Retirement Plans - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employer contributions	$ 800	$ 1,500
Benefits and administrative expenses	57,291	54,147	$ 52,527
Expected payments for fiscal year 2016	$ 300
Defined Contribution Pension Plan 401k
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employer matching contribution percentage of employee contributions of eligible compensation	4.00%
Company's contributions to the plan	$ 5,100	5,200	4,900
Defined Contribution Pension Plan 401k | Minimum
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage employees may contribute of their eligible compensation to the plan	1.00%
Defined Contribution Pension Plan 401k | Maximum
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage employees may contribute of their eligible compensation to the plan	80.00%
Analogic Canada Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected to be amortized, net actuarial loss	$ 200
Employer contributions	800	1,600	1,700
Benefits and administrative expenses	500	1,000	$ 600
Analogic Canada Plan | General and Administrative
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected contributions for fiscal year 2016	700
Expected payments for fiscal year 2016	400
Analogic Canada Plan | Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
ABO balances	$ 12,300	$ 12,800