SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information, Revenue for Reportable Segment [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 673,794us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	$ 676,969us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	$ 1,370,286us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	$ 1,306,748us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
Operating Income (Loss) [Abstract]
ROTC	11,534pll_RestructuringAndOtherGainsCharges	9,170pll_RestructuringAndOtherGainsCharges	20,774pll_RestructuringAndOtherGainsCharges	18,368pll_RestructuringAndOtherGainsCharges
Interest expense, net	6,238	5,195	12,940	11,172
Earnings before income taxes	106,954	108,616	224,987	201,004
Operating Segments [Member]
Operating Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Operating Income (Loss)	(139,821)	(137,747)	(290,533)	(261,274)
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Operating Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Operating Income (Loss)	15,095	14,766	31,832	30,730
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Operating Income (Loss) [Abstract]
ROTC	11,534	9,170	20,774	18,368
Interest expense, net	6,238	5,195	12,940	11,172
Life Sciences Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information, Revenue for Reportable Segment [Abstract]
Net sales	358,456	353,230	710,920	672,176
Life Sciences Segment [Member] \| Operating Segments [Member]
Operating Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Operating Income (Loss)	(88,882)	(90,856)	(175,362)	(163,901)
Industrial Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information, Revenue for Reportable Segment [Abstract]
Net sales	315,338	323,739	659,366	634,572
Industrial Segment [Member] \| Operating Segments [Member]
Operating Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Operating Income (Loss)	$ (50,939)	$ (46,891)	$ (115,171)	$ (97,373)

Restructuring And Other Gains Charges

No definition available.

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- Definition

This element represents the income or loss from continuing operations attributable to the economic entity which may also be defined as revenue less expenses from ongoing operations, after income or loss from equity method investments, but before income taxes, extraordinary items, and noncontrolling interest.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 10

-Article 5

+ Details

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- Definition

The net amount of nonoperating interest income (expense).

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

The net result for the period of deducting operating expenses from operating revenues.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Details

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- Definition

Total revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 1

-Article 5

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