Segment Information (Segment Results) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2012	Apr. 01, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of segments reported	5
Sales	$ 4,316,220	$ 3,292,198
Operating Profit	734,868	584,853
Test & Measurement [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	846,400	830,500
Operating Profit	191,600	172,200
Environmental [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	694,600	668,000
Operating Profit	129,100	128,900
Life Sciences & Diagnostics [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	1,545,900	626,600
Operating Profit	205,900	90,400
Dental [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	464,700	463,500
Operating Profit	58,900	49,500
Industrial Technologies [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	764,600	703,600
Operating Profit	157,800	155,800
Equity Method Earnings Of Apex Joint Venture [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Profit	14,300	14,500
Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Profit	$ (22,700)	$ (26,500)