Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended												12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Customer-funded research and development													$ 0	$ 400	$ 1,400
Research expense													31,700	32,400	30,200
Capitalized salaries, travel, and consulting costs related to software development													1,300	600
Defined benefit pension plan assets	$ 10,400				$ 10,100								10,400	10,100
Change in Accounting Estimate [Line Items]
Gross profit	71,700	$ 75,700	$ 54,600	$ 76,700	72,900	$ 68,600	$ 75,300	$ 74,800	$ 72,400	$ 68,000	$ 77,400	$ 72,800	278,686	291,635	290,554
Supply Commitment [Line Items]
Capitalized costs included in other assets	1,400				9,200								1,400	9,200
Contract A [Member]
Supply Commitment [Line Items]
Capitalized costs included in other assets	100												100
Contract B [Member]
Supply Commitment [Line Items]
Capitalized costs included in other assets	$ 1,300												$ 1,300
Albany Safran Composites, LLC [Member]
Subsidiary or Equity Method Investee [Line Items]
Ownership interest in ASC	90.00%												90.00%
Russia Entity [Member]
Subsidiary or Equity Method Investee [Line Items]
Interest in foreign subsidiaries	50.00%												50.00%
Equity method investment	$ 400				$ 300								$ 400	300
Contracts Accounted for under Percentage of Completion [Member]
Change in Accounting Estimate [Line Items]
Gross profit													$ 400	$ (600)	$ (2,300)