Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	$ 221,467	$ 201,884	$ 221,335
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	(30,757)	(5,325)	(11,843)
Loss from discontinued operations			971
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	28,252	14,951	15,913
Impairment of property, plant and equipment	900	3,008
Capitalized legal fees charges	5,573
Loss on sale of property, plant and equipment			134
Change in pension and other postretirement plans, net	(2,391)	(4,312)	(2,922)
Deferred taxes	11,354	(254)	(11,941)
Stock-based compensation	11,296	8,955	7,875
Gain on intellectual property sales		(3,148)
Gain on company owned life insurance		(863)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(10,345)	(3,862)	34,228
Inventories	(15,714)	18,071	15,730
Accounts payable	13,693	(4,012)	(10,127)
Payroll and related expenses	3,263	(157)	(4,514)
Accrued expenses	(120)	(618)	(2,252)
Deferred revenue	(948)	(1,069)	(5,133)
Other operating activities	279	425	(2,123)
Net cash provided by operating activities	14,335	21,790	23,996
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(200,810)
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(19,559)	(14,253)	(11,038)
Disposal of property, plant and equipment		2,985	1,867
Purchase of investments		(6,760)	(35,790)
Maturities of investments	6,564	36,715
Capitalized legal fees	(613)	(1,491)	(4,704)
Other investing activities	(1,397)	1,022	(100)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(215,815)	18,218	(49,765)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of debt	139,000
Repayment of debt	(54,000)
Stock repurchases	(10,019)	(20,037)
Stock options exercised and other	225	593	619
Other financing activities	2,000	1,204	1,531
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	77,206	(18,240)	2,150
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(2,085)	(2,185)	4,168
Resulting (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(126,359)	19,583	(19,451)
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	95,108	221,467	201,884
Supplemental information:
Cash paid during the year for income taxes	(6,906)	(6,351)	(5,166)
Cash paid during the year for interest	$ (1,443)