Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Net sales
Product Sales	$ 1,852,192	$ 1,826,891	$ 1,524,083
Service Sales	489,336	482,437	444,095
Total Net Sales	2,341,528	2,309,328	1,968,178
Cost of sales
Products Cost of Sales	811,204	798,682	662,314
Service Cost of Sales	289,269	292,372	268,668
Gross profit	1,241,055	1,218,274	1,037,196
Research and development	112,530	116,139	97,028
Selling, general and administrative	684,026	703,632	588,726
Amortization	21,357	17,808	14,842
Interest Expense	22,764	23,226	20,057
Restructuring Charges	16,687	5,912	4,866
Other Charges (Income), Net	1,090	2,380	4,164
Earnings Before Taxes	382,601	349,177	307,513
Provision for taxes	91,754	79,684	75,365
Net earnings	$ 290,847	$ 269,493	$ 232,148
Basic earnings per common share:
Net earnings	$ 9.37	$ 8.45	$ 6.98
Weighted average number of common shares	31,044,532	31,897,779	33,280,463
Diluted earnings per common share:
Net earnings	$ 9.14	$ 8.21	$ 6.80
Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares	31,824,077	32,839,365	34,140,097