Business Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 784,010	$ 724,872	$ 1,521,145	$ 1,435,938
Percent change in Net Sales	8.2		5.9
Gross Profit	445,507	397,608	867,083	788,801
Percent change in Gross Profit	12		9.9
Operating profit	200,480	196,118	405,705	382,997
Percent change in Operating Profit	2.2		5.9
Long-Lived assets	137,150	134,941	137,150	134,941
Percent change in Long-lived assets	1.6
Unallocated corporate general and administrative expenses	20,734	17,334	40,782	33,909
Industrial Technology
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	197,543	203,944	379,782	399,080
Percent change in Net Sales	(3.1)		(4.8)
Gross Profit	101,844	102,770	195,155	201,433
Percent change in Gross Profit	(0.9)		(3.1)
Operating profit	50,580	62,076	103,525	119,583
Percent change in Operating Profit	(18.5)		(13.4)
Long-Lived assets	46,565	43,096	46,565	43,096
Percent change in Long-lived assets	8.0
Energy Systems And Controls
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	155,331	154,737	300,973	303,339
Percent change in Net Sales	0.4		(0.8)
Gross Profit	87,421	86,135	168,327	166,543
Percent change in Gross Profit	1.5		1.1
Operating profit	41,634	40,202	77,356	75,859
Percent change in Operating Profit	3.6		2.0
Long-Lived assets	19,361	18,892	19,361	18,892
Percent change in Long-lived assets	2.5
Medical And Scientific Imaging
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	207,957	150,921	408,401	313,732
Percent change in Net Sales	37.8		30.2
Gross Profit	138,416	96,212	273,285	202,398
Percent change in Gross Profit	43.9		35.0
Operating profit	47,537	35,679	107,465	79,041
Percent change in Operating Profit	33.2		36.0
Long-Lived assets	42,926	44,314	42,926	44,314
Percent change in Long-lived assets	(3.1)
RF Technology
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	223,179	215,270	431,989	419,787
Percent change in Net Sales	3.7		2.9
Gross Profit	117,826	112,491	230,316	218,427
Percent change in Gross Profit	4.7		5.4
Operating profit	60,729	58,161	117,359	108,514
Percent change in Operating Profit	4.4		8.2
Long-Lived assets	$ 28,298	$ 28,639	$ 28,298	$ 28,639
Percent change in Long-lived assets	(1.2)