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Goodwill - Changes in the Carrying Value of Goodwill (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill [Roll Forward]    
Goodwill, Beginning Balance $ 81,689us-gaap_Goodwill $ 81,689us-gaap_Goodwill
Foreign currency exchange rate changes 0us-gaap_GoodwillTranslationAdjustments 0us-gaap_GoodwillTranslationAdjustments
Goodwill, Ending Balance 81,689us-gaap_Goodwill 81,689us-gaap_Goodwill
MVSD [Member]    
Goodwill [Roll Forward]    
Goodwill, Beginning Balance 77,388us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cgnx_MvsdMember
77,388us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cgnx_MvsdMember
Foreign currency exchange rate changes 0us-gaap_GoodwillTranslationAdjustments
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cgnx_MvsdMember
0us-gaap_GoodwillTranslationAdjustments
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cgnx_MvsdMember
Goodwill, Ending Balance 77,388us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cgnx_MvsdMember
77,388us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cgnx_MvsdMember
SISD [Member]    
Goodwill [Roll Forward]    
Goodwill, Beginning Balance 4,301us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cgnx_SisdMember
4,301us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cgnx_SisdMember
Foreign currency exchange rate changes 0us-gaap_GoodwillTranslationAdjustments
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cgnx_SisdMember
0us-gaap_GoodwillTranslationAdjustments
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cgnx_SisdMember
Goodwill, Ending Balance $ 4,301us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cgnx_SisdMember
$ 4,301us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cgnx_SisdMember