Cutting applications spurred an increase in shipments of industrial laser systems and equipment for North America and the US. Overall, shipments increased 16 percent in 1997 over 1996, according to a report from The Association for Manufacturing Technology in McLean, Va.
Forty-three companies reported sales of $431.7 million for North America, while exports accounted for $153.7 million. Cutting applications were the largest source of activity, constituting more than 50 percent of all shipments. Nearly 60 percent of all industrial lasers shipped were CO₂ lasers, and more than 75 percent were configured as a laser system.