CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2017	Apr. 01, 2016
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Consolidated net income		$ 34,274	$ 1,906
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	[1]	1,440	65
Pension liability adjustments, net of tax	[2]	205	449
Total other comprehensive income (loss)		1,645	514
Total consolidated comprehensive income (loss)		35,919	2,420
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest		(22)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Novanta Inc.		$ 35,897	$ 2,420

[1] The tax effect on this component of comprehensive income was nominal for all periods presented.

[2] The tax effect on this component of comprehensive income was nominal for all periods presented. See Note 4 for the total amount of pension liability adjustments reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).