Selected Financial Statement Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Accounts receivable, net:
Trade accounts receivable	$ 129,149	$ 139,065
Allowance for doubtful accounts	(46)	(76)
Accounts receivable, net	129,103	138,989
Inventories:
Raw materials	39,821	23,668
Work-in-process	67,258	56,998
Finished goods	44,498	20,791
Total inventories	151,577	101,457
Other current assets:
Precious metals reclaim	19,035	22,520
Other	16,721	10,252
Other current assets	35,756	32,772
Property, plant and equipment, net:
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	877,116	710,004
Accumulated depreciation	(407,173)	(357,816)
Property, plant and equipment, net	469,943	352,188
Accrued payroll:
Accrued payroll and taxes	12,602	15,096
Accrued vacation, sabbatical, and sick pay	13,985	12,831
Accrued management incentive program	135	6,538
Self-insurance liability	1,797	1,500
Accrued payroll	28,519	35,965
Land [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, net:
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	19,691	19,691
Buildings [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, net:
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	93,184	92,769
Leasehold improvements [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, net:
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	28,619	13,403
Machinery and equipment [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, net:
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	577,262	446,805
Furniture and fixtures [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, net:
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	6,535	6,120
Computer equipment and software [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, net:
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	44,361	38,849
Assets in Process [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, net:
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$ 107,464	$ 92,367