Segment Information (Segment Results) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Oct. 01, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Oct. 01, 2010
Total Sales	$ 4,518,089	$ 3,092,836	$ 11,575,465	$ 9,318,093
Operating Profit	656,144	553,113	1,872,835	1,492,424
Test & Measurement [Member]
Total Sales	856,700	697,200	2,535,400	2,031,500
Operating Profit	205,200	145,000	567,600	414,100
Environmental [Member]
Total Sales	734,600	678,600	2,133,200	1,986,300
Operating Profit	158,500	143,400	445,800	398,000
Life Sciences & Diagnostics [Member]
Total Sales	1,567,400	559,800	2,898,800	1,616,400
Operating Profit	52,100	69,100	177,000	138,300
Dental [Member]
Total Sales	492,600	443,000	1,460,800	1,303,100
Operating Profit	71,500	57,300	176,000	140,100
Industrial Technologies [Member]
Total Sales	866,800	714,200	2,547,300	2,065,200
Operating Profit	187,200	151,400	549,300	421,400
Businesses Contributed To Apex Joint Venture Attributable To Periods Prior To Contribution [Member]
Total Sales				315,600
Operating Profit				41,500
Equity Method Earnings Subsequent To JV Formation [Member]
Operating Profit	16,000	10,600	44,900	10,600
Other [Member]
Operating Profit	$ (34,400)	$ (23,700)	$ (87,800)	$ (71,600)