Commitments and Contingent Liabilities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Letters of Credit [Abstract]
Outstanding in letters of credit with financial institutions	$ 74,733
Letters of credit expiration dates	2012 throught 2026
Movement in Standard and Extended Product Warranty, Increase (Decrease) [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	42,524	40,032
Provision for warranties	8,018	9,251
Settlements made	(8,008)	(8,822)
Other adjustments, including currency translation	3,313	658
Ending Balance	45,847	41,119
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Severance and other restructuring reserve, beginning balance	5,592
Provision	1,503
Payments	(2,342)
Other	53
Severance and other restructuring reserve, ending balance	4,806
Restructuring charges	1,503	1,479
Cost of Goods and Services [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring charges	416	86
Selling and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring charges	1,087	1,393
Communication Technologies Segment [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring charges	1,009	260
Energy Segment [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring charges	0	410
Engineered Systems Segment [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring charges	125	862
Printing and Identification Segment [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring charges	369	(53)
Employee Severance [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Severance and other restructuring reserve, beginning balance	2,463
Provision	1,216
Payments	(1,314)
Other	22
Severance and other restructuring reserve, ending balance	2,387
Facility Closing [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Severance and other restructuring reserve, beginning balance	3,129
Provision	287
Payments	(1,028)
Other	31
Severance and other restructuring reserve, ending balance	$ 2,419