Segment Information (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
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 2,156,508	$ 1,994,970	$ 4,219,872	$ 3,807,048
Reconciliation of Earnings from Continuing Operations from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Earnings from continuing operations before provision for income taxes and discontinued operations	293,688	297,963	560,483	526,781
Interest expense, net	29,717	28,157	59,744	56,475
Provision for income taxes	80,786	58,765	150,754	112,792
Earnings from continuing operations	212,902	239,198	409,729	413,989
Communication Technologies Segment [Member]
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated [Abstract]
Revenue	361,689	288,843	719,264	558,425
Reconciliation of Earnings from Continuing Operations from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Earnings from continuing operations before provision for income taxes and discontinued operations	50,322	54,527	96,878	101,852
Energy Segment [Member]
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated [Abstract]
Revenue	538,786	454,327	1,070,356	879,751
Reconciliation of Earnings from Continuing Operations from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Earnings from continuing operations before provision for income taxes and discontinued operations	133,936	110,447	266,051	203,498
Engineered Systems Segment [Member]
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated [Abstract]
Revenue	886,123	823,180	1,708,247	1,546,447
Reconciliation of Earnings from Continuing Operations from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Earnings from continuing operations before provision for income taxes and discontinued operations	133,808	128,570	255,900	226,805
Printing and Identification Segment [Member]
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated [Abstract]
Revenue	370,173	429,497	722,505	824,124
Reconciliation of Earnings from Continuing Operations from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Earnings from continuing operations before provision for income taxes and discontinued operations	41,674	67,967	74,279	122,604
Intersegment Elimination [Member]
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated [Abstract]
Revenue	(263)	(877)	(500)	(1,699)
Total segments [Member]
Reconciliation of Earnings from Continuing Operations from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Earnings from continuing operations before provision for income taxes and discontinued operations	359,740	361,511	693,108	654,759
Corporate expense / other [Member]
Reconciliation of Earnings from Continuing Operations from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Earnings from continuing operations before provision for income taxes and discontinued operations	$ 36,335	$ 35,391	$ 72,881	$ 71,503