Sales and Gross Margin for Reportable Segments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2013		Mar. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	$ 83,114		$ 65,186
Gross profit	33,163		27,681
Gross profit margin percentage	39.90%		42.50%
Laser Products
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	46,208		44,162
Gross profit	18,038		18,585
Gross profit margin percentage	39.00%		42.10%
Precision Technologies
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	36,906		21,024
Gross profit	15,232		9,278
Gross profit margin percentage	41.30%		44.10%
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Gross profit	$ (107)	[1]	$ (182)	[1]

[1] Corporate costs primarily represent unallocated overhead related to discontinued operations.