Restructuring Activities Restucturing Activities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Expected future restructuring charges	$ 8,000		$ 8,000
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Severance and other restructuring reserve, beginning balance			5,592
Provision			13,650
Payments			(11,797)
Other, including foreign currency			90
Severance and other restructuring reserve, ending balance	7,535		7,535
Restructuring Charges	4,083	3,113	13,650	6,626
Selling and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring Charges	2,610	1,835	10,948	4,106
Cost of Goods and Services [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring Charges	1,473	1,278	2,702	2,520
Communication Technologies Segment [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring Charges	928	669	2,586	1,820
Energy Segment [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring Charges	55	741	550	2,538
Engineered Systems Segment [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring Charges	3,190	1,093	4,616	2,485
Printing and Identification Segment [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring Charges	(90)	610	5,898	(217)
Employee Severance [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Severance and other restructuring reserve, beginning balance			2,463
Provision			10,463
Payments			(8,465)
Other, including foreign currency			7
Severance and other restructuring reserve, ending balance	4,468		4,468
Facility Closing [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Severance and other restructuring reserve, beginning balance			3,129
Provision			3,187
Payments			(3,332)
Other, including foreign currency			83
Severance and other restructuring reserve, ending balance	$ 3,067		$ 3,067