Frank Andorka

As firms update cutting technology, fiber and CO2 lasers get a big boost.

Growth continues to outpace 2010 by 108%.

New protocol allows more flexibility in getting the information you want when you need it.

"We need to reinvigorate our manufacturing industry to lead the world."

Some nanotechnology experts have pushed for more explicit guidelines in the nanotechnology field because it would help spur innovation and commercialization.

Technology spending is up on machines and software that help businesses run leaner so they can drop more money to the bottom line.

Numbers for April are down 21% from March, but are still up 105% over 2010.