Securities (including those issuable pursuant to contingent stock agreements) that could potentially dilute earnings per share (EPS) in the future that were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because vesting conditions were not met for the period presented.

No definition available.

Name:	novt_EarningPerSharePotentiallyDilutiveSecurities
Namespace Prefix:	novt_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings per Common Share (Parenthetical) (Details) - shares		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2018	Sep. 28, 2018	Sep. 29, 2017	Sep. 28, 2018	Sep. 29, 2017
EPS Performance-based Restricted Stock Units
Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Contingently issuable shares excluded from calculation of denominator		53,968	53,968	53,968	53,968
Laser Quantum \| Restricted Stock
Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Contingently issuable shares excluded from calculation of denominator	213,219	213,219		213,219