MCLEAN, VA—The Laser Systems Product Group of The Association for Manufacturing Technology (AMT), made up of AMT member companies that manufacture laser systems and industrial laser sources, reports that year-to-date 2004 shipments of industrial laser equipment and systems for North America and U.S. exports were at $452.8 million. This is a 65% rise from levels earlier this year, according to LSPG.

Cutting applications became the largest source of industrial laser activity during the first three quarters of 2004, making up approximately 50% of all shipments according to the report. In the third quarter, more than 55% of industrial lasers shipped were CO2—variety lasers and more than 85% of the total shipments were categorized as laser systems, a laser source and workspace.