Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Intangible assets:
Gross Carrying Amount, intangible assets subject to amortization	$ 162.1		$ 162.1		$ 165.2
Accumulated Amortization, intangible assets subject to amortization	(96.5)		(96.5)		(87.7)
Net Carrying Amount, intangible assets subject to amortization	65.6		65.6		77.5
Gross Carrying Amount, total intangible assets	162.7		162.7		171.5
Net Carrying Amount, total intangible assets	66.2		66.2		83.8
Amortization expense related to intangible assets subject to amortization	5.1	$ 5.1	15.5	$ 15.1
BSI | Bruker BioSpin - Preclinical Imaging
Intangible assets:
Impairment charge on definite-lived intangible assets	1.8		1.8
In-process research and development
Intangible assets:
Gross Carrying Amount, intangible assets not subject to amortization	0.6		0.6		6.3
Net Carrying Amount, intangible assets not subject to amortization	0.6		0.6		6.3
Existing technology and related patents
Intangible assets:
Gross Carrying Amount, intangible assets subject to amortization	148.5		148.5		149.8
Accumulated Amortization, intangible assets subject to amortization	(90.5)		(90.5)		(81.7)
Net Carrying Amount, intangible assets subject to amortization	58.0		58.0		68.1
Customer relationships
Intangible assets:
Gross Carrying Amount, intangible assets subject to amortization	11.6		11.6		13.4
Accumulated Amortization, intangible assets subject to amortization	(5.3)		(5.3)		(5.6)
Net Carrying Amount, intangible assets subject to amortization	6.3		6.3		7.8
Non compete contracts
Intangible assets:
Gross Carrying Amount, intangible assets subject to amortization	1.8		1.8		1.8
Accumulated Amortization, intangible assets subject to amortization	(0.5)		(0.5)		(0.2)
Net Carrying Amount, intangible assets subject to amortization	1.3		1.3		1.6
Trade names
Intangible assets:
Gross Carrying Amount, intangible assets subject to amortization	0.2		0.2		0.2
Accumulated Amortization, intangible assets subject to amortization	$ (0.2)		$ (0.2)		$ (0.2)