage our infrastructure and further integrate our product lines.
Restructuring Costs			25	2,463
2011 Restructuring
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring plan		In November 2011, the Company announced a strategic initiative (“2011 restructuring”) which aimed to consolidate operations to reduce the Company’s cost structure and improve operational efficiency. In total, eleven facilities have been exited as part of the 2011 restructuring plan. These eliminations resulted in the consolidation of the manufacturing facilities of the Scientific Lasers business and the optics products, the consolidation of the Company’s German operations into one facility, the consolidation of the laser scanners business into the Company’s Bedford, Massachusetts facility and the consolidation of the Company’s Japan operation into one facility. Included in the eleven facilities exited are five facilities exited as part of the Semiconductor and Laser Systems business divestitures. The restructuring costs for the Semiconductor and Laser Systems businesses have been excluded from the table below as they have been reported as part of the operating results from discontinued operations. The Company substantially completed the 2011 restructuring program in 2013. Restructuring costs from the 2011 restructuring program recognized in 2014 and 2015 are primarily depreciation and other costs for the idle facility that was vacated by the Laser Systems business.
Restructuring Costs		$ 1,208	$ 389	$ 1,287
Number of facilities exited | Facility		11