Business Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 747,641	$ 712,705	$ 2,183,579	$ 2,057,885
Percent change in Net Sales	4.9		6.1
Gross Profit	416,555	382,556	1,205,356	1,109,715
Percent change in Gross Profit	8.9		8.6
Operating profit	207,710	182,075	590,707	514,991
Percent change in Operating Profit	14.1		14.7
Long-Lived assets	136,000	135,673	136,000	135,673
Percent change in Long-lived assets	0.2
Unallocated corporate general and administrative expenses	24,453	14,860	58,362	41,806
Industrial Technology
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	199,008	185,258	598,088	538,695
Percent change in Net Sales	7.4		11
Gross Profit	102,569	91,238	304,002	269,020
Percent change in Gross Profit	12.4		13
Operating profit	60,628	52,238	180,211	150,156
Percent change in Operating Profit	16.1		20
Long-Lived assets	42,970	41,070	42,970	41,070
Percent change in Long-lived assets	4.6
Energy Systems And Controls
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	158,169	150,385	461,508	425,768
Percent change in Net Sales	5.2		8.4
Gross Profit	87,782	81,832	254,325	232,390
Percent change in Gross Profit	7.3		9.4
Operating profit	42,890	38,675	118,749	105,423
Percent change in Operating Profit	10.9		12.6
Long-Lived assets	19,016	17,784	19,016	17,784
Percent change in Long-lived assets	6.9
Medical And Scientific Imaging
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	172,475	156,470	486,207	452,835
Percent change in Net Sales	10.2		7.4
Gross Profit	112,013	99,035	314,411	285,295
Percent change in Gross Profit	13.1		10.2
Operating profit	46,190	38,610	125,231	108,999
Percent change in Operating Profit	19.6		14.9
Long-Lived assets	44,784	46,940	44,784	46,940
Percent change in Long-lived assets	(4.6)
RF Technology
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	217,989	220,592	637,776	640,587
Percent change in Net Sales	(1.2)		(0.4)
Gross Profit	114,191	110,451	332,618	323,010
Percent change in Gross Profit	3.4		3.0
Operating profit	58,002	52,552	166,516	150,413
Percent change in Operating Profit	10.4		10.7
Long-Lived assets	$ 29,230	$ 29,879	$ 29,230	$ 29,879
Percent change in Long-lived assets	(2.2)