Defined Benefit Plans (Schedule of Maxwell SA Net Pension Cost ) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Schedule of net periodic pension cost
Service cost	$ 309	$ 251
Interest cost	58	59
Expected return on plan assets	(322)	(258)
Prior service cost amortization	24	38
Net pension cost	69	90
Swiss Pension Plan
Schedule of net periodic pension cost
Service cost			$ 939	$ 737
Interest cost			175	172
Expected return on plan assets			(978)	(757)
Prior service cost amortization			72	113
Net pension cost			208	265
Swiss Pension Plan | Cost recognized as a component of compensation cost
Schedule of net periodic pension cost
Net pension cost	309	251	939	737
Swiss Pension Plan | Net cost recognized in other components of defined benefit plans, net
Schedule of net periodic pension cost
Net pension cost	$ (240)	$ (161)	$ (731)	$ (472)