Driven by an increased demand in cutting applications, industrial laser shipments rose to $152.6 million, a 6 percent increase over last year's levels, according to the Association for Manufacturing Technology. Cutting applications accounted for nearly 55 percent of all shipments, while CO2 lasers remained the most popular, accounting for more than 60 percent of delivered lasers. More than 80 percent of total shipments were configured as a laser system.Bob Zimmerman, chairman of the association's laser product group, attributed the increase to a resurgence in spending by the automotive and off-highway construction industries. Industrial laser equipment and systems shipments within North America accounted for $111.9 million and exports amounted to $40.7 million.