Discontinued Operations Discontinued Operations - (Details) - USD ($)		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 06, 2015	Oct. 02, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Stock-based compensation expense			$ 20,558,000	$ 21,274,000	$ 15,158,000
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations (Note 19)			(255,000)	79,410,000	10,644,000
Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Sale [Member]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 1,106,000
Sisd [Member] | Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Sale [Member]
Disposal group, including discontinued operation, consideration	155,655,000
Disposal group, including discontinued operations, transaction costs	5,198,000
Gain (loss) on sale of discontinued business	125,357,000		(404,000)	125,357,000	0
Income tax expense on discontinued operations				47,175,000
Income tax expense (benefit) on discontinued operations	$ 47,175,000		(149,000)	47,801,000	4,997,000
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations (Note 19)			$ (255,000)	$ 79,410,000	$ 10,644,000
Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Sale [Member]
Stock-based compensation expense		$ 1,106,000
Settled Litigation [Member] | AMETEK Matter [Member] | Guarantee Obligations [Member] | Sisd [Member] | Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Sale [Member]
Loss contingency, damages awarded, refund of product purchase price, value		326,000
Loss contingency, damages awarded, reimbursement of legal fees, value		45,000
Litigation settlement, amount		(281,000)
Legal Fees		123,000
Income tax expense (benefit) on discontinued operations		(149,000)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations (Note 19)		$ (255,000)