Restructuring, Acquisition and Divestiture Related Costs - Additional Information (Details) $ in Thousands		1 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) Facility	Aug. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) Facility	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Restructuring, Acquisition and Divestiture Related Costs [Line Items]
Restructuring Costs						$ 2,970	$ 5,840	$ 414
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment						7,037	127	112
Gain on sale of facilities						1,707	(1)	(19)
Cash payments						4,181	3,126
Divestiture related charges							1,113
Finders' Fees, Legal, Valuation And Other Professional Or Consulting Fees
Restructuring, Acquisition and Divestiture Related Costs [Line Items]
Acquisition and related charges						2,500	1,500	900
Earn-out Agreement
Restructuring, Acquisition and Divestiture Related Costs [Line Items]
Acquisition and related charges						2,500	(200)	600
Scenario, Forecast
Restructuring, Acquisition and Divestiture Related Costs [Line Items]
Cash payments					$ 1,000
Severance
Restructuring, Acquisition and Divestiture Related Costs [Line Items]
Cash payments						3,170	2,668
Facility
Restructuring, Acquisition and Divestiture Related Costs [Line Items]
Cash payments						104	156
Other Restructuring Charges
Restructuring, Acquisition and Divestiture Related Costs [Line Items]
Cash payments	[1]					$ 907	302
2016 Restructuring
Restructuring, Acquisition and Divestiture Related Costs [Line Items]
Restructuring plan						During the third quarter of 2015, the Company initiated the 2016 restructuring program, which includes consolidating certain of 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. Restructuring costs incurred in 2016 of $2.4 million, $(0.2) million and $0.8 million were related to severance, facility, and other, respectively. We substantially completed the 2016 restructuring program during the second quarter of 2016. In August 2016, the Company sold our facility in Chatsworth, California for a net cash consideration of $3.4 million and recognized a gain on sale of $1.6 million as part of restructuring, acquisition and divestiture related costs. As of December 31, 2016, the Company incurred cumulative costs related to this restructuring plan totaling $6.2 million, net of the gain on sale of the Chatsworth, California facility. The Company expects to incur additional restructuring charges of $0.2 million to $0.3 million related to the 2016 restructuring plan in the next twelve months.
Restructuring Costs						$ 3,049	3,148
2016 Restructuring | Severance
Restructuring, Acquisition and Divestiture Related Costs [Line Items]
Restructuring Costs						2,400
2016 Restructuring | Facility
Restructuring, Acquisition and Divestiture Related Costs [Line Items]
Restructuring Costs						(200)
2016 Restructuring | Other Restructuring Charges
Restructuring, Acquisition and Divestiture Related Costs [Line Items]
Restructuring Costs						800
2016 Restructuring | Cumulative Restructuring Costs
Restructuring, Acquisition and Divestiture Related Costs [Line Items]
Restructuring Costs						6,200
2016 Restructuring | Minimum | Additional Restructuring Costs
Restructuring, Acquisition and Divestiture Related Costs [Line Items]
Restructuring Costs						200
2016 Restructuring | Maximum | Additional Restructuring Costs
Restructuring, Acquisition and Divestiture Related Costs [Line Items]
Restructuring Costs						300
2016 Restructuring | Chatsworth Facility
Restructuring, Acquisition and Divestiture Related Costs [Line Items]
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment			$ 3,400
Gain on sale of facilities			$ 1,600			$ 1,600
2015 Restructuring
Restructuring, Acquisition and Divestiture Related Costs [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 incurred in 2015 of $1.4 million and $0.1 million were related to severance and other, respectively. The plan was completed during 2015.
Restructuring Costs							1,484
2015 Restructuring | Severance
Restructuring, Acquisition and Divestiture Related Costs [Line Items]
Restructuring Costs							1,400
2015 Restructuring | Other Restructuring Charges
Restructuring, Acquisition and Divestiture Related Costs [Line Items]
Restructuring Costs							100
2011 Restructuring
Restructuring, Acquisition and Divestiture Related Costs [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. In March 2016, the Company sold our previously exited facility located in Orlando, Florida for cash at the net carrying value of $3.5 million. In December 2016, the lease agreement for the Company’s previously exited laser scanner business facility was terminated, which resulted in a benefit of $0.2 million. Restructuring costs from the 2011 restructuring program recognized in 2016 are primarily depreciation and other costs related to the Orlando, Florida facility and the previously exited laser scanners business facility.
Restructuring Costs						$ (79)	$ 1,208	$ 389
Number of facilities exited | Facility		11				11
2011 Restructuring | Semiconductor and Laser Systems Business [Member]
Restructuring, Acquisition and Divestiture Related Costs [Line Items]
Number of facilities exited | Facility		5				5
2011 Restructuring | Orlando Facility
Restructuring, Acquisition and Divestiture Related Costs [Line Items]
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment				$ 3,500
2011 Restructuring | Laser Scanner
Restructuring, Acquisition and Divestiture Related Costs [Line Items]
Restructuring Costs		$ 200

[1] Other restructuring charges mainly related to consulting fees and relocation costs.