1.0.0.3 true Consolidated Statement of Stockholders Equity (USD $) In Thousands false 1 $ true false false false Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis xbrldi http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi us-gaap_PreferredStockMember us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis explicitMember USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 false 2 $ true false false false Common Stock, $0.01 par value us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis xbrldi http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi us-gaap_CommonStockMember us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis explicitMember USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 false 3 $ true false false false Capital in Excess of Par Value us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis xbrldi http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis explicitMember USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 false 4 $ true false false false Retained Earnings us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis xbrldi http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis explicitMember USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 false 5 $ true false false false Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis xbrldi http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis explicitMember USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 false 6 $ true false false false Foreign currency translation us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis xbrldi http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis explicitMember USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 false 7 $ true false false false Defined benefit pension plans us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis xbrldi http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis explicitMember USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 false 8 $ true false false false Unrealized holding gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis xbrldi http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis explicitMember USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 false 9 $ true false false false Treasury Stock us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis xbrldi http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis explicitMember USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 false 10 $ false false Shares Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 USDEPS Divide http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 5 Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2006 3 us-gaap_StockholdersEquity us-gaap true credit instant monetary No definition available. false false false true false false true false false 1 true true 0 0 true false 2 true true 1085000 1085 true false 3 true true 134001000 134001 true false 4 true true 902379000 902379 true false 5 false false 0 0 false false 6 true true -1137000 -1137 true false 7 true true -33213000 -33213 true false 8 true true 798000 798 true false 9 true true -37241000 -37241 true false 10 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 7 Shares issued 3 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false true 12000 12 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 true false 8 false false 0 0 true false 9 false false 0 0 true false 10 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 8 Issuance of common stock under employee stock plans 3 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueTreasuryStockReissued us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false true 15455000 15455 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 true false 8 false false 0 0 true false 9 false true 3357000 3357 true false 10 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 9 Share-based compensation costs 3 us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false true 15530000 15530 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 true false 8 false false 0 0 true false 9 false false 0 0 true false 10 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 10 Excess tax benefits from exercise of stock options 3 us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalTaxEffectFromShareBasedCompensation us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false true 9464000 9464 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 true false 8 false false 0 0 true false 9 false false 0 0 true false 10 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 11 Adoption of FIN 48 3 us-gaap_CumulativeEffectOfInitialAdoptionOfFIN48 us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false true -5901000 -5901 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 true false 8 false false 0 0 true false 9 false false 0 0 true false 10 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 12 Net income 3 us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false true 228020000 228020 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 true false 8 false false 0 0 true false 9 false false 0 0 true false 10 false true 228020000 228020 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 13 Cash dividends paid 3 us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false true -25748000 -25748 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 true false 8 false false 0 0 true false 9 false false 0 0 true false 10 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 14 Other 3 us-gaap_StockholdersEquityOther us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false true 361000 361 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 true false 8 false false 0 0 true false 9 false false 0 0 true false 10 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 15 Foreign currency translation: 3 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecreaseAbstract us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false true false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 true false 8 false false 0 0 true false 9 false false 0 0 true false 10 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. false 16 Translation adjustments 4 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease us-gaap true na duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false true 6056000 6056 true false 7 false false 0 0 true false 8 false false 0 0 true false 9 false false 0 0 true false 10 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 17 Gain (loss) on net investment hedges, net of tax (expense) benefit of ($2,290), $6,058 and ($1,298) in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively 4 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeDerivativesQualifyingAsHedgesNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease us-gaap true na duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false true 2412000 2412 true false 7 false false 0 0 true false 8 false false 0 0 true false 9 false false 0 0 true false 10 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 18 Total Foreign Currency Translation 4 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false true 8468000 8468 true false 7 false false 0 0 true false 8 false false 0 0 true false 9 false false 0 0 true false 10 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 19 Defined benefit pension plans: 3 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecreaseAbstract us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false true false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 true false 8 false false 0 0 true false 9 false false 0 0 true false 10 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. false 20 Change in pension plans, net of tax (expense) benefit of ($15,830), $56,344 and ($14,141) in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively 4 ame_ChangeInPensionPlansNetOfTaxBenefitExpense ame false credit duration monetary Change in pension plans, net of tax benefit (expense). false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false true 30173000 30173 true false 8 false false 0 0 true false 9 false false 0 0 true false 10 false false 0 0 false false Change in pension plans, net of tax benefit (expense). No authoritative reference available. false 21 Unrealized holding gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities: 3 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecreaseAbstract us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false true false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 true false 8 false false 0 0 true false 9 false false 0 0 true false 10 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. false 22 Increase (decrease) during the year, net of tax benefit (expense) of $343, ($958), $151 in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively 4 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease us-gaap true na duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 true false 8 false true 281000 281 true false 9 false false 0 0 true false 10 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 23 Total other comprehensive income (loss) for the year 3 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false true 38922000 38922 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 true false 8 false false 0 0 true false 9 false false 0 0 true false 10 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 24 Total comprehensive income for the year 3 us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false true 266942000 266942 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 true false 8 false false 0 0 true false 9 false false 0 0 true false 10 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 25 Purchase of treasury stock 3 us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 true false 8 false false 0 0 true false 9 false true -5437000 -5437 true false 10 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 26 Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2007 3 us-gaap_StockholdersEquity us-gaap true credit instant monetary No definition available. false false false true false false false true false 1 false true 0 0 true false 2 false true 1097000 1097 true false 3 false true 174450000 174450 true false 4 false true 1099111000 1099111 true false 5 false true 5370000 5370 true false 6 false true 7331000 7331 true false 7 false true -3040000 -3040 true false 8 false true 1079000 1079 true false 9 false true -39321000 -39321 true false 10 false true 1240707000 1240707 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 7 Shares issued 3 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false true 5000 5 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 true false 8 false false 0 0 true false 9 false false 0 0 true false 10 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 8 Issuance of common stock under employee stock plans 3 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueTreasuryStockReissued us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false true 3474000 3474 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 true false 8 false false 0 0 true false 9 false true 4732000 4732 true false 10 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 9 Share-based compensation costs 3 us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false true 20186000 20186 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 true false 8 false false 0 0 true false 9 false false 0 0 true false 10 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 10 Excess tax benefits from exercise of stock options 3 us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalTaxEffectFromShareBasedCompensation us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false true 4890000 4890 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 true false 8 false false 0 0 true false 9 false false 0 0 true false 10 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 11 Adoption of FIN 48 3 us-gaap_CumulativeEffectOfInitialAdoptionOfFIN48 us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false true 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 true false 8 false false 0 0 true false 9 false false 0 0 true false 10 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 12 Net income 3 us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false true 246952000 246952 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 true false 8 false false 0 0 true false 9 false false 0 0 true false 10 false true 246952000 246952 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 13 Cash dividends paid 3 us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false true -25685000 -25685 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 true false 8 false false 0 0 true false 9 false false 0 0 true false 10 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 14 Other 3 us-gaap_StockholdersEquityOther us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false true 92000 92 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 true false 8 false false 0 0 true false 9 false false 0 0 true false 10 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 15 Foreign currency translation: 3 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecreaseAbstract us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false true false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 true false 8 false false 0 0 true false 9 false false 0 0 true false 10 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. false 16 Translation adjustments 4 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease us-gaap true na duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false true -46784000 -46784 true false 7 false false 0 0 true false 8 false false 0 0 true false 9 false false 0 0 true false 10 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 17 Gain (loss) on net investment hedges, net of tax (expense) benefit of ($2,290), $6,058 and ($1,298) in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively 4 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeDerivativesQualifyingAsHedgesNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease us-gaap true na duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false true -11253000 -11253 true false 7 false false 0 0 true false 8 false false 0 0 true false 9 false false 0 0 true false 10 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 18 Total Foreign Currency Translation 4 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false true -58037000 -58037 true false 7 false false 0 0 true false 8 false false 0 0 true false 9 false false 0 0 true false 10 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 19 Defined benefit pension plans: 3 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecreaseAbstract us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false true false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 true false 8 false false 0 0 true false 9 false false 0 0 true false 10 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. false 20 Change in pension plans, net of tax (expense) benefit of ($15,830), $56,344 and ($14,141) in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively 4 ame_ChangeInPensionPlansNetOfTaxBenefitExpense ame false credit duration monetary Change in pension plans, net of tax benefit (expense). false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false true -90320000 -90320 true false 8 false false 0 0 true false 9 false false 0 0 true false 10 false false 0 0 false false Change in pension plans, net of tax benefit (expense). No authoritative reference available. false 21 Unrealized holding gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities: 3 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecreaseAbstract us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false true false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 true false 8 false false 0 0 true false 9 false false 0 0 true false 10 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. false 22 Increase (decrease) during the year, net of tax benefit (expense) of $343, ($958), $151 in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively 4 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease us-gaap true na duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 true false 8 false true -1780000 -1780 true false 9 false false 0 0 true false 10 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 23 Total other comprehensive income (loss) for the year 3 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false true -150137000 -150137 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 true false 8 false false 0 0 true false 9 false false 0 0 true false 10 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 24 Total comprehensive income for the year 3 us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false true 96815000 96815 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 true false 8 false false 0 0 true false 9 false false 0 0 true false 10 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 25 Purchase of treasury stock 3 us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 true false 8 false false 0 0 true false 9 false true -57444000 -57444 true false 10 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 26 Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2008 3 us-gaap_StockholdersEquity us-gaap true credit instant monetary No definition available. false false false true false false false true false 1 false true 0 0 true false 2 false true 1102000 1102 true false 3 false true 203000000 203000 true false 4 false true 1320470000 1320470 true false 5 false true -144767000 -144767 true false 6 false true -50706000 -50706 true false 7 false true -93360000 -93360 true false 8 false true -701000 -701 true false 9 false true -92033000 -92033 true false 10 false true 1287772000 1287772 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 7 Shares issued 3 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false true 8000 8 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 true false 8 false false 0 0 true false 9 false false 0 0 true false 10 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 8 Issuance of common stock under employee stock plans 3 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueTreasuryStockReissued us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false true 3459000 3459 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 true false 8 false false 0 0 true false 9 false true 8700000 8700 true false 10 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 9 Share-based compensation costs 3 us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false true 13502000 13502 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 true false 8 false false 0 0 true false 9 false false 0 0 true false 10 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 10 Excess tax benefits from exercise of stock options 3 us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalTaxEffectFromShareBasedCompensation us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false true 4096000 4096 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 true false 8 false false 0 0 true false 9 false false 0 0 true false 10 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 11 Adoption of FIN 48 3 us-gaap_CumulativeEffectOfInitialAdoptionOfFIN48 us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false true 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 true false 8 false false 0 0 true false 9 false false 0 0 true false 10 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 12 Net income 3 us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false true 205770000 205770 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 true false 8 false false 0 0 true false 9 false false 0 0 true false 10 false true 205770000 205770 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 13 Cash dividends paid 3 us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false true -25579000 -25579 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 true false 8 false false 0 0 true false 9 false false 0 0 true false 10 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 14 Other 3 us-gaap_StockholdersEquityOther us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false true -190000 -190 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 true false 8 false false 0 0 true false 9 false false 0 0 true false 10 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 15 Foreign currency translation: 3 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecreaseAbstract us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false true false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 true false 8 false false 0 0 true false 9 false false 0 0 true false 10 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. false 16 Translation adjustments 4 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease us-gaap true na duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false true 38357000 38357 true false 7 false false 0 0 true false 8 false false 0 0 true false 9 false false 0 0 true false 10 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 17 Gain (loss) on net investment hedges, net of tax (expense) benefit of ($2,290), $6,058 and ($1,298) in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively 4 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeDerivativesQualifyingAsHedgesNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease us-gaap true na duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false true 4253000 4253 true false 7 false false 0 0 true false 8 false false 0 0 true false 9 false false 0 0 true false 10 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 18 Total Foreign Currency Translation 4 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false true 42610000 42610 true false 7 false false 0 0 true false 8 false false 0 0 true false 9 false false 0 0 true false 10 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 19 Defined benefit pension plans: 3 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecreaseAbstract us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false true false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 true false 8 false false 0 0 true false 9 false false 0 0 true false 10 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. false 20 Change in pension plans, net of tax (expense) benefit of ($15,830), $56,344 and ($14,141) in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively 4 ame_ChangeInPensionPlansNetOfTaxBenefitExpense ame false credit duration monetary Change in pension plans, net of tax benefit (expense). false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false true 26239000 26239 true false 8 false false 0 0 true false 9 false false 0 0 true false 10 false false 0 0 false false Change in pension plans, net of tax benefit (expense). No authoritative reference available. false 21 Unrealized holding gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities: 3 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecreaseAbstract us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false true false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 true false 8 false false 0 0 true false 9 false false 0 0 true false 10 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. false 22 Increase (decrease) during the year, net of tax benefit (expense) of $343, ($958), $151 in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively 4 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease us-gaap true na duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 true false 8 false true 637000 637 true false 9 false false 0 0 true false 10 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 23 Total other comprehensive income (loss) for the year 3 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false true 69486000 69486 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 true false 8 false false 0 0 true false 9 false false 0 0 true false 10 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 24 Total comprehensive income for the year 3 us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false true 275256000 275256 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 true false 8 false false 0 0 true false 9 false false 0 0 true false 10 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 25 Purchase of treasury stock 3 us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 true false 8 false false 0 0 true false 9 false true 0 0 true false 10 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 26 Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2009 3 us-gaap_StockholdersEquity us-gaap true credit instant monetary No definition available. false false false true false false false true false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 true true 1110000 1110 true false 3 true true 224057000 224057 true false 4 true true 1500471000 1500471 true false 5 true true -75281000 -75281 true false 6 true true -8096000 -8096 true false 7 true true -67121000 -67121 true false 8 true true -64000 -64 true false 9 true true -83333000 -83333 true false 10 true true 1567024000 1567024 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false false 10 61 false Thousands UnKnown UnKnown false true