Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ (22,333,000)	$ (6,272,000)	$ 6,340,000
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash from operating activities:
Depreciation	11,385,000	11,159,000	8,880,000
Amortization of intangible assets	166,000	203,000	299,000
Amortization of prepaid debt costs	18,000	20,000	60,000
Loss on lease due to restructuring	1,043,000	0	0
Pension cost	412,000	319,000	20,000
Stock-based compensation expense	3,946,000	3,967,000	3,980,000
Unrealized loss (gain) on foreign currency exchange rates	1,631,000	(2,126,000)	0
Release of tax valuation allowance	(170,000)	0	0
Provision for (recovery of) losses on accounts receivable	281,000	20,000	(35,000)
Provision for losses on inventory	541,000	910,000	1,622,000
Provision for warranties	1,327,000	717,000	0
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Trade and other accounts receivable	315,000	(15,100,000)	3,729,000
Inventories	5,251,000	(1,520,000)	(4,568,000)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(53,000)	(99,000)	129,000
Pension asset	(650,000)	(724,000)	0
Deferred tax liability	2,017,000	2,250,000	994,000
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	5,031,000	144,000	(2,559,000)
Deferred revenue and customer deposits	2,362,000	46,000	(5,365,000)
Accrued employee compensation	(2,670,000)	651,000	4,018,000
Other long-term liabilities	(470,000)	(728,000)	2,347,000
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	9,380,000	(6,163,000)	19,891,000
Investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	(4,143,000)	(6,975,000)	(16,850,000)
Net cash used in investing activities	(4,143,000)	(6,975,000)	(16,850,000)
Financing activities:
Principal payments on long-term debt and short-term borrowings	(18,845,000)	(7,164,000)	(10,430,000)
Proceeds from long-term and short-term borrowings	3,040,000	15,279,000	8,709,000
Repurchase of shares	0	0	(47,000)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock under equity compensation plans	875,000	1,448,000	412,000
Proceeds from sale of common stock, net of offering costs	9,564,000	0	0
Restricted cash - compensating balance	(400,000)	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(5,766,000)	9,563,000	(1,356,000)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents from operations	(529,000)	(3,575,000)	1,685,000
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	179,000	(2,340,000)	223,000
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(350,000)	(5,915,000)	1,908,000
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	24,732,000	30,647,000	28,739,000
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	24,382,000	24,732,000	30,647,000
Cash paid for:
Interest	245,000	223,000	190,000
Income taxes	3,475,000	3,304,000	1,950,000
Purchases of property and equipment included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$ 345,000	$ 889,000	$ 575,000