GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross	$ 164,189	$ 140,337
Accumulated Amortization	85,046	78,602
Net	79,143	61,735
Patents and unpatented technology [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross	100,550	102,372
Accumulated Amortization	68,351	64,921
Net	32,199	37,451
Customer-related intangibles [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross	51,439	26,478
Accumulated Amortization	9,036	6,598
Net	42,403	19,880
Trademarks [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross	6,946	6,802
Accumulated Amortization	4,925	4,684
Net	2,021	2,118
Other [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross	5,254	4,685
Accumulated Amortization	2,734	2,399
Net	$ 2,520	$ 2,286