Representing a 14.7 percent increase from the first quarter, second-quarter 2007 orders of industrial laser equipment and systems reached $141.5 million, according to a report from the Association for Manufacturing Technology based in McLean, Va.

Statistics indicate that second-quarter orders within North America totaled $107 million, while exports amounted to approximately $34.5 million. Orders for CO₂ laser systems increased 19.3 percent, and for Nd:YAG lasers, 20.6 percent. Lasers for two-dimensional cutting applications accounted for 70.5 percent of all orders.

The report also indicates that, in the second quarter, CO₂ lasers made up 81.4 percent of the industrial orders. Of the total orders taken, 82.3 percent were configured as laser systems.

The dollar figures are based on data submitted by companies participating in the Laser Market Data Survey. The percent change in CO₂ and Nd:YAG lasers reflects the contributions of only those companies that participated in the survey in both quarters.