Restructuring Activities Restucturing Activities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Expected future restructuring charges	$ 4,000		$ 4,000
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Severance and other restructuring reserve, beginning balance			5,592
Provision			9,567
Payments			(6,382)
Other, including foreign currency			(47)
Severance and other restructuring reserve, ending balance	8,730		8,730
Restructuring Charges	8,064	2,034	9,567	3,513
Selling and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring Charges	7,251	878	8,338	2,271
Cost of Goods and Services [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring Charges	813	1,156	1,229	1,242
Communication Technologies Segment [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring Charges	649	891	1,658	1,151
Energy Segment [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring Charges	495	1,387	495	1,797
Engineered Systems Segment [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring Charges	1,301	530	1,426	1,392
Printing and Identification Segment [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring Charges	5,619	(774)	5,988	(827)
Employee Severance [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Severance and other restructuring reserve, beginning balance			2,463
Provision			8,548
Payments			(4,362)
Other, including foreign currency			(20)
Severance and other restructuring reserve, ending balance	6,629		6,629
Facility Closing [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Severance and other restructuring reserve, beginning balance			3,129
Provision			1,019
Payments			(2,020)
Other, including foreign currency			(27)
Severance and other restructuring reserve, ending balance	$ 2,101		$ 2,101