CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 676,969	$ 662,455	$ 1,306,748	$ 1,290,055
Cost of sales	332,710	320,492	636,775	621,009
Gross profit	344,259	341,963	669,973	669,046
Selling, general and administrative expenses	196,299	206,009	391,183	401,974
Research and development	24,979	23,399	48,246	45,974
Restructuring and other charges, net	9,170	4,399	18,368	8,673
Interest expense, net	5,195	6,017	11,172	5,449
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes	108,616	102,139	201,004	206,976
Provision for income taxes	24,950	21,820	45,825	37,492
Net earnings from continuing operations	83,666	80,319	155,179	169,484
Earnings/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	0	(3,549)	0	246,758
Net earnings	$ 83,666	$ 76,770	$ 155,179	$ 416,242
Earnings per share from continuing operations:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.76	$ 0.71	$ 1.39	$ 1.49
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.75	$ 0.70	$ 1.38	$ 1.48
Earnings/(loss) per share from discontinued operations:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00	$ (0.03)	$ 0.00	$ 2.18
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00	$ (0.03)	$ 0.00	$ 2.15
Earnings per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.76	$ 0.68	$ 1.39	$ 3.67
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.75	$ 0.67	$ 1.38	$ 3.63
Dividends declared per share	$ 0.000	$ 0.250	$ 0.275	$ 0.500
Average shares outstanding:
Basic	110,720	112,420	111,263	113,398
Diluted	111,980	113,809	112,532	114,784