Restructuring, Acquisition and Divestiture Related Costs - Additional Information (Details) $ in Thousands		1 Months Ended			12 Months Ended				16 Months Ended	74 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 Facility
Restructuring and Acquisition Related Costs [Line Items]
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment						$ 46	$ 7,037	$ 127
Gain on sale of facilities						(36)	1,707	(1)
Restructuring Costs						346	2,970	5,840
Cash payments						1,212	4,181
Acquisition and related charges						7,196	4,975	1,301
Divestiture related charges								1,113
Finders' Fees, Legal, Valuation And Other Professional Or Consulting Fees
Restructuring and Acquisition Related Costs [Line Items]
Acquisition and related charges						6,800	2,500	1,500
Earn-out Agreement
Restructuring and Acquisition Related Costs [Line Items]
Acquisition and related charges						400	2,500	(200)
Scenario, Forecast
Restructuring and Acquisition Related Costs [Line Items]
Cash payments					$ 400
Severance
Restructuring and Acquisition Related Costs [Line Items]
Cash payments						692	3,170
Other Restructuring Charges
Restructuring and Acquisition Related Costs [Line Items]
Cash payments	[1]					$ 17	907
2016 Restructuring
Restructuring and Acquisition Related Costs [Line Items]
Restructuring plan						During the third quarter of 2015, the Company initiated the 2016 restructuring program, which included consolidating certain manufacturing operations to optimize facility footprint and better utilize resources, and reducing redundant costs due to productivity cost savings and business volume reductions. In August 2016, the Company sold its 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, 2017, the Company incurred cumulative costs related to this restructuring plan totaling $6.5 million, net of the gain on the sale of the Chatsworth, California facility. The plan was completed in 2017.
Restructuring Costs						$ 332	3,049	3,148
2016 Restructuring | Cumulative Restructuring Costs
Restructuring and Acquisition Related Costs [Line Items]
Restructuring Costs									$ 6,500
2016 Restructuring | Chatsworth Facility
Restructuring and Acquisition 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 and Acquisition 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 operations to the Company’s strategic growth plans, to further integrate its business lines, and as a consequence of 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 and Acquisition Related Costs [Line Items]
Restructuring Costs								1,400
2015 Restructuring | Other Restructuring Charges
Restructuring and Acquisition Related Costs [Line Items]
Restructuring Costs								100
2011 Restructuring
Restructuring and Acquisition 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 its previously exited Laser Systems 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						$ 14	$ (79)	$ 1,208
Number of facilities exited | Facility										11
2011 Restructuring | Semiconductor and Laser Systems Business [Member]
Restructuring and Acquisition Related Costs [Line Items]
Number of facilities exited | Facility										5
2011 Restructuring | Orlando Facility
Restructuring and Acquisition Related Costs [Line Items]
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment				$ 3,500
2011 Restructuring | Laser Scanner
Restructuring and Acquisition Related Costs [Line Items]
Gain on sale of facilities		$ 200

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