AMETEK (AME) 10-K 24 Feb 15 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Billions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Jan. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-14
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	AME
Entity Registrant Name	AMETEK INC/
Entity Central Index Key	1037868
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		241,068,392
Entity Public Float			$12.80

Consolidated_Statement_of_Inco

Consolidated Statement of Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$4,021,964	$3,594,136	$3,334,213
Operating expenses:
Cost of sales, excluding depreciation	2,597,017	2,323,642	2,154,132
Selling, general and administrative	462,637	398,177	380,532
Depreciation	63,724	57,238	53,677
Total operating expenses	3,123,378	2,779,057	2,588,341
Operating income	898,586	815,079	745,872
Other expenses:
Interest expense	-79,928	-73,572	-75,472
Other, net	-13,826	-16,712	-7,925
Income before income taxes	804,832	724,795	662,475
Provision for income taxes	220,372	207,796	203,343
Net income	$584,460	$516,999	$459,132
Basic earnings per share	$2.39	$2.12	$1.90
Diluted earnings per share	$2.37	$2.10	$1.88
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic shares	244,885	243,915	241,512
Diluted shares	247,102	246,065	243,986

Consolidated_Statement_of_Comp

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$584,460	$516,999	$459,132
Foreign currency translation:
Translation adjustments	-59,712	2,550	17,722
Change in long-term intercompany notes	-54,906	25,047	6,926
Net investment hedges, net of tax of $4,961, ($1,587) and ($1,416) in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively	-9,213	2,938	2,629
Defined benefit pension plans:
Net actuarial (loss) gain, net of tax of $42,755, ($28,884) and $15,222 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively	-83,040	47,498	-30,509
Amortization of net actuarial loss, net of tax of ($1,650), ($5,038) and (4,598) in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively	2,834	8,446	7,563
Amortization of prior service costs, net of tax of ($753), $66 and ($441) in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively	2,292	-174	1,541
Unrealized holding gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities:
Unrealized gain (loss), net of tax of ($48), $114 and ($33) in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively	90	-214	61
Other comprehensive (loss) income	-201,655	86,091	5,933
Total comprehensive income	$382,805	$603,090	$465,065

Consolidated_Statement_of_Comp1

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Tax benefit (expense) from investment hedges	$4,961	($1,587)	($1,416)
Tax benefit (expense) from change in pension plans	42,755	-28,884	15,222
Tax related to amortization of net actuarial loss	-1,650	-5,038	-4,598
Tax related to amortization of prior service costs	-753	66	-441
Tax benefit (expense) from increase (decrease) on available-for-sale securities	($48)	$114	($33)

Consolidated_Balance_Sheet

Consolidated Balance Sheet (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$377,615	$295,203
Receivables, less allowance for possible losses	585,462	536,701
Inventories, net	495,896	452,848
Deferred income taxes	45,053	38,815
Other current assets	74,578	45,562
Total current assets	1,578,604	1,369,129
Property, plant and equipment, net	448,446	402,790
Goodwill	2,614,030	2,408,363
Other intangibles, net of accumulated amortization	1,625,561	1,473,926
Investments and other assets	154,322	223,694
Total assets	6,420,963	5,877,902
Current liabilities:
Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt	286,201	273,315
Accounts payable	386,207	347,638
Income taxes payable	27,157	40,007
Accrued liabilities	236,579	213,585
Total current liabilities	936,144	874,545
Long-term debt	1,427,825	1,141,750
Deferred income taxes	618,385	558,555
Other long-term liabilities	199,048	166,931
Total liabilities	3,181,402	2,741,781
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; authorized: 5,000,000 shares; none issued
Common stock, $0.01 par value; authorized: 800,000,000 shares; issued: 2014 - 258,830,858 shares; 2013 - 257,984,830 shares	2,589	2,581
Capital in excess of par value	491,750	448,700
Retained earnings	3,469,923	2,966,015
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-266,894	-65,239
Treasury stock: 2014 - 17,495,583 shares; 2013 - 12,978,377 shares	-457,807	-215,936
Total stockholders' equity	3,239,561	3,136,121
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$6,420,963	$5,877,902

Consolidated_Balance_Sheet_Par

Consolidated Balance Sheet (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Preferred stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	5,000,000	5,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	800,000,000	800,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	258,830,858	257,984,830
Treasury stock, shares	17,495,583	12,978,377

Consolidated_Statement_of_Stoc

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Capital Stock [Member]	Capital in Excess of Par Value [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Foreign Currency Translation [Member]	Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member]	Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Available-for-Sale Securities [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]
In Thousands
Balance at the beginning of the year at Dec. 31, 2011		$2,538	$315,688	$2,101,615	($58,901)	($98,433)	$71		($209,773)
Issuance of common stock under employee stock plans			37,829						3,041
Net income	459,132			459,132
Translation adjustments	17,722				17,722
Net actuarial gain (loss), net of tax of $42,755, ($28,884) and $15,222 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively	-30,509					-30,509
Shares issued		27
Increase (decrease) during the year, net of tax	61						61
Share-based compensation costs			19,384
Cash dividends paid				-53,083
Change in long-term intercompany notes	6,926				6,926
Amortization of net actuarial loss, net of tax of ($1,650), ($5,038) and ($4,598) in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively	7,563					7,563
Purchase of treasury stock									-4,642
Excess tax benefits from exercise of stock options			14,970
Other				-245
Net investment hedges, net of tax of $4,961, ($1,587) and ($1,416) in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively	2,629				2,629
Amortization of prior service costs, net of tax of ($753), $66 and ($441) in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively	1,541					1,541
Balance at the end of the year at Dec. 31, 2012	2,535,151	2,565	387,871	2,507,419	-31,624	-119,838	132	-151,330	-211,374
Issuance of common stock under employee stock plans			23,053						3,905
Net income	516,999			516,999
Translation adjustments	2,550				2,550
Net actuarial gain (loss), net of tax of $42,755, ($28,884) and $15,222 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively	47,498					47,498
Shares issued		16
Increase (decrease) during the year, net of tax	-214						-214
Share-based compensation costs			21,591
Cash dividends paid				-58,405
Change in long-term intercompany notes	25,047				25,047
Amortization of net actuarial loss, net of tax of ($1,650), ($5,038) and ($4,598) in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively	8,446					8,446
Purchase of treasury stock									-8,467
Excess tax benefits from exercise of stock options			16,185
Other				2
Net investment hedges, net of tax of $4,961, ($1,587) and ($1,416) in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively	2,938				2,938
Amortization of prior service costs, net of tax of ($753), $66 and ($441) in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively	-174					-174
Balance at the end of the year at Dec. 31, 2013	3,136,121	2,581	448,700	2,966,015	-1,089	-64,068	-82	-65,239	-215,936
Issuance of common stock under employee stock plans			15,290						3,412
Net income	584,460			584,460
Translation adjustments	-59,712				-59,712
Net actuarial gain (loss), net of tax of $42,755, ($28,884) and $15,222 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively	-83,040					-83,040
Shares issued		8
Increase (decrease) during the year, net of tax	90						90
Share-based compensation costs			19,871
Cash dividends paid				-80,551
Change in long-term intercompany notes	-54,906				-54,906
Amortization of net actuarial loss, net of tax of ($1,650), ($5,038) and ($4,598) in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively	2,834					2,834
Purchase of treasury stock									-245,283
Excess tax benefits from exercise of stock options			7,889
Other				-1
Net investment hedges, net of tax of $4,961, ($1,587) and ($1,416) in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively	-9,213				-9,213
Amortization of prior service costs, net of tax of ($753), $66 and ($441) in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively	2,292					2,292
Balance at the end of the year at Dec. 31, 2014	$3,239,561	$2,589	$491,750	$3,469,923	($124,920)	($141,982)	$8	($266,894)	($457,807)

Consolidated_Statement_of_Stoc1

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Preferred stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01	$0.01
Tax benefit (expense) from investment hedges	$4,961	($1,587)	($1,416)
Tax benefit (expense) from change in pension plans	42,755	-28,884	15,222
Tax related to amortization of net actuarial loss	-1,650	-5,038	-4,598
Tax related to amortization of prior service costs	($753)	$66	($441)

Consolidated_Statement_of_Cash

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Operating activities:
Net income	$584,460	$516,999	$459,132
Adjustments to reconcile net income to total operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	138,584	118,657	105,471
Deferred income taxes	20,579	1,414	3,552
Share-based compensation expense	19,871	21,591	19,384
Gain on sale of facility	-869	-11,590
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
(Increase) decrease in receivables	-35,258	5,247	-4,225
Decrease (increase) in inventories and other current assets	11,626	-1,790	29,555
(Decrease) increase in payables, accruals and income taxes	-18,653	7,951	-10,304
Increase in other long-term liabilities	8,867	9,702	9,535
Pension contribution	-5,729	-5,856	-4,292
Other	2,484	-1,666	4,656
Total operating activities	725,962	660,659	612,464
Investing activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	-71,327	-63,314	-57,427
Purchases of businesses, net of cash acquired	-573,647	-414,315	-747,675
Proceeds from sale of facility	950	12,799
Other	2,391	4,497	1,371
Total investing activities	-641,633	-460,333	-803,731
Financing activities:
Net change in short-term borrowings	-172,495	-45,186	179,426
Additional long-term borrowings	500,000	872
Reduction in long-term borrowings	-914	-617	-1,539
Repurchases of common stock	-245,283	-8,467	-4,642
Cash dividends paid	-80,551	-58,405	-53,083
Excess tax benefits from share-based payments	7,889	16,185	14,970
Proceeds from employee stock plans and other	15,493	25,334	39,407
Total financing activities	24,139	-70,284	174,539
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-26,056	7,177	4,320
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	82,412	137,219	-12,408
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of year	295,203	157,984	170,392
End of year	$377,615	$295,203	$157,984

Significant_Accounting_Policie

Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies	1	Significant Accounting Policies
	Basis of Consolidation
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of AMETEK, Inc. (the “Company”), and include the accounts of the Company and subsidiaries, after elimination of all intercompany transactions in the consolidation.
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	Cash Equivalents, Securities and Other Investments
	All highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased are considered cash equivalents. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company’s investment in a fixed-income mutual fund (held by its captive insurance subsidiary) is classified as “available-for-sale.” The aggregate market value of the fixed-income mutual fund at December 31, 2014 and 2013 was $9.2 million ($9.9 million cost basis) and $8.2 million ($8.6 million cost basis), respectively. The temporary unrealized gain or loss on the fixed-income mutual fund is recorded as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income (in stockholders’ equity), and is not significant. Certain of the Company’s other investments, which are not significant, are also accounted for by the equity method of accounting.
	Accounts Receivable
	The Company maintains allowances for estimated losses resulting from the inability of specific customers to meet their financial obligations to the Company. A specific reserve for doubtful receivables is recorded against the amount due from these customers. For all other customers, the Company recognizes reserves for doubtful receivables based on the length of time specific receivables are past due based on past experience. The allowance for possible losses on receivables was $10.4 million and $9.5 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. See Note 7.
	Inventories
	The Company uses the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method of accounting, which approximates current replacement cost, for 80% of its inventories at December 31, 2014. The last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method of accounting is used to determine cost for the remaining 20% of the Company’s inventory at December 31, 2014. For inventories where cost is determined by the LIFO method, the excess of the FIFO value over the LIFO value was $24.4 million and $23.3 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The Company provides estimated inventory reserves for slow-moving and obsolete inventory based on current assessments about future demand, market conditions, customers who may be experiencing financial difficulties and related management initiatives.
	Business Combinations
	The Company allocates the purchase price of an acquired company, including when applicable, the fair value of contingent consideration between tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed from the acquired business based on their estimated fair values, with the residual of the purchase price recorded as goodwill. The results of operations of the acquired business are included in the Company’s operating results from the date of acquisition. See Note 5.
	Property, Plant and Equipment
	Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Expenditures for additions to plant facilities, or that extend their useful lives, are capitalized. The cost of minor tools, jigs and dies, and maintenance and repairs is charged to expense as incurred. Depreciation of plant and equipment is calculated principally on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. The range of lives for depreciable assets is generally three to ten years for machinery and equipment, five to 27 years for leasehold improvements and 25 to 50 years for buildings.
	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives, primarily trademarks and trade names, are not amortized; rather, they are tested for impairment at least annually.
	The Company identifies its reporting units at the component level, which is one level below our operating units. Generally, goodwill arises from acquisitions of specific operating companies and is assigned to the reporting unit in which a particular operating company resides. Our reporting units are composed of divisions and are one level below our operating units and for which discrete financial information is prepared and regularly reviewed by segment management.
	The Company principally relies on a discounted cash flow analysis to determine the fair value of each reporting unit, which considers forecasted cash flows discounted at an appropriate discount rate. The Company believes that market participants would use a discounted cash flow analysis to determine the fair value of its reporting units in a sales transaction. The annual goodwill impairment test requires the Company to make a number of assumptions and estimates concerning future levels of revenue growth, operating margins, depreciation, amortization and working capital requirements, which are based upon the Company’s long-range plan. The Company’s long-range plan is updated as part of its annual planning process and is reviewed and approved by management. The discount rate is an estimate of the overall after-tax rate of return required by a market participant whose weighted average cost of capital includes both equity and debt, including a risk premium. While the Company uses the best available information to prepare its cash flow and discount rate assumptions, actual future cash flows or market conditions could differ significantly resulting in future impairment charges related to recorded goodwill balances.
	The impairment test for indefinite-lived intangibles other than goodwill (primarily trademarks and trade names) consists of a comparison of the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset to the carrying value of the asset as of the impairment testing date. The Company estimates the fair value of its indefinite-lived intangibles using the relief from royalty method. The fair value derived from the relief from royalty method is measured as the discounted cash flow savings realized from owning such trademarks and trade names and not having to pay a royalty for their use.
	The Company completed its required annual impairment tests in the fourth quarter of 2014, 2013 and 2012 and determined that the carrying values of goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives were not impaired.
	The Company evaluates impairment of its long-lived assets, other than goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. The carrying value of a long-lived asset group is considered impaired when the total projected undiscounted cash flows from such asset group are separately identifiable and are less than the carrying value. In that event, a loss is recognized based on the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair market value of the long-lived asset group. Fair market value is determined primarily using present value techniques based on projected cash flows from the asset group. Losses on long-lived assets held for sale, other than goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, are determined in a similar manner, except that fair market values are reduced for disposal costs.
	Intangible assets, other than goodwill, with definite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Patents and technology are being amortized over useful lives of four to 20 years, with a weighted average life of 16 years. Customer relationships are being amortized over a period of five to 20 years, with a weighted average life of 19 years. Miscellaneous other intangible assets are being amortized over a period of three to 20 years. The Company periodically evaluates the reasonableness of the estimated useful lives of these intangible assets.
	Financial Instruments and Foreign Currency Translation
	Assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated using exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date and their results of operations are translated using average exchange rates for the year. Certain transactions of the Company and its subsidiaries are made in currencies other than their functional currency. Exchange gains and losses from those transactions are included in operating results for the year.
	The Company makes infrequent use of derivative financial instruments. Forward contracts are entered into from time to time to hedge specific firm commitments for certain inventory purchases, export sales, debt or foreign currency transactions, thereby minimizing the Company’s exposure to raw material commodity price or foreign currency fluctuation. See Note 3.
	In instances where transactions are designated as hedges of an underlying item, the gains and losses on those transactions are included in accumulated other comprehensive income within stockholders’ equity to the extent they are effective as hedges. The Company has designated certain foreign-currency-denominated long-term borrowings as hedges of the net investment in certain foreign operations. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, these net investment hedges included British-pound- and Euro-denominated long-term debt, pertaining to certain of its investments in 100% owned subsidiaries whose functional currency is either the British pound or the Euro. These borrowings were designed to create net investment hedges in each of the designated foreign subsidiaries. The Company designated the British-pound- and Euro-denominated loans referred to above as hedging instruments to offset translation gains or losses on the net investment due to changes in the British pound and Euro exchange rates. These net investment hedges were evidenced by management’s contemporaneous documentation supporting the hedge designation. Any gain or loss on the hedging instrument (the debt) following hedge designation is reported in accumulated other comprehensive income in the same manner as the translation adjustment on the investment based on changes in the spot rate, which is used to measure hedge effectiveness. An evaluation of hedge effectiveness is performed by the Company on an ongoing basis and any changes in the hedge are made as appropriate. See Note 4.
	Revenue Recognition
	The Company recognizes revenue on product sales in the period when the sales process is complete. This generally occurs when products are shipped to the customer in accordance with terms of an agreement of sale, under which title and risk of loss have been transferred, collectability is reasonably assured and pricing is fixed or determinable. For a small percentage of sales where title and risk of loss passes at point of delivery, the Company recognizes revenue upon delivery to the customer, assuming all other criteria for revenue recognition are met. The Company’s policy, with respect to sales returns and allowances, generally provides that the customer may not return products or be given allowances, except at the Company’s option. The Company has agreements with distributors that do not provide expanded rights of return for unsold products. The distributor purchases the product from the Company, at which time title and risk of loss transfers to the distributor. The Company does not offer substantial sales incentives and credits to its distributors other than volume discounts. The Company accounts for these sales incentives as a reduction of revenues when the sale is recognized in the consolidated statement of income. Accruals for sales returns, other allowances and estimated warranty costs are provided at the time revenue is recognized based upon past experience. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the accrual for future warranty obligations was $29.8 million and $28.0 million, respectively. The Company’s expense for warranty obligations was $10.5 million in 2014, $8.6 million in 2013 and $10.1 million in 2012. The warranty periods for products sold vary widely among the Company’s operations, but for the most part do not exceed one year. The Company calculates its warranty expense provision based on past warranty experience and adjustments are made periodically to reflect actual warranty expenses.
	Research and Development
	Company-funded research and development costs are included in Cost of sales, excluding depreciation as incurred and were $119.3 million in 2014, $93.9 million in 2013 and $84.9 million in 2012.
	Shipping and Handling Costs
	Shipping and handling costs are included in Cost of sales, excluding depreciation and were $49.0 million in 2014, $41.9 million in 2013 and $39.0 million in 2012.
	Share-Based Compensation
	The Company expenses the fair value of share-based awards made under its share-based plans in the consolidated financial statements over their requisite service period of the grants. See Note 10.
	Income Taxes
	The Company’s annual provision for income taxes and determination of the related balance sheet accounts requires management to assess uncertainties, make judgments regarding outcomes and utilize estimates. The Company conducts a broad range of operations around the world and is therefore subject to complex tax regulations in numerous international taxing jurisdictions, resulting at times in tax audits, disputes and potential litigation, the outcome of which is uncertain. Management must make judgments currently about such uncertainties and determine estimates of the Company’s tax assets and liabilities. To the extent the final outcome differs, future adjustments to the Company’s tax assets and liabilities may be necessary. The Company recognizes interest and penalties accrued related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense.
	The Company also is required to assess the realizability of its deferred tax assets, taking into consideration the Company’s forecast of future taxable income, the reversal of other existing temporary differences, available net operating loss carryforwards and available tax planning strategies that could be implemented to realize the deferred tax assets. Based on this assessment, management must evaluate the need for, and amount of, valuation allowances against the Company’s deferred tax assets. To the extent facts and circumstances change in the future, adjustments to the valuation allowances may be required.
	Earnings Per Share
	The calculation of basic earnings per share is based on the weighted average number of common shares considered outstanding during the periods. The calculation of diluted earnings per share reflects the effect of all potentially dilutive securities (principally outstanding stock options and restricted stock grants). The number of weighted average shares used in the calculation of basic earnings per share and diluted earnings per share was as follows for the years ended December 31:
			2014		2013		2012
			(In thousands)
	Weighted average shares:
	Basic shares			244,885		243,915		241,512
	Equity-based compensation plans			2,217		2,150		2,474
	Diluted shares			247,102		246,065		243,986

Recent_Accounting_Pronouncemen

Recent Accounting Pronouncements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	2	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In March 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-05, Parent’s Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets within a Foreign Entity or of an Investment in a Foreign Entity (“ASU 2013-05”). ASU 2013-05 provides guidance for the treatment of the cumulative translation adjustment when an entity ceases to hold a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets within a foreign entity. The Company adopted ASU 2013-05 effective January 1, 2014 and the adoption did not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
	In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists (“ASU 2013-11”). ASU 2013-11 provides guidance for the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. The Company adopted ASU 2013-11 effective January 1, 2014 and the adoption did not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statement presentation.
	In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-08, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity (“ASU 2014-08”). ASU 2014-08 revised guidance to only allow disposals of components of an entity that represent a strategic shift (e.g., disposal of a major geographical area, a major line of business, a major equity method investment, or other major parts of an entity) and that have a major effect on a reporting entity’s operations and financial results to be reported as discontinued operations. The revised guidance also requires expanded disclosure in the financial statements for discontinued operations as well as for disposals of significant components of an entity that do not qualify for discontinued operations presentation. ASU 2014-08 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2014-08 to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The objective of ASU 2014-09 is to establish a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and will supersede most of the existing revenue recognition guidance. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is that an entity recognizes revenue at the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In applying the new guidance, the Company must (1) identify the contract(s) with a customer; (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determine the transaction price; (4) allocate the transaction price to the contract’s performance obligations; and (5) recognize revenue when the Company satisfies a performance obligation. ASU 2014-09 applies to all contracts with customers except those that are within the scope of other topics in the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. ASU 2014-09 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and can be adopted by the Company using either a full retrospective or modified retrospective approach, with early adoption prohibited. The Company continues to evaluate the impacts and monitor the developments related to ASU 2014-09. The Company has not determined the impact ASU 2014-09 may have on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows nor decided upon the method of adoption.

Fair_Value_Measurement

Fair Value Measurement	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurement	3	Fair Value Measurement
	Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date.
	The Company utilizes a valuation hierarchy for disclosure of the inputs to the valuations used to measure fair value. This hierarchy prioritizes the inputs into three broad levels as follows. Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 inputs are quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly through market corroboration, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs based on the Company’s own assumptions used to measure assets and liabilities at fair value. A financial asset or liability’s classification within the hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
	The following table provides the Company’s assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, consistent with the fair value hierarchy:
			December 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
			Fair Value			Fair Value
			(In thousands)
	Fixed-income investments		$	9,219		$	8,234
	The fair value of fixed-income investments, which are valued as level 1 investments, was based on quoted market prices. The fixed-income investments are shown as a component of long-term assets on the consolidated balance sheet.
	For the year ended December 31, 2014, gains and losses on the investments noted above were not significant. No transfers between level 1 and level 2 investments occurred during the year ended December 31, 2014.
	Financial Instruments
	Cash, cash equivalents and fixed-income investments are recorded at fair value at December 31, 2014 and 2013 in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.
	The following table provides the estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments liabilities, for which fair value is measured for disclosure purposes only, compared to the recorded amounts at December 31, 2014 and 2013:
			December 31, 2014						December 31, 2013
			Recorded Amount			Fair Value			Recorded Amount			Fair Value
			(In thousands)
	Short-term borrowings		$	(88,100	)	$	(88,100	)	$	(268,764	)	$	(268,764	)
	Long-term debt (including current portion)			(1,625,926	)		(1,768,439	)		(1,146,301	)		(1,290,466	)
	The fair value of short-term borrowings approximates the carrying value. Short-term borrowings are valued as level 2 investments as they are corroborated by observable market data. The Company’s long-term debt is all privately held with no public market for this debt, therefore, the fair value of long-term debt was computed based on comparable current market data for similar debt instruments and is considered to be a level 3 liability. See Note 9 for long-term debt principal amounts, interest rates and maturities.
	Foreign Currency
	At December 31, 2014, the Company had no forward contracts outstanding. For the year ended December 31, 2014, realized gains and losses on foreign currency forward contracts were not significant. At December 31, 2013, the Company had two Euro forward contracts for a total notional value of 21.7 million Euro ($28 thousand fair value unrealized loss at December 31, 2013) and one 61.0 million Swiss franc forward contract ($511 thousand fair value unrealized loss at December 31, 2013) outstanding. For the year ended December 31, 2013, realized losses on foreign currency forward contracts were $0.1 million. The Company does not typically designate its foreign currency forward contracts as hedges.

Hedging_Activities

Hedging Activities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Hedging Activities	4	Hedging Activities
	The Company has designated certain foreign-currency-denominated long-term borrowings as hedges of the net investment in certain foreign operations. As of December 31, 2014, these net investment hedges included British-pound-denominated long-term debt and Euro-denominated short-term debt. As of December 31, 2013, these net investment hedges included British-pound- and Euro-denominated long-term debt. These borrowings were designed to create net investment hedges in each of the designated foreign subsidiaries. The Company designated the British-pound- and Euro-denominated loans referred to above as hedging instruments to offset translation gains or losses on the net investment due to changes in the British pound and Euro exchange rates. These net investment hedges are evidenced by management’s contemporaneous documentation supporting the hedge designation. Any gain or loss on the hedging instrument (the debt) following hedge designation is reported in accumulated other comprehensive income in the same manner as the translation adjustment on the investment based on changes in the spot rate, which is used to measure hedge effectiveness.
	At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had $186.7 million and $198.9 million, respectively, of British-pound-denominated loans, which were designated as a hedge against the net investment in British pound functional currency foreign subsidiaries. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had a $60.8 million and $68.9 million, respectively, Euro-denominated loan, which was designated as a hedge against the net investment in Euro functional currency foreign subsidiaries. As a result of these British-pound- and Euro-denominated loans being designated and 100% effective as net investment hedges, $20.2 million of currency remeasurement gains and $6.8 million of currency remeasurement losses have been included in the foreign currency translation component of other comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisitions	5	Acquisitions
	In 2014, the Company spent $573.6 million in cash, net of cash acquired, to acquire Teseq Group in January 2014, VTI Instruments (“VTI”) in February 2014, Luphos GmbH in May 2014, Zygo Corporation in June 2014 and Amptek, Inc. in August 2014. Teseq is a manufacturer of test and measurement instrumentation for electromagnetic compatibility (“EMC”) testing. VTI is a manufacturer of high precision test and measurement instrumentation. Luphos’ core technology is used in the measurement of complex aspheric optical surfaces and other surfaces through non-contact methods. Zygo is a provider of optical metrology solutions, high precision optics and optical assemblies for use in a wide range of scientific, industrial and medical applications. Amptek is a manufacturer of instruments and detectors used to identify composition of materials using x-ray fluorescence technology. Teseq, VTI, Luphos, Zygo and Amptek are part of AMETEK’s Electronic Instruments Group (“EIG”).
	The following table represents the preliminary allocation of the aggregate purchase price for the net assets of the above acquisitions based on their estimated fair values at acquisition (in millions):
	Property, plant and equipment		$	61.8
	Goodwill			272.1
	Other intangible assets			270.7
	Deferred income taxes			(64.5	)
	Net working capital and other*			33.5
	Total purchase price		$	573.6
	*	Includes $33.9 million in accounts receivable, whose fair value, contractual cash flows and expected cash flows are approximately equal.
	The amount allocated to goodwill is reflective of the benefits the Company expects to realize from the acquisitions as follows: Teseq manufactures a broad line of conducted and radiated EMC compliance testing systems and radio-frequency amplifiers for a range of industries, including aerospace, automotive, consumer electronics, medical equipment, telecommunications and transportation. Teseq provides the Company with opportunities for accelerating product innovation and market expansion worldwide. VTI broadens the Company’s capabilities in the high end test and measurement market and provides additional technology differentiation. Luphos’ technology expands the Company’s metrology capabilities across a broader range of surface finishes and profiles. Zygo’s position in non-contact optical metrology complements the Company’s position in contact metrology and enables the Company to offer its customers a full range of metrology solutions. Amptek broadens the Company’s position in the process and analytical instrumentations markets. The Company expects approximately $6.3 million of the goodwill recorded in connection with the 2014 acquisitions will be tax deductible in future years.
	The Company is in the process of finalizing the measurement of certain tangible and intangible assets and liabilities for its 2014 Zygo acquisition, as well as accounting for income taxes associated with its 2014 acquisitions and the 2013 acquisition of Creaform, Inc.
	At December 31, 2014, purchase price allocated to other intangible assets of $270.7 million consists of $52.7 million of indefinite-lived intangible trademarks and trade names, which are not subject to amortization. The remaining $218.0 million of other intangible assets consist of $170.6 million of customer relationships, which are being amortized over a period of five to 20 years, $0.8 million of trade names, which are being amortized over a period of ten years and $46.6 million of purchased technology, which is being amortized over a period of 15 to 18 years. Amortization expense for each of the next five years for the 2014 acquisitions listed above is expected to approximate $12.3 million per year.
	The 2014 acquisitions noted above had an immaterial impact on reported net sales, net income and diluted earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2014. Had the 2014 acquisitions been made at the beginning of 2014 or 2013, unaudited pro forma net sales, net income and diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, would not have been materially different than the amounts reported. Pro forma results are not necessarily indicative of the results that would have occurred if the acquisitions had been completed at the beginning of 2014 or 2013.
	In 2013, the Company spent $414.3 million in cash, net of cash acquired, to acquire Controls Southeast, Inc. (“CSI”) in August, Creaform, Inc. in October, and Powervar, Inc. in December. CSI is a leader in custom-engineered, thermal management solutions used to maintain temperature control of liquid and gas in a broad range of demanding industrial process applications. Creaform is a leading developer and manufacturer of innovative portable 3D measurement technologies and a provider of 3D engineering services. Powervar is a leading provider of power management systems and uninterruptible power supply systems. CSI, Creaform and Powervar are part of EIG.
	In 2012, the Company spent $747.7 million in cash, net of cash acquired, to acquire O’Brien Corporation in January, the parent company of Dunkermotoren GmbH in May, Micro-Poise Measurement Systems (“Micro-Poise”) in October and Aero Components International (“ACI”), Avtech Avionics and Instruments (“Avtech”), Sunpower, Inc. and Crystal Engineering in December. O’Brien is a leading manufacturer of fluid and gas handling solutions, sample conditioning equipment and process analyzers. Dunkermotoren is a leader in advanced motion control solutions for a wide range of industrial automation applications. Micro-Poise is a leading provider of integrated test and measurement solutions for the tire industry. ACI repairs and overhauls fuel, hydraulic, pneumatic, power generation and heat exchanger components. Avtech’s expertise is in the repair and maintenance of next generation and legacy avionics and instruments. Sunpower designs and develops high reliability cryocoolers and externally heated Stirling cycle engines. Crystal Engineering manufactures high-end, portable pressure calibrators and digital test gauges for the oil and gas, power generation and other industrial markets. O’Brien, Micro-Poise, Sunpower and Crystal Engineering are part of EIG and Dunkermotoren, ACI and Avtech are part of AMETEK’s Electromechanical Group (“EMG”).

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	6	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	The changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill by segment were as follows:
			EIG			EMG			Total
			(In millions)
	Balance at December 31, 2012		$	1,215.00		$	993.2		$	2,208.20
	Goodwill acquired			213.5			—			213.5
	Purchase price allocation adjustments and other			(25.5	)		(6.0	)		(31.5	)
	Foreign currency translation adjustments			7.8			10.4			18.2
	Balance at December 31, 2013			1,410.80			997.6			2,408.40
	Goodwill acquired			272.1			—			272.1
	Purchase price allocation adjustments and other			(0.4	)		—			(0.4	)
	Foreign currency translation adjustments			(35.8	)		(30.3	)		(66.1	)
	Balance at December 31, 2014		$	1,646.70		$	967.3		$	2,614.00
	The 2013 purchase price allocation adjustments and other, noted above, primarily consists of the finalization of deferred taxes associated with acquisitions made in 2012.
	Other intangible assets were as follows at December 31:
			2014			2013
			(In thousands)
	Definite-lived intangible assets (subject to amortization):
	Patents		$	53,474		$	55,300
	Purchased technology			239,775			198,463
	Customer lists			1,182,152			1,037,689
	Other acquired intangibles			20,270			28,304
				1,495,671			1,319,756
	Accumulated amortization:
	Patents			(35,004	)		(34,692	)
	Purchased technology			(63,078	)		(51,369	)
	Customer lists			(243,169	)		(191,170	)
	Other acquired intangibles			(26,349	)		(24,487	)
				(367,600	)		(301,718	)
	Net intangible assets subject to amortization			1,128,071			1,018,038
	Indefinite-lived intangible assets (not subject to amortization):
	Trademarks and trade names			497,490			455,888
			$	1,625,561		$	1,473,926
	Amortization expense was $74.9 million, $61.5 million and $51.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Amortization expense for each of the next five years is expected to approximate $78.6 million per year, not considering the impact of potential future acquisitions.

Other_Consolidated_Balance_She

Other Consolidated Balance Sheet Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Text Block [Abstract]
Other Consolidated Balance Sheet Information	7	Other Consolidated Balance Sheet Information
			December 31,
			2014			2013
			(In thousands)
	INVENTORIES
	Finished goods and parts		$	80,307		$	76,086
	Work in process			94,298			85,518
	Raw materials and purchased parts			321,291			291,244
			$	495,896		$	452,848
	PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
	Land		$	38,340		$	35,395
	Buildings			281,336			254,248
	Machinery and equipment			793,580			754,654
				1,113,256			1,044,297
	Less: Accumulated depreciation			(664,810	)		(641,507	)
			$	448,446		$	402,790
	ACCRUED LIABILITIES
	Employee compensation and benefits		$	94,478		$	87,656
	Product warranty obligation			29,764			28,036
	Severance and lease termination			14,864			7,653
	Other			97,473			90,240
			$	236,579		$	213,585
			2014			2013			2012
			(In thousands)
	ALLOWANCES FOR POSSIBLE LOSSES ON ACCOUNTS AND NOTES RECEIVABLE
	Balance at the beginning of the year		$	9,547		$	10,754		$	7,840
	Additions charged to expense			2,974			1,939			3,569
	Recoveries credited to allowance			—			—			33
	Write-offs			(2,243	)		(3,503	)		(813	)
	Currency translation adjustments and other			168			357			125
	Balance at the end of the year		$	10,446		$	9,547		$	10,754

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	8	Income Taxes
	The components of income before income taxes and the details of the provision for income taxes were as follows for the years ended December 31:
			2014			2013			2012
			(In thousands)
	Income before income taxes:
	Domestic		$	495,516		$	443,278		$	438,742
	Foreign			309,316			281,517			223,733
	Total		$	804,832		$	724,795		$	662,475
	Provision for income taxes:
	Current:
	Federal		$	128,635		$	133,574		$	135,598
	Foreign			60,606			64,077			50,511
	State			12,461			13,083			18,415
	Total current			201,702			210,734			204,524
	Deferred:
	Federal			19,870			7,899			6,038
	Foreign			1,552			(3,592	)		(6,598	)
	State			(2,752	)		(7,245	)		(621	)
	Total deferred			18,670			(2,938	)		(1,181	)
	Total provision		$	220,372		$	207,796		$	203,343
	Significant components of the deferred tax (asset) liability were as follows at December 31:
			2014			2013
			(In thousands)
	Current deferred tax (asset) liability:
	Reserves not currently deductible		$	(32,552	)	$	(22,727	)
	Share-based compensation			(6,871	)		(4,264	)
	Net operating loss carryforwards			(3,570	)		(3,859	)
	Foreign tax credit carryforwards			(42	)		—
	Other			(467	)		(5,233	)
				(43,502	)		(36,083	)
	Portion included in other current liabilities			(1,551	)		(2,732	)
	Gross current deferred tax asset			(45,053	)		(38,815	)
	Noncurrent deferred tax (asset) liability:
	Differences in basis of property and accelerated depreciation			47,345			31,861
	Reserves not currently deductible			(29,514	)		(24,417	)
	Pensions			16,025			33,538
	Differences in basis of intangible assets and accelerated amortization			586,960			528,139
	Net operating loss carryforwards			(7,200	)		(2,795	)
	Share-based compensation			(10,858	)		(9,297	)
	Foreign tax credit carryforwards			(2,157	)		—
	Other			546			(3,578	)
				601,147			553,451
	Less: Valuation allowance			7,708			1,911
				608,855			555,362
	Portion included in noncurrent assets			9,530			3,193
	Gross noncurrent deferred tax liability			618,385			558,555
	Net deferred tax liability		$	573,332		$	519,740
	The Company’s effective tax rate reconciles to the U.S. Federal statutory rate as follows for the years ended December 31:
			2014			2013			2012
	U.S. Federal statutory rate			35	%		35	%		35	%
	State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit			0.9			1			1.8
	Foreign operations, net			(6.1	)		(5.8	)		(5.1	)
	U.S. Manufacturing deduction and credits			(2.2	)		(1.8	)		(2.0	)
	Other			(0.2	)		0.3			1
	Consolidated effective tax rate			27.4	%		28.7	%		30.7	%
	On January 2, 2013, the President of the United States of America signed legislation that retroactively extended the research and development (“R&D”) tax credit for two years, from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2013. Similarly, on December 19, 2014, legislation was signed that extended the R&D tax credit for one year through December 31, 2014.
	At December 31, 2014 and 2013, U.S. and foreign deferred income taxes totaling $7.5 million and $2.4 million were provided on undistributed earnings of certain non-U.S. subsidiaries that are not expected to be permanently reinvested in such companies. There has been no provision for U.S. deferred income taxes for the undistributed earnings of certain other subsidiaries, which total approximately $993.2 million and $854.8 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, because the Company intends to reinvest these earnings indefinitely in operations outside the United States. Upon distribution of those earnings to the United States, the Company would be subject to U.S. income taxes and withholding taxes payable to the various foreign countries. Determination of the amount of the unrecognized deferred income tax liability on these undistributed earnings is not practicable.
	At December 31, 2014, the Company had tax benefits of $10.8 million related to net operating loss carryforwards, which will be available to offset future income taxes payable, subject to certain annual or other limitations based on foreign and U.S. tax laws. This amount includes net operating loss carryforwards of $1.7 million for federal income tax purposes with no valuation allowance, $4.3 million for state income tax purposes with no valuation allowance and $4.8 million for foreign income tax purposes with a valuation allowance of $3.3 million. These net operating loss carryforwards, if not used, will expire between 2015 and 2034.
	At December 31, 2014, the Company had tax benefits of $11.3 million related to tax credit carryforwards, which will be available to offset future income taxes payable, subject to certain annual or other limitations based on foreign and U.S. tax laws. This amount includes tax credit carryforwards of $4.7 million for federal income tax purposes with a valuation allowance of $0.7 million, $3.1 million for state income tax purposes with a valuation allowance of $0.3 million and $3.5 million for foreign income tax purposes with a valuation allowance of $3.4 million. These tax credit carryforwards, if not used, will expire between 2015 and 2034. Additionally, as of December 31, 2014, the Company had $2.2 million of U.S. foreign tax credit carryforwards.
	The Company maintains a valuation allowance to reduce certain deferred tax assets to amounts that are more likely than not to be realized. This allowance primarily relates to the deferred tax assets established for foreign and certain state net operating loss carryforwards and tax credits. In 2014, the Company recorded an increase of $5.8 million in the valuation allowance primarily related to foreign net operating losses and tax credits that are not expected to be utilized.
	At December 31, 2014, the Company had gross unrecognized tax benefits of $71.7 million, of which $61.1 million, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate. At December 31, 2013, the Company had gross unrecognized tax benefits of $55.2 million, of which $50.9 million, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate.
	At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company reported $11.1 million and $8.6 million, respectively, related to interest and penalty exposure as accrued income tax expense in the consolidated balance sheet. During 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company recognized a net expense of $2.5 million, $0.4 million and $1.0 million, respectively, for interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in the consolidated statement of income as a component of income tax expense.
	The most significant tax jurisdiction for the Company is the United States Federal Income Tax. The Company files income tax returns in various other state and foreign tax jurisdictions, in some cases for multiple legal entities per jurisdiction. Generally, the Company has open tax years subject to tax audit on average of between three and six years in these jurisdictions. At December 31, 2014, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) has been and is continuing to examine the Company’s consolidated U.S. income tax returns for the years 2010 and 2011 in addition to the separate U.S. income tax return for Cameca Instruments, Inc. for 2012. The IRS previously completed the examination of the Company’s consolidated U.S. income tax returns for the years 2008 and 2009. In addition, the IRS is currently examining the U.S. income tax returns of recently acquired Zygo Corporation & Subsidiaries for their fiscal year 2012 and 2013 tax years. The Company has not materially extended any other statutes of limitation for any significant location and has reviewed and accrued for, where necessary, tax liabilities for open periods including state and foreign jurisdictions that remain subject to examination. There have been no penalties asserted or imposed by the IRS related to substantial understatement of income, gross valuation misstatement or failure to disclose a listed or reportable transaction.
	During 2014, the Company added $35.0 million of tax, interest and penalties to identified uncertain tax positions and reversed $16.0 million of tax and interest related to statute expirations and settlement of prior uncertain positions. During 2013, the Company added $29.7 million of tax, interest and penalties related to identified uncertain tax positions and reversed $10.3 million of tax and interest related to statute expirations and settlement of prior uncertain positions.
The following is a reconciliation of the liability for uncertain tax positions at December 31:
		2014			2013			2012
		(In millions)
Balance at the beginning of the year		$	55.2		$	36.2		$	28.5
Additions for tax positions related to the current year			10.7			11.7			4.3
Additions for tax positions of prior years			16.8			15.1			6
Reductions for tax positions of prior years			(1.7	)		(1.8	)		(0.8	)
Reductions related to settlements with taxing authorities			(0.4	)		(2.5	)		—
Reductions due to statute expirations			(8.9	)		(3.5	)		(1.8	)
Balance at the end of the year		$	71.7		$	55.2		$	36.2
In 2014, the additions above primarily reflect the increase in tax liabilities for uncertain tax positions related to certain foreign and domestic issues, while the reductions above primarily relate to statue expirations and tax paid. At December 31, 2014, tax, interest and penalties of $56.5 million were classified as a noncurrent liability and $14.9 million was classified as a current liability, of which approximately $8.8 million was previously classified as a noncurrent liability. The net increase in uncertain tax positions for the year ended December 31, 2014 resulted in a decrease to income tax expense of $1.9 million. At December 31, 2014, the Company classified $14.9 million of tax, interest and penalties on uncertain tax positions as a current liability as it is reasonably possible that certain tax audits and tax rulings will be effectively settled within the next 12 months.

Debt

Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	9	Debt
	Long-term debt consisted of the following at December 31:
			2014			2013
			(In thousands)
	U.S. dollar 6.59% senior notes due September 2015		$	90,000		$	90,000
	U.S. dollar 6.69% senior notes due December 2015			35,000			35,000
	U.S. dollar 6.20% senior notes due December 2017			270,000			270,000
	U.S. dollar 6.35% senior notes due July 2018			80,000			80,000
	U.S. dollar 7.08% senior notes due September 2018			160,000			160,000
	U.S. dollar 7.18% senior notes due December 2018			65,000			65,000
	U.S. dollar 6.30% senior notes due December 2019			100,000			100,000
	U.S. dollar 3.73% senior notes due September 2024			300,000			—
	U.S. dollar 3.83% senior notes due September 2026			100,000			—
	U.S. dollar 3.98% senior notes due September 2029			100,000			—
	British pound 5.99% senior note due November 2016			62,249			66,303
	British pound 4.68% senior note due September 2020			124,494			132,592
	Euro 3.94% senior note due August 2015			60,790			68,880
	Swiss franc 2.44% senior note due December 2021			55,600			61,754
	Revolving credit loan			88,100			268,329
	Other, principally foreign			22,793			17,207
	Total debt			1,714,026			1,415,065
	Less: Current portion			(286,201	)		(273,315	)
	Total long-term debt		$	1,427,825		$	1,141,750
	Maturities of long-term debt outstanding at December 31, 2014 were as follows: $64.2 million in 2016; $271.7 million in 2017; $310.7 million in 2018; $101.1 million in 2019; $124.5 million in 2020; and $555.6 million in 2021 and thereafter.
	In the third quarter of 2014, the Company completed a private placement agreement to sell $700 million in senior notes to a group of institutional investors. There are three funding dates for the senior notes. The first funding occurred in September 2014 for $500 million, consisting of $300 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.73% senior notes due September 2024, $100 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.83% senior notes due September 2026 and $100 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.98% senior notes due September 2029. The second funding date will be in June 2015 for $50 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.91% senior notes due June 2025. The third funding date will be in August 2015 for $150 million, consisting of $100 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.96% senior notes due August 2025 and $50 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.45% senior notes due August 2035. The senior notes will carry a weighted average interest rate of 3.88%. The senior notes are subject to certain customary covenants, including financial covenants that, among other things, require the Company to maintain certain debt to EBITDA (earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization) and interest coverage ratios. The proceeds from the first funding of the senior notes were used to pay down all domestic borrowings under the Company’s revolving credit facility.
	In December 2007, the Company issued $270 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.20% private placement senior notes due December 2017 and $100 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.30% private placement senior notes due December 2019. In July 2008, the Company issued $80 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.35% private placement senior notes due July 2018. In September 2008, the Company issued $90 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.59% private placement senior notes due September 2015 and $160 million in aggregate principal amount of 7.08% private placement senior notes due September 2018. In December 2008, the Company issued $35 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.69% private placement senior notes due December 2015 and $65 million in aggregate principal amount of 7.18% private placement senior notes due December 2018.
	In September 2005, the Company issued a 50 million Euro ($60.8 million at December 31, 2014) 3.94% senior note due August 2015. In November 2004, the Company issued a 40 million British pound ($62.2 million at December 31, 2014) 5.99% senior note due November 2016. In September 2010, the Company issued an 80 million British pound ($124.5 million at December 31, 2014) 4.68% senior note due September 2020. In December 2011, the Company issued a 55 million Swiss franc ($55.6 million at December 31, 2014) 2.44% senior note due December 2021.
	The Company has a revolving credit facility with a total borrowing capacity of $700 million, which excludes an accordion feature that permits the Company to request up to an additional $200 million in revolving credit commitments at any time during the life of the revolving credit agreement under certain conditions. The revolving credit facility expires in December 2018. The revolving credit facility places certain restrictions on allowable additional indebtedness. At December 31, 2014, the Company had available borrowing capacity of $771.2 million under its revolving credit facility, including the $200 million accordion feature.
	Interest rates on outstanding loans under the revolving credit facility are at the applicable benchmark rate plus a negotiated spread or at the U.S. prime rate. At December 31, 2014 and 2013 the Company had $88.1 million and $216.6 million (including a $51.7 million eligible foreign subsidiary borrowing), respectively, of borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit facility. The weighted average interest rate on the revolving credit facility for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 was 1.36% and 1.70%, respectively. The Company had outstanding letters of credit totaling $40.8 million and $47.7 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	The private placements, the senior notes and the revolving credit facility are subject to certain customary covenants, including financial covenants that, among other things, require the Company to maintain certain debt-to-EBITDA and interest coverage ratios. The Company was in compliance with all provisions of the debt arrangements at December 31, 2014.
	Foreign subsidiaries of the Company had available credit facilities with local foreign lenders of $50.9 million at December 31, 2014. Foreign subsidiaries had debt outstanding at December 31, 2014 totaling $22.8 million, including $10.5 million reported in long-term debt.
	The weighted average interest rate on total debt outstanding at December 31, 2014 and 2013 was 5.1% and 5.5%, respectively.

ShareBased_Compensation

Share-Based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Share-Based Compensation	10	Share-Based Compensation
	Under the terms of the Company’s stockholder-approved share-based plans, incentive and non-qualified stock options and restricted stock have been, and may be, issued to the Company’s officers, management-level employees and members of its Board of Directors. Employee and non-employee director stock options generally vest at a rate of 25% per year, beginning one year from the date of the grant, and restricted stock generally has a four-year cliff vesting. Stock options generally have a maximum contractual term of seven years. At December 31, 2014, 17.1 million shares of Company common stock were reserved for issuance under the Company’s share-based plans, including 6.4 million shares for stock options outstanding.
	The Company issues previously unissued shares when stock options are exercised and shares are issued from treasury stock upon the award of restricted stock.
	The Company measures and records compensation expense related to all stock awards by recognizing the grant date fair value of the awards over their requisite service periods in the financial statements. For grants under any of the Company’s plans that are subject to graded vesting over a service period, the Company recognizes expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award.
	The fair value of each stock option grant is estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model. The following weighted average assumptions were used in the Black-Scholes-Merton model to estimate the fair values of stock options granted during the years indicated:
			2014			2013			2012
	Expected volatility			23.9	%		28.1	%		28.4	%
	Expected term (years)			5			5			5.1
	Risk-free interest rate			1.63	%		0.75	%		0.84	%
	Expected dividend yield			0.45	%		0.57	%		0.47	%
	Black-Scholes-Merton fair value per stock option granted		$	12.21		$	10.17		$	8.54
	Expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock. The Company used historical exercise data to estimate the stock options’ expected term, which represents the period of time that the stock options granted are expected to be outstanding. Management anticipates that the future stock option holding periods will be similar to the historical stock option holding periods. The risk-free interest rate for periods within the contractual life of the stock option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve at the time of grant. Compensation expense recognized for all share-based awards is net of estimated forfeitures. The Company’s estimated forfeiture rates are based on its historical experience.
	Total share-based compensation expense was as follows for the years ended December 31:
			2014			2013			2012
			(In thousands)
	Stock option expense		$	9,130		$	10,776		$	9,437
	Restricted stock expense			10,741			10,815			9,947
	Total pre-tax expense			19,871			21,591			19,384
	Related tax benefit			(6,154	)		(6,964	)		(6,518	)
	Reduction of net income		$	13,717		$	14,627		$	12,866
	Pre-tax share-based compensation expense is included in the consolidated statement of income in either Cost of sales, excluding depreciation or Selling, general and administrative expenses, depending on where the recipient’s cash compensation is reported.
	The following is a summary of the Company’s stock option activity and related information for the year ended December 31, 2014:
			Shares			Weighted			Weighted			Aggregate
						Average			Average			Intrinsic
						Exercise			Remaining			Value
						Price			Contractual
									Life
			(In thousands)						(Years)			(In millions)
	Outstanding at the beginning of the year			6,394		$	27.13
	Granted			976			53.13
	Exercised			(846	)		21.93
	Forfeited			(161	)		40.16
	Expired			(1	)		48.98
	Outstanding at the end of the year			6,362		$	31.47			3.6		$	135.1
	Exercisable at the end of the year			3,827		$	23.55			2.5		$	111.3
	The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options exercised during 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $25.7 million, $41.6 million and $45.5 million, respectively. The total fair value of stock options vested during 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $8.9 million, $8.2 million and $8.9 million, respectively.
	The following is a summary of the Company’s nonvested stock option activity and related information for the year ended December 31, 2014:
			Shares			Weighted
						Average
						Grant  Date
						Fair Value
			(In thousands)
	Nonvested stock options outstanding at the beginning of the year			2,880		$	8.65
	Granted			976			12.21
	Vested			(1,160	)		7.7
	Forfeited			(161	)		9.75
	Nonvested stock options outstanding at the end of the year			2,535		$	10.38
	As of December 31, 2014, there was approximately $16.2 million of expected future pre-tax compensation expense related to the 2.5 million nonvested stock options outstanding, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of less than two years.
	The fair value of restricted shares under the Company’s restricted stock arrangement is determined by the product of the number of shares granted and the grant date market price of the Company’s common stock. Upon the grant of restricted stock, the fair value of the restricted shares (unearned compensation) at the date of grant is charged as a reduction of capital in excess of par value in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet and is amortized to expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, which is the same as the calculated derived service period as determined on the grant date.
	Restricted stock grants are subject to accelerated vesting due to certain events, including doubling of the grant price of the Company’s common stock as of the close of business during any five consecutive trading days. On January 25, 2013, 488,235 shares of restricted stock, which were granted on April 29, 2010, and 26,298 shares of restricted stock, which were granted on July 29, 2010, vested under this accelerated vesting provision. The pre-tax charge to income due to the accelerated vesting of these shares was $2.7 million ($1.9 million net after-tax charge) for the year ended December 31, 2013.
	The following is a summary of the Company’s nonvested restricted stock activity and related information for the year ended December 31, 2014:
			Shares			Weighted
						Average
						Grant  Date
						Fair Value
			(In thousands)
	Nonvested restricted stock outstanding at the beginning of the year			987		$	36.12
	Granted			319			52.79
	Vested			(104	)		34.28
	Forfeited			(97	)		38.41
	Nonvested restricted stock outstanding at the end of the year			1,105		$	41.08
	The total fair value of restricted stock vested was $3.6 million, $12.1 million and $11.1 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The weighted average fair value of restricted stock granted per share during 2014 and 2013 was $52.79 and $42.42, respectively. As of December 31, 2014, there was approximately $26.2 million of expected future pre-tax compensation expense related to the 1.1 million nonvested restricted shares outstanding, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of less than two years.
	Under a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”) in 2014, the Company reserved 26,362 shares of common stock. The net reduction for retirements, terminations and dividends was 3,651 shares in 2014. The total number of shares of common stock reserved under the SERP was 605,359 as of December 31, 2014. Charges to expense under the SERP are not significant in amount and are considered pension expense with the offsetting credit reflected in capital in excess of par value.

Retirement_Plans_and_Other_Pos

Retirement Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Retirement Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits	11	Retirement Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits
	Retirement and Pension Plans
	The Company sponsors several retirement and pension plans covering eligible salaried and hourly employees. The plans generally provide benefits based on participants’ years of service and/or compensation. The following is a brief description of the Company’s retirement and pension plans.
	The Company maintains contributory and noncontributory defined benefit pension plans. Benefits for eligible salaried and hourly employees under all defined benefit plans are funded through trusts established in conjunction with the plans. The Company’s funding policy with respect to its defined benefit plans is to contribute amounts that provide for benefits based on actuarial calculations and the applicable requirements of U.S. federal and local foreign laws. The Company estimates that it will make both required and discretionary cash contributions of approximately $54 million to $57 million to its worldwide defined benefit pension plans in 2015. The estimated cash contributions range includes a $50.0 million cash contribution to its U.S. defined benefit pension plans in January 2015.
	The Company uses a measurement date of December 31 (its fiscal year end) for its U.S. and foreign defined benefit pension plans.
	The Company sponsors a 401(k) retirement and savings plan for eligible U.S. employees. Participants in the retirement and savings plan may contribute a specified portion of their compensation on a pre-tax basis, which vary by location. The Company matches employee contributions ranging from 20% to 100%, up to a maximum percentage ranging from 1% to 8% of eligible compensation or up to a maximum of $1,200 per participant in some locations.
	The Company’s retirement and savings plan has a defined contribution retirement feature principally to cover U.S. salaried employees joining the Company after December 31, 1996. Under the retirement feature, the Company makes contributions for eligible employees based on a pre-established percentage of the covered employee’s salary subject to pre-established vesting. Employees of certain of the Company’s foreign operations participate in various local defined contribution plans.
	The Company has nonqualified unfunded retirement plans for its Directors and certain retired employees. It also provides supplemental retirement benefits, through contractual arrangements and/or a SERP covering certain current and former executives of the Company. These supplemental benefits are designed to compensate the executive for retirement benefits that would have been provided under the Company’s primary retirement plan, except for statutory limitations on compensation that must be taken into account under those plans. The projected benefit obligations of the SERP and the contracts will primarily be funded by a grant of shares of the Company’s common stock upon retirement or termination of the executive. The Company is providing for these obligations by charges to earnings over the applicable periods.
	The following tables set forth the changes in net projected benefit obligation and the fair value of plan assets for the funded and unfunded defined benefit plans for the years ended December 31:
	U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans:
			2014			2013
			(In thousands)
	Change in projected benefit obligation:
	Net projected benefit obligation at the beginning of the year		$	428,675		$	473,891
	Service cost			3,208			3,918
	Interest cost			21,000			18,889
	Actuarial losses (gains)			65,417			(41,305	)
	Gross benefits paid			(26,927	)		(26,718	)
	Net projected benefit obligation at the end of the year		$	491,373		$	428,675
	Change in plan assets:
	Fair value of plan assets at the beginning of the year		$	518,388		$	476,465
	Actual return on plan assets			7,094			68,049
	Employer contributions			368			592
	Gross benefits paid			(26,927	)		(26,718	)
	Fair value of plan assets at the end of the year		$	498,923		$	518,388
	Foreign Defined Benefit Pension Plans:
			2014			2013
			(In thousands)
	Change in projected benefit obligation:
	Net projected benefit obligation at the beginning of the year		$	185,178		$	170,180
	Service cost			2,945			2,405
	Interest cost			7,931			7,112
	Foreign currency translation adjustment			(15,961	)		4,823
	Employee contributions			339			344
	Actuarial losses			23,903			6,304
	Gross benefits paid			(6,664	)		(6,002	)
	Plan amendments			—			12
	Net projected benefit obligation at the end of the year		$	197,671		$	185,178
	Change in plan assets:
	Fair value of plan assets at the beginning of the year		$	165,420		$	143,398
	Actual return on plan assets			6,628			18,341
	Employer contributions			5,361			5,264
	Employee contributions			339			344
	Foreign currency translation adjustment			(11,177	)		4,075
	Gross benefits paid			(6,664	)		(6,002	)
	Fair value of plan assets at the end of the year		$	159,907		$	165,420
	The accumulated benefit obligation consisted of the following at December 31:
	U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans:
			2014			2013
			(In thousands)
	Funded plans		$	471,960		$	412,797
	Unfunded plans			5,915			5,274
	Total		$	477,875		$	418,071
	Foreign Defined Benefit Pension Plans:
			2014			2013
			(In thousands)
	Funded plans		$	154,200		$	142,623
	Unfunded plans			32,845			28,759
	Total		$	187,045		$	171,382
	Weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at December 31:
			2014			2013
	U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans:
	Discount rate			4.2	%		5	%
	Rate of compensation increase (where applicable)			3.75	%		3.75	%
Foreign Defined Benefit Pension Plans:
Discount rate			3.44	%		4.38	%
Rate of compensation increase (where applicable)			2.88	%		2.92	%
The following is a summary of the fair value of plan assets for U.S. plans at December 31, 2014 and 2013.
		December 31, 2014									December 31, 2013
Asset Class		Total			Level 1			Level 2			Total		Level 1		Level 2
		(In thousands)
Cash and temporary investments		$	2,413		$	—		$	2,413		$	3,589	$	—	$	3,589
Equity securities:
AMETEK common stock			26,979			26,979			—			29,016		29,016		—
U.S. Small cap common stocks			31,629			31,629			—			33,229		33,229		—
U.S. Large cap common stocks			105,288			67,484			37,804			99,211		65,737		33,474
Diversified common stocks — Global			93,558			—			93,558			94,901		—		94,901
Fixed-income securities and other:
U.S. Corporate			24,162			7,290			16,872			22,732		8,230		14,502
U.S. Government			4,917			3,840			1,077			2,984		2,058		926
Global asset allocation(1)			187,202			111,860			75,342			186,350		112,965		73,385
Inflation related funds			13,729			—			13,729			34,213		—		34,213
Alternative investments:
Inflation related pooled investment fund			9,046			—			—			12,163		—		—
Total investments		$	498,923		$	249,082		$	240,795		$	518,388	$	251,235	$	254,990
-1	This asset class was invested in diversified companies in all geographical regions.
U.S. equity securities and global equity securities categorized as level 1 are traded on national and international exchanges and are valued at their closing prices on the last trading day of the year. For U.S. equity securities and global equity securities not traded on an active exchange, or if the closing price is not available, the trustee obtains indicative quotes from a pricing vendor, broker or investment manager. These securities are categorized as level 2 if the custodian obtains corroborated quotes from a pricing vendor.
Additionally, some U.S. equity securities and global equity securities are public investment vehicles valued using the Net Asset Value (“NAV”) provided by the fund manager. The NAV is the total value of the fund divided by the number of shares outstanding. U.S. equity securities and global equity securities are categorized as level 1 if traded at their NAV on a nationally recognized securities exchange or categorized as level 2 if the NAV is corroborated by observable market data.
Fixed income securities categorized as level 1 are traded on national and international exchanges and are valued at their closing prices on the last trading day of the year and categorized as level 2 if valued by the trustee using pricing models that use verifiable observable market data, bids provided by brokers or dealers or quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics.
Alternative investments categorized as level 3 are valued based on unobservable inputs and cannot be corroborated using verifiable observable market data. Investments in level 3 funds are redeemable, however, cash reimbursement may be delayed or a portion held back until asset finalization.
The following is a summary of the changes in the fair value of the U.S. plans’ level 3 investments (fair value using significant unobservable inputs):
		Alternative
		Investments
		(In thousands)
Balance, December 31, 2012		$	20,543
Actual return on assets:
Unrealized gains relating to instruments still held at the end of the year			(206	)
Realized gains (losses) relating to assets sold during the year			840
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net			(9,014	)
Balance, December 31, 2013			12,163
Actual return on assets:
Unrealized (losses) relating to instruments still held at the end of the year			(3,117	)
Realized gains relating to assets sold during the year			—
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net			—
Balance, December 31, 2014		$	9,046
The expected long-term rate of return on these plan assets was 7.75% in 2014 and 2013, respectively. Equity securities included 512,565 shares of AMETEK, Inc. common stock with a market value of $27.0 million (5.4% of total plan investment assets) at December 31, 2014 and 550,837 shares of AMETEK, Inc. common stock with a market value of $29.0 million (5.6% of total plan investment assets) at December 31, 2013.
The objectives of the AMETEK, Inc. U.S. defined benefit plans’ investment strategy are to maximize the plans’ funded status and minimize Company contributions and plan expense. Because the goal is to optimize returns over the long term, an investment policy that favors equity holdings has been established. Since there may be periods of time where both equity and fixed-income markets provide poor returns, an allocation to alternative assets may be made to improve the overall portfolio’s diversification and return potential. The Company periodically reviews its asset allocation, taking into consideration plan liabilities, plan benefit payment streams and the investment strategy of the pension plans. The actual asset allocation is monitored frequently relative to the established targets and ranges and is rebalanced when necessary. The target allocations for the U.S. defined benefits plans are approximately 45% equity securities, 15% fixed-income securities and 40% other securities and/or cash.
The equity portfolio is diversified by market capitalization and style. The equity portfolio also includes international components.
The objective of the fixed-income portion of the pension assets is to provide interest rate sensitivity for a portion of the assets and to provide diversification. The fixed-income portfolio is diversified within certain quality and maturity guidelines in an attempt to minimize the adverse effects of interest rate fluctuations.
Other than for investments in alternative assets, certain investments are prohibited. Prohibited investments include venture capital, private placements, unregistered or restricted stock, margin trading, commodities, short selling and rights and warrants. Foreign currency futures, options and forward contracts may be used to manage foreign currency exposure.
The following is a summary of the fair value of plan assets for foreign defined benefit pension plans at December 31, 2014 and 2013.
		December 31, 2014						December 31, 2013
Asset Class		Total			Level 2			Total			Level 2
		(In thousands)
Cash		$	5,153		$	5,153		$	5,028		$	5,028
U.S. Mutual equity funds			15,400			15,400			14,408			14,408
Foreign mutual equity funds			94,444			94,444			103,132			103,132
Real estate			4,032			4,032			3,502			3,502
Mutual bond funds — Global			31,990			31,990			25,379			25,379
Life insurance			8,888			—			13,971			—
Total investments		$	159,907		$	151,019		$	165,420		$	151,449
Equity funds, real estate funds and fixed income funds that are valued by the vendor using observable market inputs are considered level 2 investments. Life insurance assets are considered level 3 investments as their values are determined by the sponsor using unobservable market data.
The following is a summary of the changes in the fair value of the foreign plans’ level 3 investments (fair value determined using significant unobservable inputs):
		Life Insurance
		(In thousands)
Balance, December 31, 2012		$	15,112
Actual return on assets:
Unrealized (losses) relating to instruments still held at the end of the year			(1,141	)
Realized gains (losses) relating to assets sold during the year			—
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net			—
Balance, December 31, 2013			13,971
Actual return on assets:
Unrealized (losses) relating to instruments still held at the end of the year			(5,083	)
Realized gains (losses) relating to assets sold during the year			—
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net			—
Balance, December 31, 2014		$	8,888
The objective of AMETEK, Inc.’s foreign defined benefit plans’ investment strategy is to maximize the long-term rate of return on plan investments, subject to a reasonable level of risk. Liability studies are also performed on a regular basis to provide guidance in setting investment goals with an objective to balance risks against the current and future needs of the plans. The trustees consider the risk associated with the different asset classes, relative to the plans’ liabilities and how this can be affected by diversification, and the relative returns available on equities, fixed-income investments, real estate and cash. Also, the likely volatility of those returns and the cash flow requirements of the plans are considered. It is expected that equities will outperform fixed-income investments over the long term. However, the trustees recognize the fact that fixed-income investments may better match the liabilities for pensioners. Because of the relatively young active employee group covered by the plans and the immature nature of the plans, the trustees have chosen to adopt an asset allocation strategy more heavily weighted toward equity investments. This asset allocation strategy will be reviewed, from time to time, in view of changes in market conditions and in the plans’ liability profile. The actual and target allocations for the foreign defined benefit plans are approximately 70% equity securities, 15% fixed-income securities and 15% other securities, insurance or cash.
The assumption for the expected return on plan assets was developed based on a review of historical investment returns for the investment categories for the defined benefit pension assets. This review also considered current capital market conditions and projected future investment returns. The estimates of future capital market returns by asset class are lower than the actual long-term historical returns. The current low interest rate environment influences this outlook. Therefore, the assumed rate of return for U.S. plans is 7.75% and 6.92% for foreign plans in 2015.
The projected benefit obligation, accumulated benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets for pension plans with a projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets and pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets were as follows at December 31:
U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans:
		Projected Benefit						Accumulated Benefit
		Obligation Exceeds						Obligation Exceeds
		Fair Value of Assets						Fair Value of Assets
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(In thousands)
Benefit obligation		$	25,790		$	5,274		$	25,790		$	5,274
Fair value of plan assets			17,182			—			17,182			—
Foreign Defined Benefit Pension Plans:
		Projected Benefit						Accumulated Benefit
		Obligation Exceeds						Obligation Exceeds
		Fair Value of Assets						Fair Value of Assets
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(In thousands)
Benefit obligation		$	111,095		$	101,166		$	104,196		$	33,386
Fair value of plan assets			63,496			65,948			63,496			3,872
The following table provides the amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31:
		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
Funded status asset (liability):
Fair value of plan assets		$	658,830		$	683,808
Projected benefit obligation			(689,044	)		(613,853	)
Funded status at the end of the year		$	(30,214	)	$	69,955
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet consisted of:
Noncurrent asset for pension benefits (other assets)		$	25,993		$	110,447
Current liabilities for pension benefits			(1,139	)		(2,114	)
Noncurrent liability for pension benefits			(55,068	)		(38,378	)
Net amount recognized at the end of the year		$	(30,214	)	$	69,955
The following table provides the amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of taxes, at December 31:
Net amounts recognized:		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
Net actuarial loss		$	143,380		$	65,610
Prior service costs			(1,407	)		(1,551	)
Transition asset			9			9
Total recognized		$	141,982		$	64,068
The following table provides the components of net periodic pension benefit expense (income) for the years ended December 31:
		2014			2013			2012
		(In thousands)
Defined benefit plans:
Service cost		$	6,153		$	6,323		$	5,201
Interest cost			28,931			26,000			27,620
Expected return on plan assets			(50,196	)		(45,008	)		(42,758	)
Amortization of:
Net actuarial loss			4,483			13,484			12,161
Prior service costs			(51	)		(35	)		60
Transition asset			1			(1	)		(22	)
Total net periodic benefit (income) expense			(10,679	)		763			2,262
Other plans:
Defined contribution plans			20,714			18,195			17,754
Foreign plans and other			5,325			5,151			4,936
Total other plans			26,039			23,346			22,690
Total net pension expense		$	15,360		$	24,109		$	24,952
The total net periodic benefit expense (income) is included in Cost of sales, excluding depreciation in the consolidated statement of income. The estimated amount that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic pension benefit expense in 2015 for the net actuarial losses and prior service costs is expected to be $8.8 million.
The following weighted average assumptions were used to determine the above net periodic pension benefit expense for the years ended December 31:
		2014			2013			2012
U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans:
Discount rate			5	%		4.1	%		5	%
Expected return on plan assets			7.75	%		7.75	%		8	%
Rate of compensation increase (where applicable)			3.75	%		3.75	%		3.75	%
Foreign Defined Benefit Pension Plans:
Discount rate			4.38	%		4.44	%		5.22	%
Expected return on plan assets			6.93	%		6.91	%		6.96	%
Rate of compensation increase (where applicable)			2.92	%		2.89	%		2.97	%
Estimated Future Benefit Payments
The estimated future benefit payments for U.S. and foreign plans are as follows: 2015 - $33.4 million; 2016 - $34.1 million; 2017 - $35.5 million; 2018 - $36.5 million; 2019 - $37.3 million; 2020 to 2024 - $199.8 million. Future benefit payments primarily represent amounts to be paid from pension trust assets. Amounts included that are to be paid from the Company’s assets are not significant in any individual year.
Postretirement Plans and Postemployment Benefits
The Company provides limited postretirement benefits other than pensions for certain retirees and a small number of former employees. Benefits under these arrangements are not funded and are not significant.
The Company also provides limited postemployment benefits for certain former or inactive employees after employment but before retirement. Those benefits are not significant in amount.
The Company has a deferred compensation plan, which allows employees whose compensation exceeds the statutory IRS limit for retirement benefits to defer a portion of earned bonus compensation. The plan permits deferred amounts to be deemed invested in either, or a combination of, (a) an interest-bearing account, benefits from which are payable out of the general assets of the Company, or (b) the equivalent of a fund which invests in shares of the Company’s common stock on behalf of the employee. The amount deferred under the plan, including income earned, was $21.2 million and $19.7 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Administrative expense for the deferred compensation plan is borne by the Company and is not significant.

Guarantees

Guarantees	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Guarantees [Abstract]
Guarantees	12	Guarantees
	The Company does not provide significant guarantees on a routine basis. The Company primarily issues guarantees, stand-by letters of credit and surety bonds in the ordinary course of its business to provide financial or performance assurance to third parties on behalf of its consolidated subsidiaries to support or enhance the subsidiary’s stand-alone creditworthiness. The amounts subject to certain of these agreements vary depending on the covered contracts actually outstanding at any particular point in time. At December 31, 2014, the maximum amount of future payment obligations relative to these various guarantees was $79.1 million and the outstanding liability under certain of those guarantees was $11.4 million.
	Indemnifications
	In conjunction with certain acquisition and divestiture transactions, the Company may agree to make payments to compensate or indemnify other parties for possible future unfavorable financial consequences resulting from specified events (e.g., breaches of contract obligations or retention of previously existing environmental, tax or employee liabilities) whose terms range in duration and often are not explicitly defined. Where appropriate, the obligation for such indemnifications is recorded as a liability. Because the amount of these types of indemnifications generally is not specifically stated, the overall maximum amount of the obligation under such indemnifications cannot be reasonably estimated. Further, the Company indemnifies its directors and officers for claims against them in connection with their positions with the Company. Historically, any such costs incurred to settle claims related to these indemnifications have been minimal for the Company. The Company believes that future payments, if any, under all existing indemnification agreements would not have a material impact on its consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
	Product Warranties
	The Company provides limited warranties in connection with the sale of its products. The warranty periods for products sold vary widely among the Company’s operations, but for the most part do not exceed one year. The Company calculates its warranty expense provision based on past warranty experience and adjustments are made periodically to reflect actual warranty expenses.
	Changes in the accrued product warranty obligation were as follows at December 31:
			2014			2013			2012
			(In thousands)
	Balance at the beginning of the year		$	28,036		$	27,792		$	22,466
	Accruals for warranties issued during the year			10,515			8,588			10,089
	Settlements made during the year			(11,688	)		(10,484	)		(10,602	)
	Warranty accruals related to acquired businesses and other during the year			2,901			2,140			5,839
	Balance at the end of the year		$	29,764		$	28,036		$	27,792
	Certain settlements of warranties made during the period were for specific nonrecurring warranty obligations. Product warranty obligations are reported as current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet.

Contingencies

Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Contingencies	13	Contingencies
	Asbestos Litigation
	The Company (including its subsidiaries) has been named as a defendant, along with many other companies, in a number of asbestos-related lawsuits. Many of these lawsuits either relate to businesses which were acquired by the Company and do not involve products which were manufactured or sold by the Company or relate to previously owned businesses of the Company which are under new ownership. In connection with many of these lawsuits, the sellers or new owners of such businesses, as the case may be, have agreed to indemnify the Company against these claims (the “Indemnified Claims”). The Indemnified Claims have been tendered to, and are being defended by, such sellers and new owners. These sellers and new owners have met their obligations, in all respects, and the Company does not have any reason to believe such parties would fail to fulfill their obligations in the future; however, one of these companies filed for bankruptcy liquidation in 2007. To date, no judgments have been rendered against the Company as a result of any asbestos-related lawsuit. The Company believes it has strong defenses to the claims being asserted and intends to continue to vigorously defend itself in these matters.
	Environmental Matters
	Certain historic processes in the manufacture of products have resulted in environmentally hazardous waste by-products as defined by federal and state laws and regulations. At December 31, 2014, the Company is named a Potentially Responsible Party (“PRP”) at 14 non-AMETEK-owned former waste disposal or treatment sites (the “non-owned” sites). The Company is identified as a “de minimis” party in 13 of these sites based on the low volume of waste attributed to the Company relative to the amounts attributed to other named PRPs. In nine of these sites, the Company has reached a tentative agreement on the cost of the de minimis settlement to satisfy its obligation and is awaiting executed agreements. The tentatively agreed-to settlement amounts are fully reserved. In the other four sites, the Company is continuing to investigate the accuracy of the alleged volume attributed to the Company as estimated by the parties primarily responsible for remedial activity at the sites to establish an appropriate settlement amount. At the remaining site where the Company is a non-de minimis PRP, the Company is participating in the investigation and/or related required remediation as part of a PRP Group and reserves have been established sufficient to satisfy the Company’s expected obligations. The Company historically has resolved these issues within established reserve levels and reasonably expects this result will continue. In addition to these non-owned sites, the Company has an ongoing practice of providing reserves for probable remediation activities at certain of its current or previously owned manufacturing locations (the “owned” sites). For claims and proceedings against the Company with respect to other environmental matters, reserves are established once the Company has determined that a loss is probable and estimable. This estimate is refined as the Company moves through the various stages of investigation, risk assessment, feasibility study and corrective action processes. In certain instances, the Company has developed a range of estimates for such costs and has recorded a liability based on the low end of the range. It is reasonably possible that the actual cost of remediation of the individual sites could vary from the current estimates and the amounts accrued in the consolidated financial statements; however, the amounts of such variances are not expected to result in a material change to the consolidated financial statements. In estimating the Company’s liability for remediation, the Company also considers the likely proportionate share of the anticipated remediation expense and the ability of the other PRPs to fulfill their obligations.
	Total environmental reserves at December 31, 2014 and 2013 were $26.6 million and $21.9 million, respectively, for both non-owned and owned sites. In 2014, the Company recorded $8.3 million in reserves, of which $3.6 million was related to a 2014 business acquisition. These reserves relate to the estimated costs to remediate known environmental issues at sites associated with the acquired business. Additionally, the Company spent $3.6 million on environmental matters in 2014. The Company’s reserves for environmental liabilities at December 31, 2014 and 2013 include reserves of $11.7 million and $13.3 million, respectively, for an owned site acquired in connection with the 2005 acquisition of HCC Industries (“HCC”). The Company is the designated performing party for the performance of remedial activities for one of several operating units making up a Superfund site in the San Gabriel Valley of California. The Company has obtained indemnifications and other financial assurances from the former owners of HCC related to the costs of the required remedial activities. At December 31, 2014, the Company had $9.3 million in receivables related to HCC for probable recoveries from third-party escrow funds and other committed third-party funds to support the required remediation. Also, the Company is indemnified by HCC’s former owners for approximately $19.0 million of additional costs.
	The Company has agreements with other former owners of certain of its acquired businesses, as well as new owners of previously owned businesses. Under certain of the agreements, the former or new owners retained, or assumed and agreed to indemnify the Company against, certain environmental and other liabilities under certain circumstances. The Company and some of these other parties also carry insurance coverage for some environmental matters. To date, these parties have met their obligations in all material respects.
	The Company believes it has established reserves which are sufficient to perform all known responsibilities under existing claims and consent orders. The Company has no reason to believe that other third parties would fail to perform their obligations in the future. In the opinion of management, based upon presently available information and past experience related to such matters, an adequate provision for probable costs has been made and the ultimate cost resulting from these actions is not expected to materially affect the consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows of the Company.

Leases_and_Other_Commitments

Leases and Other Commitments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Leases and Other Commitments	14	Leases and Other Commitments
	Minimum aggregate rental commitments under noncancellable leases in effect at December 31, 2014 (principally for production and administrative facilities and equipment) amounted to $158.3 million, consisting of payments of $36.0 million in 2015, $27.4 million in 2016, $18.6 million in 2017, $14.4 million in 2018, $11.7 million in 2019 and $50.2 million thereafter. The leases expire over a range of years from 2015 to 2082, with renewal or purchase options, subject to various terms and conditions, contained in most of the leases. Rental expense was $44.6 million in 2014, $39.5 million in 2013 and $28.0 million in 2012.
	As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had $388.7 million and $335.0 million, respectively, in purchase obligations outstanding, which primarily consisted of contractual commitments to purchase certain inventories at fixed prices.

Reportable_Segments_and_Geogra

Reportable Segments and Geographic Areas Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Reportable Segments and Geographic Areas Information	15	Reportable Segments and Geographic Areas Information
	Descriptive Information about Reportable Segments
	The Company has two reportable segments, EIG and EMG. The Company’s operating units are identified based on the existence of segment managers. Certain of the Company’s operating units have been aggregated for segment reporting purposes primarily on the basis of product type, production processes, distribution methods and similarity of economic characteristics.
	EIG manufactures advanced instruments for the process, aerospace, power and industrial markets. It provides process and analytical instruments for the oil, gas, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, semiconductor and factory automation markets. It provides instruments for the laboratory equipment, ultraprecision manufacturing, medical, and test and measurement markets. It supplies the aerospace industry with aircraft and engine sensors, monitoring systems, power instruments, data acquisition units, and fuel and fluid measurement systems. It makes power quality monitoring and metering devices, industrial battery chargers and uninterruptible power supplies, programmable power equipment, electrical test equipment and gas turbine sensors. It provides dashboard instruments for heavy trucks and other vehicles as well as timing controls and cooking computers for the food service industry.
	EMG is a differentiated supplier of electrical interconnects, precision motion control solutions, specialty metals, thermal management systems, and floor care and specialty motors. It makes precision motion control products for data storage, medical devices, business equipment, factory automation and other applications. It manufacturers highly engineered electrical connectors and packaging used to protect sensitive electronic devices. It provides high-purity metals, metal strip, shaped wire and advanced composites for a wide range of industrial applications. It operates a global network of aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities. It manufactures motors used in commercial appliances, fitness equipment, food and beverage machines, hydraulic pumps, industrial blowers and vacuum cleaners.
	Measurement of Segment Results
	Segment operating income represents net sales less all direct costs and expenses (including certain administrative and other expenses) applicable to each segment, but does not include interest expense. Net sales by segment are reported after elimination of intra- and intersegment sales and profits, which are insignificant in amount. Reported segment assets include allocations directly related to the segment’s operations. Corporate assets consist primarily of investments, prepaid pensions, insurance deposits and deferred taxes.
	Reportable Segment Financial Information
			2014			2013			2012
			(In thousands)
	Net sales(1):
	Electronic Instruments		$	2,421,638		$	2,034,594		$	1,872,557
	Electromechanical			1,600,326			1,559,542			1,461,656
	Consolidated net sales		$	4,021,964		$	3,594,136		$	3,334,213
	Operating income and income before income taxes:
	Segment operating income(2):
	Electronic Instruments		$	612,992		$	552,110		$	497,116
	Electromechanical			335,046			309,402			292,205
	Total segment operating income			948,038			861,512			789,321
	Corporate administrative and other expenses			(49,452	)		(46,433	)		(43,449	)
	Consolidated operating income			898,586			815,079			745,872
	Interest and other expenses, net			(93,754	)		(90,284	)		(83,397	)
	Consolidated income before income taxes		$	804,832		$	724,795		$	662,475
	Assets:
	Electronic Instruments		$	3,752,247		$	3,166,917
	Electromechanical			2,366,083			2,419,059
	Total segment assets			6,118,330			5,585,976
	Corporate			302,633			291,926
	Consolidated assets		$	6,420,963		$	5,877,902
	Additions to property, plant and equipment(3):
	Electronic Instruments		$	95,787		$	37,597		$	39,400
	Electromechanical			35,404			35,025			67,935
	Total segment additions to property, plant and equipment			131,191			72,622			107,335
	Corporate			1,966			3,021			1,840
	Consolidated additions to property, plant and equipment		$	133,157		$	75,643		$	109,175
	Depreciation and amortization:
	Electronic Instruments		$	75,364		$	57,808		$	50,473
	Electromechanical			61,770			59,988			54,406
	Total segment depreciation and amortization			137,134			117,796			104,879
	Corporate			1,450			861			592
	Consolidated depreciation and amortization		$	138,584		$	118,657		$	105,471
	-1	After elimination of intra- and intersegment sales, which are not significant in amount.
	-2	Segment operating income represents net sales less all direct costs and expenses (including certain administrative and other expenses) applicable to each segment, but does not include interest expense.
	-3	Includes $61.8 million in 2014, $12.3 million in 2013 and $51.7 million in 2012 from acquired businesses.
	Geographic Areas
	Information about the Company’s operations in different geographic areas for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 is shown below. Net sales were attributed to geographic areas based on the location of the customer. Accordingly, U.S. export sales are reported in international sales.
			2014			2013			2012
			(In thousands)
	Net sales:
	United States		$	1,825,799		$	1,609,661		$	1,626,577
	International(1):
	United Kingdom			220,877			201,543			189,704
	European Union countries			674,608			627,116			526,193
	Asia			806,926			679,490			620,456
	Other foreign countries			493,754			476,326			371,283
	Total international			2,196,165			1,984,475			1,707,636
	Total consolidated		$	4,021,964		$	3,594,136		$	3,334,213
	Long-lived assets from continuing operations (excluding intangible assets):
	United States		$	289,080		$	233,844
	International(2):
	United Kingdom			34,736			37,080
	European Union countries			76,542			84,812
	Asia			22,314			21,003
	Other foreign countries			25,774			26,051
Total international			159,366			168,946
Total consolidated		$	448,446		$	402,790
-1	Includes U.S. export sales of $1,148.1 million in 2014, $1,037.0 million in 2013 and $862.6 million in 2012.
-2	Represents long-lived assets of foreign-based operations only.

Additional_Consolidated_Income

Additional Consolidated Income Statement and Cash Flow Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Additional Consolidated Income Statement and Cash Flow Information	16	Additional Consolidated Income Statement and Cash Flow Information
	Included in other income are interest and other investment income of $1.1 million, $1.0 million and $1.6 million for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Income taxes paid in 2014, 2013 and 2012 were $211.6 million, $173.4 million and $171.2 million, respectively. Cash paid for interest was $74.9 million, $72.7 million and $75.0 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	17	Stockholders’ Equity
	In 2013, the Company repurchased approximately 206,000 shares of common stock for $8.5 million in cash under its share repurchase authorization. At December 31, 2013, $92.4 million was available under the Company’s Board of Directors authorization for future share repurchases. In 2014, the Company repurchased approximately 4,755,000 shares of common stock for $245.3 million in cash under its share repurchase authorization. On November 5, 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors approved an increase of $200 million in the authorization for repurchase of Company’s common stock. At December 31, 2014, $47.1 million was available under the Company’s Board of Directors authorization for future share repurchases.
	At December 31, 2014, the Company held 17.5 million shares in its treasury at a cost of $457.8 million, compared with 13.0 million shares at a cost of $215.9 million at December 31, 2013. The number of shares outstanding at December 31, 2014 was 241.3 million shares, compared with 245.0 million shares at December 31, 2013.
	The Company has a Shareholder Rights Plan, under which the Company’s Board of Directors declared a dividend of one Right for each share of Company common stock owned at the close of business on June 2, 2007, and has authorized the issuance of one Right for each share of common stock of the Company issued between the Record Date and the Distribution Date. The Plan provides, under certain conditions involving acquisition of the Company’s common stock, that holders of Rights, except for the acquiring entity, would be entitled (i) to purchase shares of preferred stock at a specified exercise price, or (ii) to purchase shares of common stock of the Company, or the acquiring company, having a value of twice the Rights exercise price. The Rights under the Plan expire in June 2017.

Quarterly_Financial_Data

Quarterly Financial Data	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Quarterly Financial Data	18	Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
			First		Second		Third		Fourth		Total Year
			Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter
			(In thousands, except per share amounts)
	2014
	Net sales		$	975,292	$	990,718	$	1,031,811	$	1,024,143	$	4,021,964
	Operating income		$	221,631	$	231,728	$	218,143	$	227,084	$	898,586
	Net income		$	140,586	$	150,063	$	141,811	$	152,000	$	584,460
	Basic earnings per share*		$	0.57	$	0.61	$	0.58	$	0.62	$	2.39
	Diluted earnings per share*		$	0.57	$	0.61	$	0.57	$	0.62	$	2.37
	Dividends paid per share*		$	0.06	$	0.09	$	0.09	$	0.09	$	0.33
	2013
	Net sales		$	882,853	$	878,809	$	890,006	$	942,468	$	3,594,136
	Operating income		$	197,235	$	202,613	$	204,686	$	210,545	$	815,079
	Net income		$	125,146	$	128,321	$	127,864	$	135,668	$	516,999
	Basic earnings per share*		$	0.51	$	0.53	$	0.52	$	0.55	$	2.12
	Diluted earnings per share*		$	0.51	$	0.52	$	0.52	$	0.55	$	2.1
	Dividends paid per share*		$	0.06	$	0.06	$	0.06	$	0.06	$	0.24
	*	The sum of quarterly earnings per share may not equal total year earnings per share due to rounding of earnings per share amounts, and differences in weighted average shares and equivalent shares outstanding for each of the periods presented.

Significant_Accounting_Policie1

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Consolidation	Basis of Consolidation
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of AMETEK, Inc. (the “Company”), and include the accounts of the Company and subsidiaries, after elimination of all intercompany transactions in the consolidation.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash Equivalents, Securities and Other Investments	Cash Equivalents, Securities and Other Investments
	All highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased are considered cash equivalents. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company’s investment in a fixed-income mutual fund (held by its captive insurance subsidiary) is classified as “available-for-sale.” The aggregate market value of the fixed-income mutual fund at December 31, 2014 and 2013 was $9.2 million ($9.9 million cost basis) and $8.2 million ($8.6 million cost basis), respectively. The temporary unrealized gain or loss on the fixed-income mutual fund is recorded as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income (in stockholders’ equity), and is not significant. Certain of the Company’s other investments, which are not significant, are also accounted for by the equity method of accounting.
Accounts Receivable	Accounts Receivable
	The Company maintains allowances for estimated losses resulting from the inability of specific customers to meet their financial obligations to the Company. A specific reserve for doubtful receivables is recorded against the amount due from these customers. For all other customers, the Company recognizes reserves for doubtful receivables based on the length of time specific receivables are past due based on past experience. The allowance for possible losses on receivables was $10.4 million and $9.5 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. See Note 7.
Inventories	Inventories
	The Company uses the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method of accounting, which approximates current replacement cost, for 80% of its inventories at December 31, 2014. The last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method of accounting is used to determine cost for the remaining 20% of the Company’s inventory at December 31, 2014. For inventories where cost is determined by the LIFO method, the excess of the FIFO value over the LIFO value was $24.4 million and $23.3 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The Company provides estimated inventory reserves for slow-moving and obsolete inventory based on current assessments about future demand, market conditions, customers who may be experiencing financial difficulties and related management initiatives.
Business Combinations	Business Combinations
	The Company allocates the purchase price of an acquired company, including when applicable, the fair value of contingent consideration between tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed from the acquired business based on their estimated fair values, with the residual of the purchase price recorded as goodwill. The results of operations of the acquired business are included in the Company’s operating results from the date of acquisition. See Note 5.
Property, Plant and Equipment	Property, Plant and Equipment
	Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Expenditures for additions to plant facilities, or that extend their useful lives, are capitalized. The cost of minor tools, jigs and dies, and maintenance and repairs is charged to expense as incurred. Depreciation of plant and equipment is calculated principally on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. The range of lives for depreciable assets is generally three to ten years for machinery and equipment, five to 27 years for leasehold improvements and 25 to 50 years for buildings.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives, primarily trademarks and trade names, are not amortized; rather, they are tested for impairment at least annually.
	The Company identifies its reporting units at the component level, which is one level below our operating units. Generally, goodwill arises from acquisitions of specific operating companies and is assigned to the reporting unit in which a particular operating company resides. Our reporting units are composed of divisions and are one level below our operating units and for which discrete financial information is prepared and regularly reviewed by segment management.
	The Company principally relies on a discounted cash flow analysis to determine the fair value of each reporting unit, which considers forecasted cash flows discounted at an appropriate discount rate. The Company believes that market participants would use a discounted cash flow analysis to determine the fair value of its reporting units in a sales transaction. The annual goodwill impairment test requires the Company to make a number of assumptions and estimates concerning future levels of revenue growth, operating margins, depreciation, amortization and working capital requirements, which are based upon the Company’s long-range plan. The Company’s long-range plan is updated as part of its annual planning process and is reviewed and approved by management. The discount rate is an estimate of the overall after-tax rate of return required by a market participant whose weighted average cost of capital includes both equity and debt, including a risk premium. While the Company uses the best available information to prepare its cash flow and discount rate assumptions, actual future cash flows or market conditions could differ significantly resulting in future impairment charges related to recorded goodwill balances.
	The impairment test for indefinite-lived intangibles other than goodwill (primarily trademarks and trade names) consists of a comparison of the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset to the carrying value of the asset as of the impairment testing date. The Company estimates the fair value of its indefinite-lived intangibles using the relief from royalty method. The fair value derived from the relief from royalty method is measured as the discounted cash flow savings realized from owning such trademarks and trade names and not having to pay a royalty for their use.
	The Company completed its required annual impairment tests in the fourth quarter of 2014, 2013 and 2012 and determined that the carrying values of goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives were not impaired.
	The Company evaluates impairment of its long-lived assets, other than goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. The carrying value of a long-lived asset group is considered impaired when the total projected undiscounted cash flows from such asset group are separately identifiable and are less than the carrying value. In that event, a loss is recognized based on the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair market value of the long-lived asset group. Fair market value is determined primarily using present value techniques based on projected cash flows from the asset group. Losses on long-lived assets held for sale, other than goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, are determined in a similar manner, except that fair market values are reduced for disposal costs.
	Intangible assets, other than goodwill, with definite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Patents and technology are being amortized over useful lives of four to 20 years, with a weighted average life of 16 years. Customer relationships are being amortized over a period of five to 20 years, with a weighted average life of 19 years. Miscellaneous other intangible assets are being amortized over a period of three to 20 years. The Company periodically evaluates the reasonableness of the estimated useful lives of these intangible assets.
Financial Instruments and Foreign Currency Translation	Financial Instruments and Foreign Currency Translation
	Assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated using exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date and their results of operations are translated using average exchange rates for the year. Certain transactions of the Company and its subsidiaries are made in currencies other than their functional currency. Exchange gains and losses from those transactions are included in operating results for the year.
	The Company makes infrequent use of derivative financial instruments. Forward contracts are entered into from time to time to hedge specific firm commitments for certain inventory purchases, export sales, debt or foreign currency transactions, thereby minimizing the Company’s exposure to raw material commodity price or foreign currency fluctuation. See Note 3.
	In instances where transactions are designated as hedges of an underlying item, the gains and losses on those transactions are included in accumulated other comprehensive income within stockholders’ equity to the extent they are effective as hedges. The Company has designated certain foreign-currency-denominated long-term borrowings as hedges of the net investment in certain foreign operations. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, these net investment hedges included British-pound- and Euro-denominated long-term debt, pertaining to certain of its investments in 100% owned subsidiaries whose functional currency is either the British pound or the Euro. These borrowings were designed to create net investment hedges in each of the designated foreign subsidiaries. The Company designated the British-pound- and Euro-denominated loans referred to above as hedging instruments to offset translation gains or losses on the net investment due to changes in the British pound and Euro exchange rates. These net investment hedges were evidenced by management’s contemporaneous documentation supporting the hedge designation. Any gain or loss on the hedging instrument (the debt) following hedge designation is reported in accumulated other comprehensive income in the same manner as the translation adjustment on the investment based on changes in the spot rate, which is used to measure hedge effectiveness. An evaluation of hedge effectiveness is performed by the Company on an ongoing basis and any changes in the hedge are made as appropriate. See Note 4.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition
	The Company recognizes revenue on product sales in the period when the sales process is complete. This generally occurs when products are shipped to the customer in accordance with terms of an agreement of sale, under which title and risk of loss have been transferred, collectability is reasonably assured and pricing is fixed or determinable. For a small percentage of sales where title and risk of loss passes at point of delivery, the Company recognizes revenue upon delivery to the customer, assuming all other criteria for revenue recognition are met. The Company’s policy, with respect to sales returns and allowances, generally provides that the customer may not return products or be given allowances, except at the Company’s option. The Company has agreements with distributors that do not provide expanded rights of return for unsold products. The distributor purchases the product from the Company, at which time title and risk of loss transfers to the distributor. The Company does not offer substantial sales incentives and credits to its distributors other than volume discounts. The Company accounts for these sales incentives as a reduction of revenues when the sale is recognized in the consolidated statement of income. Accruals for sales returns, other allowances and estimated warranty costs are provided at the time revenue is recognized based upon past experience. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the accrual for future warranty obligations was $29.8 million and $28.0 million, respectively. The Company’s expense for warranty obligations was $10.5 million in 2014, $8.6 million in 2013 and $10.1 million in 2012. The warranty periods for products sold vary widely among the Company’s operations, but for the most part do not exceed one year. The Company calculates its warranty expense provision based on past warranty experience and adjustments are made periodically to reflect actual warranty expenses.
Research and Development	Research and Development
	Company-funded research and development costs are included in Cost of sales, excluding depreciation as incurred and were $119.3 million in 2014, $93.9 million in 2013 and $84.9 million in 2012.
Shipping and Handling Costs	Shipping and Handling Costs
	Shipping and handling costs are included in Cost of sales, excluding depreciation and were $49.0 million in 2014, $41.9 million in 2013 and $39.0 million in 2012.
Share-Based Compensation	Share-Based Compensation
	The Company expenses the fair value of share-based awards made under its share-based plans in the consolidated financial statements over their requisite service period of the grants. See Note 10.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes
	The Company’s annual provision for income taxes and determination of the related balance sheet accounts requires management to assess uncertainties, make judgments regarding outcomes and utilize estimates. The Company conducts a broad range of operations around the world and is therefore subject to complex tax regulations in numerous international taxing jurisdictions, resulting at times in tax audits, disputes and potential litigation, the outcome of which is uncertain. Management must make judgments currently about such uncertainties and determine estimates of the Company’s tax assets and liabilities. To the extent the final outcome differs, future adjustments to the Company’s tax assets and liabilities may be necessary. The Company recognizes interest and penalties accrued related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense.
	The Company also is required to assess the realizability of its deferred tax assets, taking into consideration the Company’s forecast of future taxable income, the reversal of other existing temporary differences, available net operating loss carryforwards and available tax planning strategies that could be implemented to realize the deferred tax assets. Based on this assessment, management must evaluate the need for, and amount of, valuation allowances against the Company’s deferred tax assets. To the extent facts and circumstances change in the future, adjustments to the valuation allowances may be required.
Earnings Per Share	Earnings Per Share
	The calculation of basic earnings per share is based on the weighted average number of common shares considered outstanding during the periods. The calculation of diluted earnings per share reflects the effect of all potentially dilutive securities (principally outstanding stock options and restricted stock grants). The number of weighted average shares used in the calculation of basic earnings per share and diluted earnings per share was as follows for the years ended December 31:
		2014		2013		2012
		(In thousands)
	Weighted average shares:
	Basic shares		244,885		243,915		241,512
	Equity-based compensation plans		2,217		2,150		2,474
	Diluted shares		247,102		246,065		243,986
Accounting for Cumulative Translation Adjustment	In March 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-05, Parent’s Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets within a Foreign Entity or of an Investment in a Foreign Entity (“ASU 2013-05”). ASU 2013-05 provides guidance for the treatment of the cumulative translation adjustment when an entity ceases to hold a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets within a foreign entity. The Company adopted ASU 2013-05 effective January 1, 2014 and the adoption did not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
Presentation of Unrecognized Tax Benefit	In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists (“ASU 2013-11”). ASU 2013-11 provides guidance for the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. The Company adopted ASU 2013-11 effective January 1, 2014 and the adoption did not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statement presentation.
Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity	In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-08, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity (“ASU 2014-08”). ASU 2014-08 revised guidance to only allow disposals of components of an entity that represent a strategic shift (e.g., disposal of a major geographical area, a major line of business, a major equity method investment, or other major parts of an entity) and that have a major effect on a reporting entity’s operations and financial results to be reported as discontinued operations. The revised guidance also requires expanded disclosure in the financial statements for discontinued operations as well as for disposals of significant components of an entity that do not qualify for discontinued operations presentation. ASU 2014-08 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2014-08 to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
Revenue from Contracts with Customers	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The objective of ASU 2014-09 is to establish a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and will supersede most of the existing revenue recognition guidance. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is that an entity recognizes revenue at the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In applying the new guidance, the Company must (1) identify the contract(s) with a customer; (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determine the transaction price; (4) allocate the transaction price to the contract’s performance obligations; and (5) recognize revenue when the Company satisfies a performance obligation. ASU 2014-09 applies to all contracts with customers except those that are within the scope of other topics in the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. ASU 2014-09 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and can be adopted by the Company using either a full retrospective or modified retrospective approach, with early adoption prohibited. The Company continues to evaluate the impacts and monitor the developments related to ASU 2014-09. The Company has not determined the impact ASU 2014-09 may have on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows nor decided upon the method of adoption.

Significant_Accounting_Policie2

Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Number of Weighted Average Shares	The number of weighted average shares used in the calculation of basic earnings per share and diluted earnings per share was as follows for the years ended December 31:
		2014		2013		2012
		(In thousands)
	Weighted average shares:
	Basic shares		244,885		243,915		241,512
	Equity-based compensation plans		2,217		2,150		2,474
	Diluted shares		247,102		246,065		243,986

Fair_Value_Measurement_Tables

Fair Value Measurement (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value of Assets Measured on Recurring Basis	The following table provides the Company’s assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, consistent with the fair value hierarchy:
		December 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
		Fair Value			Fair Value
		(In thousands)
	Fixed-income investments	$	9,219		$	8,234
Fair Value Disclosures of Financial Instruments Liabilities	The following table provides the estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments liabilities, for which fair value is measured for disclosure purposes only, compared to the recorded amounts at December 31, 2014 and 2013:
		December 31, 2014						December 31, 2013
		Recorded Amount			Fair Value			Recorded Amount			Fair Value
		(In thousands)
	Short-term borrowings	$	(88,100	)	$	(88,100	)	$	(268,764	)	$	(268,764	)
	Long-term debt (including current portion)		(1,625,926	)		(1,768,439	)		(1,146,301	)		(1,290,466	)

Acquisitions_Tables

Acquisitions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Allocation of Aggregate Purchase Price of Acquired Net Assets	The following table represents the preliminary allocation of the aggregate purchase price for the net assets of the above acquisitions based on their estimated fair values at acquisition (in millions):
	Property, plant and equipment		$	61.8
	Goodwill			272.1
	Other intangible assets			270.7
	Deferred income taxes			(64.5	)
	Net working capital and other*			33.5
	Total purchase price		$	573.6
	*	Includes $33.9 million in accounts receivable, whose fair value, contractual cash flows and expected cash flows are approximately equal.

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_1

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Changes in Carrying Amounts of Goodwill by Segment	The changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill by segment were as follows:
		EIG			EMG			Total
		(In millions)
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	1,215.00		$	993.2		$	2,208.20
	Goodwill acquired		213.5			—			213.5
	Purchase price allocation adjustments and other		(25.5	)		(6.0	)		(31.5	)
	Foreign currency translation adjustments		7.8			10.4			18.2
	Balance at December 31, 2013		1,410.80			997.6			2,408.40
	Goodwill acquired		272.1			—			272.1
	Purchase price allocation adjustments and other		(0.4	)		—			(0.4	)
	Foreign currency translation adjustments		(35.8	)		(30.3	)		(66.1	)
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	1,646.70		$	967.3		$	2,614.00
Other Intangible Assets	Other intangible assets were as follows at December 31:
		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Definite-lived intangible assets (subject to amortization):
	Patents	$	53,474		$	55,300
	Purchased technology		239,775			198,463
	Customer lists		1,182,152			1,037,689
	Other acquired intangibles		20,270			28,304
			1,495,671			1,319,756
	Accumulated amortization:
	Patents		(35,004	)		(34,692	)
	Purchased technology		(63,078	)		(51,369	)
	Customer lists		(243,169	)		(191,170	)
	Other acquired intangibles		(26,349	)		(24,487	)
			(367,600	)		(301,718	)
	Net intangible assets subject to amortization		1,128,071			1,018,038
	Indefinite-lived intangible assets (not subject to amortization):
	Trademarks and trade names		497,490			455,888
		$	1,625,561		$	1,473,926

Other_Consolidated_Balance_She1

Other Consolidated Balance Sheet Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Text Block [Abstract]
Other Consolidated Balance Sheet Information
		December 31,
		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	INVENTORIES
	Finished goods and parts	$	80,307		$	76,086
	Work in process		94,298			85,518
	Raw materials and purchased parts		321,291			291,244
		$	495,896		$	452,848
	PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
	Land	$	38,340		$	35,395
	Buildings		281,336			254,248
	Machinery and equipment		793,580			754,654
			1,113,256			1,044,297
	Less: Accumulated depreciation		(664,810	)		(641,507	)
		$	448,446		$	402,790
	ACCRUED LIABILITIES
	Employee compensation and benefits	$	94,478		$	87,656
	Product warranty obligation		29,764			28,036
	Severance and lease termination		14,864			7,653
	Other		97,473			90,240
		$	236,579		$	213,585
		2014			2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	ALLOWANCES FOR POSSIBLE LOSSES ON ACCOUNTS AND NOTES RECEIVABLE
	Balance at the beginning of the year	$	9,547		$	10,754		$	7,840
	Additions charged to expense		2,974			1,939			3,569
	Recoveries credited to allowance		—			—			33
	Write-offs		(2,243	)		(3,503	)		(813	)
	Currency translation adjustments and other		168			357			125
	Balance at the end of the year	$	10,446		$	9,547		$	10,754

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Components of Income before Income Taxes and Details of Provision for Income Taxes	The components of income before income taxes and the details of the provision for income taxes were as follows for the years ended December 31:
		2014			2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Income before income taxes:
	Domestic	$	495,516		$	443,278		$	438,742
	Foreign		309,316			281,517			223,733
	Total	$	804,832		$	724,795		$	662,475
	Provision for income taxes:
	Current:
	Federal	$	128,635		$	133,574		$	135,598
	Foreign		60,606			64,077			50,511
	State		12,461			13,083			18,415
	Total current		201,702			210,734			204,524
	Deferred:
	Federal		19,870			7,899			6,038
	Foreign		1,552			(3,592	)		(6,598	)
	State		(2,752	)		(7,245	)		(621	)
	Total deferred		18,670			(2,938	)		(1,181	)
	Total provision	$	220,372		$	207,796		$	203,343
Components of Deferred Tax (Asset) Liability	Significant components of the deferred tax (asset) liability were as follows at December 31:
		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Current deferred tax (asset) liability:
	Reserves not currently deductible	$	(32,552	)	$	(22,727	)
	Share-based compensation		(6,871	)		(4,264	)
	Net operating loss carryforwards		(3,570	)		(3,859	)
	Foreign tax credit carryforwards		(42	)		—
	Other		(467	)		(5,233	)
			(43,502	)		(36,083	)
	Portion included in other current liabilities		(1,551	)		(2,732	)
	Gross current deferred tax asset		(45,053	)		(38,815	)
	Noncurrent deferred tax (asset) liability:
	Differences in basis of property and accelerated depreciation		47,345			31,861
	Reserves not currently deductible		(29,514	)		(24,417	)
	Pensions		16,025			33,538
	Differences in basis of intangible assets and accelerated amortization		586,960			528,139
	Net operating loss carryforwards		(7,200	)		(2,795	)
	Share-based compensation		(10,858	)		(9,297	)
	Foreign tax credit carryforwards		(2,157	)		—
	Other		546			(3,578	)
			601,147			553,451
	Less: Valuation allowance		7,708			1,911
			608,855			555,362
	Portion included in noncurrent assets		9,530			3,193
	Gross noncurrent deferred tax liability		618,385			558,555
	Net deferred tax liability	$	573,332		$	519,740
Reconciliation of Effective Tax Rate to U.S. Federal Statutory Rate	The Company’s effective tax rate reconciles to the U.S. Federal statutory rate as follows for the years ended December 31:
		2014			2013			2012
	U.S. Federal statutory rate		35	%		35	%		35	%
	State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit		0.9			1			1.8
	Foreign operations, net		(6.1	)		(5.8	)		(5.1	)
	U.S. Manufacturing deduction and credits		(2.2	)		(1.8	)		(2.0	)
	Other		(0.2	)		0.3			1
	Consolidated effective tax rate		27.4	%		28.7	%		30.7	%
Reconciliation of Liability for Uncertain Tax Positions	The following is a reconciliation of the liability for uncertain tax positions at December 31:
		2014			2013			2012
		(In millions)
	Balance at the beginning of the year	$	55.2		$	36.2		$	28.5
	Additions for tax positions related to the current year		10.7			11.7			4.3
	Additions for tax positions of prior years		16.8			15.1			6
	Reductions for tax positions of prior years		(1.7	)		(1.8	)		(0.8	)
	Reductions related to settlements with taxing authorities		(0.4	)		(2.5	)		—
	Reductions due to statute expirations		(8.9	)		(3.5	)		(1.8	)
	Balance at the end of the year	$	71.7		$	55.2		$	36.2

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-term Debt	Long-term debt consisted of the following at December 31:
		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	U.S. dollar 6.59% senior notes due September 2015	$	90,000		$	90,000
	U.S. dollar 6.69% senior notes due December 2015		35,000			35,000
	U.S. dollar 6.20% senior notes due December 2017		270,000			270,000
	U.S. dollar 6.35% senior notes due July 2018		80,000			80,000
	U.S. dollar 7.08% senior notes due September 2018		160,000			160,000
	U.S. dollar 7.18% senior notes due December 2018		65,000			65,000
	U.S. dollar 6.30% senior notes due December 2019		100,000			100,000
	U.S. dollar 3.73% senior notes due September 2024		300,000			—
	U.S. dollar 3.83% senior notes due September 2026		100,000			—
	U.S. dollar 3.98% senior notes due September 2029		100,000			—
	British pound 5.99% senior note due November 2016		62,249			66,303
	British pound 4.68% senior note due September 2020		124,494			132,592
	Euro 3.94% senior note due August 2015		60,790			68,880
	Swiss franc 2.44% senior note due December 2021		55,600			61,754
	Revolving credit loan		88,100			268,329
	Other, principally foreign		22,793			17,207
	Total debt		1,714,026			1,415,065
	Less: Current portion		(286,201	)		(273,315	)
	Total long-term debt	$	1,427,825		$	1,141,750

ShareBased_Compensation_Tables

Share-Based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Weighted Average Assumptions Used for Estimating Fair Values of Stock Options Granted	The following weighted average assumptions were used in the Black-Scholes-Merton model to estimate the fair values of stock options granted during the years indicated:
		2014			2013			2012
	Expected volatility		23.9	%		28.1	%		28.4	%
	Expected term (years)		5			5			5.1
	Risk-free interest rate		1.63	%		0.75	%		0.84	%
	Expected dividend yield		0.45	%		0.57	%		0.47	%
	Black-Scholes-Merton fair value per stock option granted	$	12.21		$	10.17		$	8.54
Total Share-Based Compensation Expense	Total share-based compensation expense was as follows for the years ended December 31:
		2014			2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Stock option expense	$	9,130		$	10,776		$	9,437
	Restricted stock expense		10,741			10,815			9,947
	Total pre-tax expense		19,871			21,591			19,384
	Related tax benefit		(6,154	)		(6,964	)		(6,518	)
	Reduction of net income	$	13,717		$	14,627		$	12,866
Summary of Stock Option Activity and Related Information	The following is a summary of the Company’s stock option activity and related information for the year ended December 31, 2014:
		Shares			Weighted			Weighted			Aggregate
					Average			Average			Intrinsic
					Exercise			Remaining			Value
					Price			Contractual
								Life
		(In thousands)						(Years)			(In millions)
	Outstanding at the beginning of the year		6,394		$	27.13
	Granted		976			53.13
	Exercised		(846	)		21.93
	Forfeited		(161	)		40.16
	Expired		(1	)		48.98
	Outstanding at the end of the year		6,362		$	31.47			3.6		$	135.1
	Exercisable at the end of the year		3,827		$	23.55			2.5		$	111.3
Summary of Nonvested Stock Option Activity and Related Information	The following is a summary of the Company’s nonvested stock option activity and related information for the year ended December 31, 2014:
		Shares			Weighted
					Average
					Grant  Date
					Fair Value
		(In thousands)
	Nonvested stock options outstanding at the beginning of the year		2,880		$	8.65
	Granted		976			12.21
	Vested		(1,160	)		7.7
	Forfeited		(161	)		9.75
	Nonvested stock options outstanding at the end of the year		2,535		$	10.38
Summary of Nonvested Restricted Stock Activity and Related Information	The following is a summary of the Company’s nonvested restricted stock activity and related information for the year ended December 31, 2014:
		Shares			Weighted
					Average
					Grant  Date
					Fair Value
		(In thousands)
	Nonvested restricted stock outstanding at the beginning of the year		987		$	36.12
	Granted		319			52.79
	Vested		(104	)		34.28
	Forfeited		(97	)		38.41
	Nonvested restricted stock outstanding at the end of the year		1,105		$	41.08

Retirement_Plans_and_Other_Pos1

Retirement Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Net Projected Benefit Obligation and Fair Value of Plan Assets for Funded and Unfunded Defined Benefit Plans	The following tables set forth the changes in net projected benefit obligation and the fair value of plan assets for the funded and unfunded defined benefit plans for the years ended December 31:
	U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans:
			2014			2013
			(In thousands)
	Change in projected benefit obligation:
	Net projected benefit obligation at the beginning of the year		$	428,675		$	473,891
	Service cost			3,208			3,918
	Interest cost			21,000			18,889
	Actuarial losses (gains)			65,417			(41,305	)
	Gross benefits paid			(26,927	)		(26,718	)
	Net projected benefit obligation at the end of the year		$	491,373		$	428,675
	Change in plan assets:
	Fair value of plan assets at the beginning of the year		$	518,388		$	476,465
	Actual return on plan assets			7,094			68,049
	Employer contributions			368			592
	Gross benefits paid			(26,927	)		(26,718	)
	Fair value of plan assets at the end of the year		$	498,923		$	518,388
	Foreign Defined Benefit Pension Plans:
			2014			2013
			(In thousands)
	Change in projected benefit obligation:
	Net projected benefit obligation at the beginning of the year		$	185,178		$	170,180
	Service cost			2,945			2,405
	Interest cost			7,931			7,112
	Foreign currency translation adjustment			(15,961	)		4,823
	Employee contributions			339			344
	Actuarial losses			23,903			6,304
	Gross benefits paid			(6,664	)		(6,002	)
	Plan amendments			—			12
	Net projected benefit obligation at the end of the year		$	197,671		$	185,178
	Change in plan assets:
	Fair value of plan assets at the beginning of the year		$	165,420		$	143,398
	Actual return on plan assets			6,628			18,341
	Employer contributions			5,361			5,264
	Employee contributions			339			344
	Foreign currency translation adjustment			(11,177	)		4,075
	Gross benefits paid			(6,664	)		(6,002	)
	Fair value of plan assets at the end of the year		$	159,907		$	165,420
Accumulated Benefit Obligation ("ABO")	The accumulated benefit obligation consisted of the following at December 31:
	U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans:
			2014			2013
			(In thousands)
	Funded plans		$	471,960		$	412,797
	Unfunded plans			5,915			5,274
	Total		$	477,875		$	418,071
	Foreign Defined Benefit Pension Plans:
			2014			2013
			(In thousands)
	Funded plans		$	154,200		$	142,623
	Unfunded plans			32,845			28,759
	Total		$	187,045		$	171,382
Defined Benefit Plan, Plans with Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets	The projected benefit obligation, accumulated benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets for pension plans with a projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets and pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets were as follows at December 31:
	U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans:
			Projected Benefit						Accumulated Benefit
			Obligation Exceeds						Obligation Exceeds
			Fair Value of Assets						Fair Value of Assets
			2014			2013			2014			2013
			(In thousands)
	Benefit obligation		$	25,790		$	5,274		$	25,790		$	5,274
	Fair value of plan assets			17,182			—			17,182			—
	Foreign Defined Benefit Pension Plans:
			Projected Benefit						Accumulated Benefit
			Obligation Exceeds						Obligation Exceeds
			Fair Value of Assets						Fair Value of Assets
			2014			2013			2014			2013
			(In thousands)
	Benefit obligation		$	111,095		$	101,166		$	104,196		$	33,386
	Fair value of plan assets			63,496			65,948			63,496			3,872
Funded Status of Plan and Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet	The following table provides the amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31:
			2014			2013
			(In thousands)
	Funded status asset (liability):
	Fair value of plan assets		$	658,830		$	683,808
	Projected benefit obligation			(689,044	)		(613,853	)
	Funded status at the end of the year		$	(30,214	)	$	69,955
	Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet consisted of:
	Noncurrent asset for pension benefits (other assets)		$	25,993		$	110,447
	Current liabilities for pension benefits			(1,139	)		(2,114	)
	Noncurrent liability for pension benefits			(55,068	)		(38,378	)
	Net amount recognized at the end of the year		$	(30,214	)	$	69,955
Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Taxes	The following table provides the amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of taxes, at December 31:
	Net amounts recognized:		2014			2013
			(In thousands)
	Net actuarial loss		$	143,380		$	65,610
	Prior service costs			(1,407	)		(1,551	)
	Transition asset			9			9
	Total recognized		$	141,982		$	64,068
Components of Net Periodic Pension Benefit Expense (Income)	The following table provides the components of net periodic pension benefit expense (income) for the years ended December 31:
			2014			2013			2012
			(In thousands)
	Defined benefit plans:
	Service cost		$	6,153		$	6,323		$	5,201
	Interest cost			28,931			26,000			27,620
	Expected return on plan assets			(50,196	)		(45,008	)		(42,758	)
	Amortization of:
	Net actuarial loss			4,483			13,484			12,161
	Prior service costs			(51	)		(35	)		60
	Transition asset			1			(1	)		(22	)
	Total net periodic benefit (income) expense			(10,679	)		763			2,262
	Other plans:
	Defined contribution plans			20,714			18,195			17,754
	Foreign plans and other			5,325			5,151			4,936
	Total other plans			26,039			23,346			22,690
	Total net pension expense		$	15,360		$	24,109		$	24,952
United States Pension Plan of US Entity [Member]
Weighted Average Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligations	Weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at December 31:
			2014			2013
	U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans:
	Discount rate			4.2	%		5	%
	Rate of compensation increase (where applicable)			3.75	%		3.75	%
	Foreign Defined Benefit Pension Plans:
	Discount rate			3.44	%		4.38	%
	Rate of compensation increase (where applicable)			2.88	%		2.92	%
U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	The following is a summary of the fair value of plan assets for U.S. plans at December 31, 2014 and 2013.
			December 31, 2014									December 31, 2013
	Asset Class		Total			Level 1			Level 2			Total		Level 1		Level 2
			(In thousands)
	Cash and temporary investments		$	2,413		$	—		$	2,413		$	3,589	$	—	$	3,589
	Equity securities:
	AMETEK common stock			26,979			26,979			—			29,016		29,016		—
	U.S. Small cap common stocks			31,629			31,629			—			33,229		33,229		—
	U.S. Large cap common stocks			105,288			67,484			37,804			99,211		65,737		33,474
	Diversified common stocks — Global			93,558			—			93,558			94,901		—		94,901
	Fixed-income securities and other:
	U.S. Corporate			24,162			7,290			16,872			22,732		8,230		14,502
	U.S. Government			4,917			3,840			1,077			2,984		2,058		926
	Global asset allocation(1)			187,202			111,860			75,342			186,350		112,965		73,385
	Inflation related funds			13,729			—			13,729			34,213		—		34,213
	Alternative investments:
	Inflation related pooled investment fund			9,046			—			—			12,163		—		—
	Total investments		$	498,923		$	249,082		$	240,795		$	518,388	$	251,235	$	254,990
	-1	This asset class was invested in diversified companies in all geographical regions.
Summary of Changes in Fair Value of U.S. Plans' Investments Using Significant Unobservable Inputs	The following is a summary of the changes in the fair value of the U.S. plans’ level 3 investments (fair value using significant unobservable inputs):
			Alternative
			Investments
			(In thousands)
	Balance, December 31, 2012		$	20,543
	Actual return on assets:
	Unrealized gains relating to instruments still held at the end of the year			(206	)
	Realized gains (losses) relating to assets sold during the year			840
	Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net			(9,014	)
	Balance, December 31, 2013			12,163
	Actual return on assets:
	Unrealized (losses) relating to instruments still held at the end of the year			(3,117	)
	Realized gains relating to assets sold during the year			—
	Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net			—
	Balance, December 31, 2014		$	9,046
Foreign Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	The following is a summary of the fair value of plan assets for foreign defined benefit pension plans at December 31, 2014 and 2013.
			December 31, 2014						December 31, 2013
	Asset Class		Total			Level 2			Total			Level 2
			(In thousands)
	Cash		$	5,153		$	5,153		$	5,028		$	5,028
	U.S. Mutual equity funds			15,400			15,400			14,408			14,408
	Foreign mutual equity funds			94,444			94,444			103,132			103,132
	Real estate			4,032			4,032			3,502			3,502
	Mutual bond funds — Global			31,990			31,990			25,379			25,379
	Life insurance			8,888			—			13,971			—
	Total investments		$	159,907		$	151,019		$	165,420		$	151,449
Summary of Changes in Fair Value of U.S. Plans' Investments Using Significant Unobservable Inputs	The following is a summary of the changes in the fair value of the foreign plans’ level 3 investments (fair value determined using significant unobservable inputs):
			Life Insurance
			(In thousands)
	Balance, December 31, 2012		$	15,112
	Actual return on assets:
	Unrealized (losses) relating to instruments still held at the end of the year			(1,141	)
	Realized gains (losses) relating to assets sold during the year			—
	Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net			—
	Balance, December 31, 2013			13,971
	Actual return on assets:
	Unrealized (losses) relating to instruments still held at the end of the year			(5,083	)
	Realized gains (losses) relating to assets sold during the year			—
	Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net			—
	Balance, December 31, 2014		$	8,888
Net Periodic Pension Benefit Expense [Member]
Weighted Average Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligations	The following weighted average assumptions were used to determine the above net periodic pension benefit expense for the years ended December 31:
			2014			2013			2012
	U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans:
	Discount rate			5	%		4.1	%		5	%
	Expected return on plan assets			7.75	%		7.75	%		8	%
	Rate of compensation increase (where applicable)			3.75	%		3.75	%		3.75	%
	Foreign Defined Benefit Pension Plans:
	Discount rate			4.38	%		4.44	%		5.22	%
	Expected return on plan assets			6.93	%		6.91	%		6.96	%
	Rate of compensation increase (where applicable)			2.92	%		2.89	%		2.97	%

Guarantees_Tables

Guarantees (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Guarantees [Abstract]
Changes in Accrued Product Warranty Obligation	Changes in the accrued product warranty obligation were as follows at December 31:
		2014			2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Balance at the beginning of the year	$	28,036		$	27,792		$	22,466
	Accruals for warranties issued during the year		10,515			8,588			10,089
	Settlements made during the year		(11,688	)		(10,484	)		(10,602	)
	Warranty accruals related to acquired businesses and other during the year		2,901			2,140			5,839
	Balance at the end of the year	$	29,764		$	28,036		$	27,792

Reportable_Segments_and_Geogra1

Reportable Segments and Geographic Areas Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Reportable Segment Financial Information	Reportable Segment Financial Information
			2014			2013			2012
			(In thousands)
	Net sales(1):
	Electronic Instruments		$	2,421,638		$	2,034,594		$	1,872,557
	Electromechanical			1,600,326			1,559,542			1,461,656
	Consolidated net sales		$	4,021,964		$	3,594,136		$	3,334,213
	Operating income and income before income taxes:
	Segment operating income(2):
	Electronic Instruments		$	612,992		$	552,110		$	497,116
	Electromechanical			335,046			309,402			292,205
	Total segment operating income			948,038			861,512			789,321
	Corporate administrative and other expenses			(49,452	)		(46,433	)		(43,449	)
	Consolidated operating income			898,586			815,079			745,872
	Interest and other expenses, net			(93,754	)		(90,284	)		(83,397	)
	Consolidated income before income taxes		$	804,832		$	724,795		$	662,475
	Assets:
	Electronic Instruments		$	3,752,247		$	3,166,917
	Electromechanical			2,366,083			2,419,059
	Total segment assets			6,118,330			5,585,976
	Corporate			302,633			291,926
	Consolidated assets		$	6,420,963		$	5,877,902
	Additions to property, plant and equipment(3):
	Electronic Instruments		$	95,787		$	37,597		$	39,400
	Electromechanical			35,404			35,025			67,935
	Total segment additions to property, plant and equipment			131,191			72,622			107,335
	Corporate			1,966			3,021			1,840
	Consolidated additions to property, plant and equipment		$	133,157		$	75,643		$	109,175
	Depreciation and amortization:
	Electronic Instruments		$	75,364		$	57,808		$	50,473
	Electromechanical			61,770			59,988			54,406
	Total segment depreciation and amortization			137,134			117,796			104,879
	Corporate			1,450			861			592
	Consolidated depreciation and amortization		$	138,584		$	118,657		$	105,471
	-1	After elimination of intra- and intersegment sales, which are not significant in amount.
	-2	Segment operating income represents net sales less all direct costs and expenses (including certain administrative and other expenses) applicable to each segment, but does not include interest expense.
	-3	Includes $61.8 million in 2014, $12.3 million in 2013 and $51.7 million in 2012 from acquired businesses.
Information about Company's Operations in Different Geographic Areas	Information about the Company’s operations in different geographic areas for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 is shown below. Net sales were attributed to geographic areas based on the location of the customer. Accordingly, U.S. export sales are reported in international sales.
			2014			2013			2012
			(In thousands)
	Net sales:
	United States		$	1,825,799		$	1,609,661		$	1,626,577
	International(1):
	United Kingdom			220,877			201,543			189,704
	European Union countries			674,608			627,116			526,193
	Asia			806,926			679,490			620,456
	Other foreign countries			493,754			476,326			371,283
	Total international			2,196,165			1,984,475			1,707,636
	Total consolidated		$	4,021,964		$	3,594,136		$	3,334,213
	Long-lived assets from continuing operations (excluding intangible assets):
	United States		$	289,080		$	233,844
	International(2):
	United Kingdom			34,736			37,080
	European Union countries			76,542			84,812
	Asia			22,314			21,003
	Other foreign countries			25,774			26,051
	Total international			159,366			168,946
	Total consolidated		$	448,446		$	402,790
	-1	Includes U.S. export sales of $1,148.1 million in 2014, $1,037.0 million in 2013 and $862.6 million in 2012.
	-2	Represents long-lived assets of foreign-based operations only.

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Table

Quarterly Financial Data (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Quarterly Financial Data
			First		Second		Third		Fourth		Total Year
			Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter
			(In thousands, except per share amounts)
	2014
	Net sales		$	975,292	$	990,718	$	1,031,811	$	1,024,143	$	4,021,964
	Operating income		$	221,631	$	231,728	$	218,143	$	227,084	$	898,586
	Net income		$	140,586	$	150,063	$	141,811	$	152,000	$	584,460
	Basic earnings per share*		$	0.57	$	0.61	$	0.58	$	0.62	$	2.39
	Diluted earnings per share*		$	0.57	$	0.61	$	0.57	$	0.62	$	2.37
	Dividends paid per share*		$	0.06	$	0.09	$	0.09	$	0.09	$	0.33
	2013
	Net sales		$	882,853	$	878,809	$	890,006	$	942,468	$	3,594,136
	Operating income		$	197,235	$	202,613	$	204,686	$	210,545	$	815,079
	Net income		$	125,146	$	128,321	$	127,864	$	135,668	$	516,999
	Basic earnings per share*		$	0.51	$	0.53	$	0.52	$	0.55	$	2.12
	Diluted earnings per share*		$	0.51	$	0.52	$	0.52	$	0.55	$	2.1
	Dividends paid per share*		$	0.06	$	0.06	$	0.06	$	0.06	$	0.24
	*	The sum of quarterly earnings per share may not equal total year earnings per share due to rounding of earnings per share amounts, and differences in weighted average shares and equivalent shares outstanding for each of the periods presented.

Significant_Accounting_Policie3

Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Maturity period of liquid investments	Three months or less
Aggregate market value of fixed-income mutual fund	$9,200,000	$8,200,000
Amortized cost of investment	9,900,000	8,600,000
Allowance for possible losses on receivables	10,446,000	9,547,000	10,754,000	7,840,000
Percentage of FIFO method of inventory in total inventory	80.00%
Percentage of LIFO method of inventory in total inventory	20.00%
Excess of the FIFO value over the LIFO value	24,400,000	23,300,000
Investments in owned subsidiaries	100.00%	100.00%
Accrual for future warranty obligations	29,764,000	28,036,000	27,792,000	22,466,000
Expense for warranty obligations	10,515,000	8,588,000	10,089,000
Product warranty period	1 year
Research and development costs	119,300,000	93,900,000	84,900,000
Shipping and handling costs	$49,000,000	$41,900,000	$39,000,000
Patents and Technology [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Weighted average life	16 years
Patents and Technology [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Useful life, maximum	4 years
Patents and Technology [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Useful life, maximum	20 years
Customer Relationships [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Weighted average life	19 years
Customer Relationships [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Useful life, maximum	5 years
Customer Relationships [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Useful life, maximum	20 years
Other Acquired Intangibles [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Useful life, maximum	3 years
Other Acquired Intangibles [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Useful life, maximum	20 years
Machinery and Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Range of lives for depreciable assets, maximum	3 years
Machinery and Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Range of lives for depreciable assets, maximum	10 years
Leasehold Improvements [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Range of lives for depreciable assets, maximum	5 years
Leasehold Improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Range of lives for depreciable assets, maximum	27 years
Building [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Range of lives for depreciable assets, maximum	25 years
Building [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Range of lives for depreciable assets, maximum	50 years

Significant_Accounting_Policie4

Significant Accounting Policies - Number of Weighted Average Shares (Detail)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Weighted average shares:
Basic shares	244,885	243,915	241,512
Equity-based compensation plans	2,217	2,150	2,474
Diluted shares	247,102	246,065	243,986

Fair_Value_Measurement_Fair_Va

Fair Value Measurement - Fair Value of Assets Measured on Recurring Basis (Detail) (Recurring [Member], USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fixed-income investments	$9,219	$8,234

Fair_Value_Measurement_Additio

Fair Value Measurement - Additional Information (Detail)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
	USD ($)	Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	Foreign Currency Forward Contract [Member]	Foreign Currency Forward Contract [Member]	Foreign Currency Forward Contract [Member]	Foreign Currency Forward Contract [Member]	Foreign Currency Forward Contract [Member]	Foreign Currency Forward Contract [Member]
		Euro Forward Contracts [Member]	Swiss Franc Forward Contract [Member]	Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
		ForwardContracts	ForwardContracts	USD ($)	Euro Forward Contracts [Member]	Euro Forward Contracts [Member]	Euro Forward Contracts [Member]	Swiss Franc Forward Contract [Member]	Swiss Franc Forward Contract [Member]
					EUR (€)	USD ($)	EUR (€)	USD ($)	CHF
Derivative [Line Items]
Transfers between level 1 and level 2 investments	$0
Number of forward contracts		2	1
Forward contracts outstanding					0		21,700,000		61,000,000
Forward contracts fair value unrealized gain (loss)						-28,000		-511,000
Realized gains (losses) on foreign currency forward contracts				$100,000

Fair_Value_Measurement_Fair_Va1

Fair Value Measurement - Fair Value Disclosures of Financial Instrument Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Recorded Amount [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term borrowings	($88,100)	($268,764)
Long-term debt (including current portion)	-1,625,926	-1,146,301
Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term borrowings	-88,100	-268,764
Long-term debt (including current portion)	($1,768,439)	($1,290,466)

Hedging_Activities_Additional_

Hedging Activities - Additional Information (Detail) (Foreign Exchange Contract [Member], Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Derivative [Line Items]
Percentage of effectiveness on net investment hedges	100.00%
Currency remeasurement gains (losses)	$20.20	($6.80)
British-Pound-Denominated Loans [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedge against net investment in foreign subsidiaries	186.7	198.9
Euro-Denominated Loans [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedge against net investment in foreign subsidiaries	$60.80	$68.90

Acquisitions_Additional_Inform

Acquisitions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Total other intangible assets acquired	$270.70
Indefinite-lived intangible trademarks and trade names acquired	52.7
Finite-lived intangible assets acquired	218
Future amortization expense, 2015	78.6
Future amortization expense, 2016	78.6
Future amortization expense, 2017	78.6
Future amortization expense, 2018	78.6
Future amortization expense, 2019	78.6
Trade Names [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets acquired	0.8
Amortization period for finite-lived intangible asset	10 years
Customer Relationships [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets acquired	170.6
Customer Relationships [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization period for finite-lived intangible asset	5 years
Customer Relationships [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization period for finite-lived intangible asset	20 years
Purchased Technology [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets acquired	46.6
Purchased Technology [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization period for finite-lived intangible asset	15 years
Purchased Technology [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization period for finite-lived intangible asset	18 years
Teseq Group, VTI Instruments, Luphos GmbH, Zygo Corporation and Amptek,Inc. [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amount of cash paid for acquisitions	573.6
Goodwill recorded in connection with acquisitions	6.3
Total other intangible assets acquired	270.7
Future amortization expense, 2015	12.3
Future amortization expense, 2016	12.3
Future amortization expense, 2017	12.3
Future amortization expense, 2018	12.3
Future amortization expense, 2019	12.3
Cost of acquisition	573.6
Controls Southeast [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost of acquisition		414.3
O ' Brien Corporation [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost of acquisition			$747.70

Acquisitions_Allocation_of_Agg

Acquisitions - Allocation of Aggregate Purchase Price of Acquired Net Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	$2,614,030,000	$2,408,363,000	$2,208,200,000
Other intangible assets	270,700,000
Teseq Group, VTI Instruments, Luphos GmbH, Zygo Corporation and Amptek,Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment	61,800,000
Goodwill	272,100,000
Other intangible assets	270,700,000
Deferred income taxes	-64,500,000
Net working capital and other	33,500,000
Total purchase price	$573,600,000

Acquisitions_Allocation_of_Agg1

Acquisitions - Allocation of Aggregate Purchase Price of Acquired Net Assets (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Accounts receivable included in purchase price	$33.90

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Changes in Carrying Amounts of Goodwill by Segment (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, beginning balance	$2,408,363,000	$2,208,200,000
Goodwill acquired	272,100,000	213,500,000
Purchase price allocation adjustments and other	-400,000	-31,500,000
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-66,100,000	18,200,000
Goodwill, ending balance	2,614,030,000	2,408,363,000
Electronic Instruments Group [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, beginning balance	1,410,800,000	1,215,000,000
Goodwill acquired	272,100,000	213,500,000
Purchase price allocation adjustments and other	-400,000	-25,500,000
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-35,800,000	7,800,000
Goodwill, ending balance	1,646,700,000	1,410,800,000
Electromechanical Group [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, beginning balance	997,600,000	993,200,000
Purchase price allocation adjustments and other		-6,000,000
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-30,300,000	10,400,000
Goodwill, ending balance	$967,300,000	$997,600,000

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_3

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Other Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived intangible assets (subject to amortization)	$1,495,671	$1,319,756
Accumulated amortization	-367,600	-301,718
Net intangible assets subject to amortization	1,128,071	1,018,038
Total	1,625,561	1,473,926
Trademarks and Trade Names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets (not subject to amortization)	497,490	455,888
Patents [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived intangible assets (subject to amortization)	53,474	55,300
Accumulated amortization	-35,004	-34,692
Purchased Technology [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived intangible assets (subject to amortization)	239,775	198,463
Accumulated amortization	-63,078	-51,369
Customer Lists [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived intangible assets (subject to amortization)	1,182,152	1,037,689
Accumulated amortization	-243,169	-191,170
Other Acquired Intangibles [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived intangible assets (subject to amortization)	20,270	28,304
Accumulated amortization	($26,349)	($24,487)

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_4

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Amortization expense	$74.90	$61.50	$51.80
Future amortization expense, 2015	78.6
Future amortization expense, 2016	78.6
Future amortization expense, 2017	78.6
Future amortization expense, 2018	78.6
Future amortization expense, 2019	$78.60

Other_Consolidated_Balance_She2

Other Consolidated Balance Sheet Information - Other Consolidated Balance Sheet Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
INVENTORIES
Finished goods and parts	$80,307	$76,086
Work in process	94,298	85,518
Raw materials and purchased parts	321,291	291,244
Total inventories	495,896	452,848
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Land	38,340	35,395
Buildings	281,336	254,248
Machinery and equipment	793,580	754,654
Property, plant and equipment, gross	1,113,256	1,044,297
Less: Accumulated depreciation	-664,810	-641,507
Property, plant and equipment, Net	448,446	402,790
ACCRUED LIABILITIES
Employee compensation and benefits	94,478	87,656
Product warranty obligation	29,764	28,036	27,792	22,466
Severance and lease termination	14,864	7,653
Other	97,473	90,240
Total accrued liabilities	236,579	213,585
ALLOWANCES FOR POSSIBLE LOSSES ON ACCOUNTS AND NOTES RECEIVABLE
Balance at the beginning of the year	9,547	10,754	7,840
Additions charged to expense	2,974	1,939	3,569
Recoveries credited to allowance			33
Write-offs	-2,243	-3,503	-813
Currency translation adjustments and other	168	357	125
Balance at the end of the year	$10,446	$9,547	$10,754

Income_Taxes_Components_of_Inc

Income Taxes - Components of Income before Income Taxes and Details of Provision for Income Taxes (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income before income taxes:
Domestic	$495,516	$443,278	$438,742
Foreign	309,316	281,517	223,733
Income before income taxes	804,832	724,795	662,475
Current:
Federal	128,635	133,574	135,598
Foreign	60,606	64,077	50,511
State	12,461	13,083	18,415
Total current	201,702	210,734	204,524
Deferred:
Federal	19,870	7,899	6,038
Foreign	1,552	-3,592	-6,598
State	-2,752	-7,245	-621
Total deferred	18,670	-2,938	-1,181
Total provision	$220,372	$207,796	$203,343

Income_Taxes_Components_of_Def

Income Taxes - Components of Deferred Tax (Asset) Liability (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred tax (asset) liability:
Gross current deferred tax asset	($43,502)	($36,083)
Portion included in other current liabilities	-1,551	-2,732
Net current deferred tax asset	-45,053	-38,815
Net operating loss carryforwards	-10,800
Noncurrent deferred tax (asset) liability	601,147	553,451
Less: Valuation allowance	7,708	1,911
Gross noncurrent deferred tax liability	608,855	555,362
Portion included in noncurrent assets	9,530	3,193
Net noncurrent deferred tax liability	618,385	558,555
Net deferred tax liability	573,332	519,740
Current [Member]
Deferred tax (asset) liability:
Reserves not currently deductible	-32,552	-22,727
Net operating loss carryforwards	-3,570	-3,859
Share-based compensation	-6,871	-4,264
Foreign tax credit carryforwards	-42
Other	-467	-5,233
Non Current [Member]
Deferred tax (asset) liability:
Differences in basis of property and accelerated depreciation	47,345	31,861
Reserves not currently deductible	-29,514	-24,417
Pensions	16,025	33,538
Differences in basis of intangible assets and accelerated amortization	586,960	528,139
Net operating loss carryforwards	-7,200	-2,795
Share-based compensation	-10,858	-9,297
Foreign tax credit carryforwards	-2,157
Other	$546	($3,578)

Income_Taxes_Reconciliation_of

Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Effective Tax Rate to U.S. Federal Statutory Rate (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
U.S. Federal statutory rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit	0.90%	1.00%	1.80%
Foreign operations, net	-6.10%	-5.80%	-5.10%
U.S. Manufacturing deduction and credits	-2.20%	-1.80%	-2.00%
Other	-0.20%	0.30%	1.00%
Consolidated effective tax rate	27.40%	28.70%	30.70%

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 19, 2014	Jan. 02, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Research and development tax credit extension period	1 year	2 years
Undistributed earnings of certain other subsidiaries			$993,200,000	$854,800,000
Provision for deferred income tax			18,670,000	-2,938,000	-1,181,000
Net operating loss carryforwards			10,800,000
Tax benefits related to tax credit carryforwards			11,300,000
Tax credit carryforwards			2,200,000
Valuation allowance			5,800,000
Gross unrecognized tax benefits			71,700,000	55,200,000	36,200,000	28,500,000
The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that would impact tax rate, if recognized			61,100,000	50,900,000
Interest and penalties accrued related to uncertain tax positions			11,100,000	8,600,000
Expense (income) of interest and penalties			2,500,000	400,000	1,000,000
Period between open tax years subject to tax audit			Three and six years
Additions of tax, interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions			35,000,000	29,700,000
Tax and interest related to statute expirations and settlement of prior uncertain positions reversed			16,000,000	10,300,000
Amount of tax, interest and penalties classified as a noncurrent liability			56,500,000
Amount of tax, interest and penalties previously classified as a noncurrent liability			8,800,000
Decrease of income tax expense			-1,900,000
Amount of tax, interest and penalties classified as a current liability			14,900,000
Settlement period of uncertain tax positions			12 months
Federal [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Operating loss carryforwards			1,700,000
Operating loss carryforwards valuation allowance			0
Tax credit carryforwards			4,700,000
Tax credit carryforwards valuation allowance			700,000
State [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Operating loss carryforwards			4,300,000
Operating loss carryforwards valuation allowance			0
Tax credit carryforwards			3,100,000
Tax credit carryforwards valuation allowance			300,000
Foreign [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Operating loss carryforwards			4,800,000
Operating loss carryforwards valuation allowance			3,300,000
Tax credit carryforwards			3,500,000
Tax credit carryforwards valuation allowance			3,400,000
United States [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Provision for deferred income tax			0	0
United States [Member] | Foreign [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Undistributed earnings of certain other subsidiaries			$7,500,000	$2,400,000
Minimum [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Expiration period for operating loss carryforwards			31-Dec-15
Expiration period for tax credit carryforwards			31-Dec-15
Maximum [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Expiration period for operating loss carryforwards			31-Dec-34
Expiration period for tax credit carryforwards			31-Dec-34

Income_Taxes_Reconciliation_of1

Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Liability for Uncertain Tax Positions (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Balance at the beginning of the year	$55.20	$36.20	$28.50
Additions for tax positions related to the current year	10.7	11.7	4.3
Additions for tax positions of prior years	16.8	15.1	6
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	-1.7	-1.8	-0.8
Reductions related to settlements with taxing authorities	-0.4	-2.5
Reductions due to statute expirations	-8.9	-3.5	-1.8
Balance at the end of the year	$71.70	$55.20	$36.20

Debt_Longterm_Debt_Detail

Debt - Long-term Debt (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	$1,714,026	$1,415,065
Less: Current portion	-286,201	-273,315
Total long-term debt	1,427,825	1,141,750
Total debt	1,714,026	1,415,065
6.59% Senior Notes Due September 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	90,000	90,000
Total debt	90,000	90,000
6.69% Senior Notes Due December 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	35,000	35,000
Total debt	35,000	35,000
6.20% Senior Notes Due December 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	270,000	270,000
Total debt	270,000	270,000
6.35% Senior Notes Due July 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	80,000	80,000
Total debt	80,000	80,000
7.08% Senior Notes Due September 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	160,000	160,000
Total debt	160,000	160,000
7.18% Senior Notes Due December 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	65,000	65,000
Total debt	65,000	65,000
6.30% Senior Notes Due December 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	100,000	100,000
Total debt	100,000	100,000
3.73% Senior Notes Due September 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	300,000
Total debt	300,000
3.83% Senior Notes Due September 2026 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	100,000
Total debt	100,000
3.98% Senior Notes Due September 2029 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	100,000
Total debt	100,000
British Pound 5.99% Senior Note Due November 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	62,249	66,303
Total debt	62,249	66,303
British Pound 4.68% Senior Note Due September 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	124,494	132,592
Total debt	124,494	132,592
Euro 3.94% Senior Note Due August 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	60,790	68,880
Total debt	60,790	68,880
Swiss Franc 2.44% Senior Note Due December 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	55,600	61,754
Total debt	55,600	61,754
Revolving Credit Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	88,100	268,329
Total debt	88,100	268,329
Other, Principally Foreign [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	22,793	17,207
Total debt	$22,793	$17,207

Debt_Longterm_Debt_Parenthetic

Debt - Long-term Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2008	Dec. 31, 2008	Dec. 31, 2007	Jul. 31, 2008	Nov. 30, 2004	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2005	Dec. 31, 2011
6.59% Senior Notes Due September 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes	6.59%	6.59%
Maturity date of senior notes	30-Sep-15
6.69% Senior Notes Due December 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes	6.69%		6.69%
Maturity date of senior notes	31-Dec-15
6.20% Senior Notes Due December 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes	6.20%			6.20%
Maturity date of senior notes	31-Dec-17
6.35% Senior Notes Due July 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes	6.35%				6.35%
Maturity date of senior notes	31-Jul-18
7.08% Senior Notes Due September 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes	7.08%	7.08%
Maturity date of senior notes	30-Sep-18
7.18% Senior Notes Due December 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes	7.18%		7.18%
Maturity date of senior notes	31-Dec-18
6.30% Senior Notes Due December 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes	6.30%			6.30%
Maturity date of senior notes	31-Dec-19
3.73% Senior Notes Due September 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes	3.73%
Maturity date of senior notes	30-Sep-24
3.83% Senior Notes Due September 2026 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes	3.83%
Maturity date of senior notes	30-Sep-26
3.98% Senior Notes Due September 2029 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes	3.98%
Maturity date of senior notes	30-Sep-29
British Pound 5.99% Senior Note Due November 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes	5.99%					5.99%
Maturity date of senior notes	30-Nov-16
British Pound 4.68% Senior Note Due September 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes	4.68%						4.68%
Maturity date of senior notes	30-Sep-20
Euro 3.94% Senior Note Due August 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes	3.94%							3.94%
Maturity date of senior notes	31-Aug-15
Swiss Franc 2.44% Senior Note Due December 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes	2.44%								2.44%
Maturity date of senior notes	31-Dec-21

Debt_Additional_Information_De

Debt - Additional Information (Detail)

Dec. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Jun. 30, 2015

Aug. 31, 2015

Aug. 31, 2015

Aug. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2007

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2007

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jul. 31, 2008

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2008

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2008

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2008

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2008

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2005

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Nov. 30, 2004

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2010

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2011

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Senior Notes First Funding [Member]

Senior Notes First Funding [Member]

Senior Notes First Funding [Member]

Senior Notes First Funding [Member]

Senior Notes First Funding [Member]

Senior Notes First Funding [Member]

Senior Notes First Funding [Member]

Senior Notes First Funding [Member]

Senior Notes Second Funding [Member]

Senior Notes Second Funding [Member]

Senior Notes Third Funding [Member]

Senior Notes Third Funding [Member]

Senior Notes Third Funding [Member]

Revolving Credit Loan [Member]

Revolving Credit Loan [Member]

Revolving Credit Loan [Member]

Letter of Credit [Member]

Letter of Credit [Member]

Foreign Subsidiaries [Member]

Scenario, Forecast [Member]

Scenario, Forecast [Member]

Scenario, Forecast [Member]

Scenario, Forecast [Member]

6.20% Senior Notes Due December 2017 [Member]

6.20% Senior Notes Due December 2017 [Member]

6.20% Senior Notes Due December 2017 [Member]

6.30% Senior Notes Due December 2019 [Member]

6.30% Senior Notes Due December 2019 [Member]

6.30% Senior Notes Due December 2019 [Member]

6.35% Senior Notes Due July 2018 [Member]

6.35% Senior Notes Due July 2018 [Member]

6.35% Senior Notes Due July 2018 [Member]

6.59% Senior Notes Due September 2015 [Member]

6.59% Senior Notes Due September 2015 [Member]

6.59% Senior Notes Due September 2015 [Member]

7.08% Senior Notes Due September 2018 [Member]

7.08% Senior Notes Due September 2018 [Member]

7.08% Senior Notes Due September 2018 [Member]

6.69% Senior Notes Due December 2015 [Member]

6.69% Senior Notes Due December 2015 [Member]

6.69% Senior Notes Due December 2015 [Member]

7.18% Senior Notes Due December 2018 [Member]

7.18% Senior Notes Due December 2018 [Member]

7.18% Senior Notes Due December 2018 [Member]

Euro 3.94% Senior Note Due August 2015 [Member]

Euro 3.94% Senior Note Due August 2015 [Member]

Euro 3.94% Senior Note Due August 2015 [Member]

British Pound 5.99% Senior Note Due November 2016 [Member]

British Pound 5.99% Senior Note Due November 2016 [Member]

British Pound 5.99% Senior Note Due November 2016 [Member]

British Pound 4.68% Senior Note Due September 2020 [Member]

British Pound 4.68% Senior Note Due September 2020 [Member]

British Pound 4.68% Senior Note Due September 2020 [Member]

Swiss Franc 2.44% Senior Note Due December 2021 [Member]

Swiss Franc 2.44% Senior Note Due December 2021 [Member]

Swiss Franc 2.44% Senior Note Due December 2021 [Member]

USD ($)

3.73% Senior Notes Due September 2024 [Member]

3.73% Senior Notes Due September 2024 [Member]

3.83% Senior Notes Due September 2026 [Member]

3.83% Senior Notes Due September 2026 [Member]

3.98% Senior Notes Due September 2029 [Member]

3.98% Senior Notes Due September 2029 [Member]

3.91% Senior Notes Due June 2025 [Member]

3.96% Senior Notes Due August 2025 [Member]

4.45% Senior Notes Due August 2035 [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

Foreign Subsidiary Borrowing [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Senior Notes Second Funding [Member]

Senior Notes Third Funding [Member]

Senior Notes Third Funding [Member]

Senior Notes Third Funding [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

GBP (£)

USD ($)

USD ($)

CHF

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

3.91% Senior Notes Due June 2025 [Member]

USD ($)

3.96% Senior Notes Due August 2025 [Member]

4.45% Senior Notes Due August 2035 [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Maturities of long-term debt outstanding in 2016

$64,200,000

Maturities of long-term debt outstanding in 2017

271,700,000

Maturities of long-term debt outstanding in 2018

310,700,000

Maturities of long-term debt outstanding in 2019

101,100,000

Maturities of long-term debt outstanding in 2020

124,500,000

Maturities of long-term debt outstanding in 2021 and thereafter

555,600,000

Aggregate principal amount of senior notes

700,000,000

500,000,000

300,000,000

100,000,000

100,000,000

50,000,000

150,000,000

100,000,000

50,000,000

270,000,000

100,000,000

80,000,000

90,000,000

160,000,000

35,000,000

65,000,000

60,800,000

50,000,000

62,200,000

40,000,000

124,500,000

80,000,000

55,600,000

55,000,000

Funding date

30-Sep-14

30-Jun-15

31-Aug-15

Interest rate on senior notes

3.73%

3.83%

3.98%

3.91%

3.96%

4.45%

6.20%

6.20%

6.30%

6.30%

6.35%

6.35%

6.59%

6.59%

7.08%

7.08%

6.69%

6.69%

7.18%

7.18%

3.94%

3.94%

5.99%

5.99%

4.68%

4.68%

2.44%

2.44%

Maturity date of senior notes

30-Sep-24

30-Sep-26

30-Sep-29

30-Jun-25

31-Aug-25

31-Aug-35

31-Dec-17

31-Dec-19

31-Jul-18

30-Sep-15

30-Sep-18

31-Dec-15

31-Dec-18

31-Aug-15

30-Nov-16

30-Sep-20

31-Dec-21

Weighted average interest rate on senior note

3.88%

Total borrowing capacity under revolving credit facility

700,000,000

Revolving credit facility expiration date

31-Dec-18

Available borrowing capacity under revolving credit facility

771,200,000

50,900,000

Additional borrowing capacity under revolving credit facility

200,000,000

Borrowings outstanding

88,100,000

216,600,000

51,700,000

40,800,000

47,700,000

22,800,000

Percentage of weighted average interest rate on revolving credit facility

1.36%

1.70%

Debt outstanding reported in long-term debt

$1,714,026,000

$1,415,065,000

$10,500,000

$270,000,000

$270,000,000

$100,000,000

$100,000,000

$80,000,000

$80,000,000

$90,000,000

$90,000,000

$160,000,000

$160,000,000

$35,000,000

$35,000,000

$65,000,000

$65,000,000

$60,790,000

$68,880,000

$62,249,000

$66,303,000

$124,494,000

$132,592,000

$55,600,000

$61,754,000

Weighted average interest rate on total debt outstanding

5.10%

5.50%

ShareBased_Compensation_Additi

Share-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jan. 25, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting rate		25.00%
Vesting period		1 year
Cliff vesting period		4 years
Contractual term of stock options		7 years
Common stock reserved for share-based plans	17,100,000	17,100,000
Stock options outstanding	6,362,000	6,362,000	6,394,000
Aggregate intrinsic value of stock options exercised		$25,700,000	$41,600,000	$45,500,000
Total fair value of stock options vested		8,900,000	8,200,000	8,900,000
Expected future pre-tax compensation expense	16,200,000	16,200,000
Nonvested restricted stock outstanding	2,500,000	2,500,000
Vesting charges, net after-tax		13,717,000	14,627,000	12,866,000
Total fair value of vested restricted stock		3,600,000	12,100,000	11,100,000
Total number of shares reserved under the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan	26,362	26,362
Shares used for retirements, terminations and dividends		3,651
Shares reserved under the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan in the current year	605,359
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period		Restricted stock grants are subject to accelerated vesting due to certain events, including doubling of the grant price of the Company's common stock as of the close of business during any five consecutive trading days.
Vesting charges, pre-tax			2,700,000
Vesting charges, net after-tax			1,900,000
Restricted Stock [Member] | Granted on April 29, 2010 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total vested restricted shares					488,235
Restricted Stock [Member] | Granted on July 29, 2010 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total vested restricted shares					26,298
Nonvested Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Nonvested restricted stock outstanding	1,105,000	1,105,000	987,000
Total vested restricted shares		104,000
Weighted average fair value, per share		$52.79	$42.42
Expected future pre-tax compensation expense	$26,200,000	$26,200,000
Weighted average period to recognize expected future pre-tax compensation expense (in years)		Less than two years
Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted average period to recognize expected future pre-tax compensation expense (in years)		2 years

ShareBased_Compensation_Weight

Share-Based Compensation - Weighted Average Assumptions Used for Estimating Fair Values of Stock Options Granted (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Expected volatility	23.90%	28.10%	28.40%
Expected term (years)	5 years	5 years	5 years 1 month 6 days
Risk-free interest rate	1.63%	0.75%	0.84%
Expected dividend yield	0.45%	0.57%	0.47%
Black-Scholes-Merton fair value per stock option granted	$12.21	$10.17	$8.54

ShareBased_Compensation_Total_

Share-Based Compensation - Total Share-Based Compensation Expense (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock option expense	$9,130	$10,776	$9,437
Restricted stock expense	10,741	10,815	9,947
Total pre-tax expense	19,871	21,591	19,384
Related tax benefit	-6,154	-6,964	-6,518
Reduction of net income	$13,717	$14,627	$12,866

ShareBased_Compensation_Summar

Share-Based Compensation - Summary of Stock Option Activity (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data in Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Beginning balance, Outstanding, Shares	6,394
Granted, Shares	976
Exercised, Shares	-846
Forfeited, Shares	-161
Expired, Shares	-1
Ending balance, Outstanding, Shares	6,362
Ending balance, Exercisable, Shares	3,827
Beginning balance, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$27.13
Granted, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$53.13
Exercised, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$21.93
Forfeited, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$40.16
Expired, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$48.98
Ending balance, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$31.47
Ending balance, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$23.55
Ending balance, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years)	3 years 7 months 6 days
Ending balance, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years)	2 years 6 months
Ending balance, Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$135.10
Ending balance, Exercisable, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$111.30

ShareBased_Compensation_Nonves

Share-Based Compensation - Nonvested Stock Options Outstanding (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Share data in Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Beginning balance, Outstanding, Shares	6,394
Nonvested stock options Granted, Shares	976
Nonvested stock options Forfeited, Shares	-161
Ending balance, Outstanding, Shares	6,362	6,394
Granted, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$12.21	$10.17	$8.54
Nonvested Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Beginning balance, Outstanding, Shares	2,880
Nonvested stock options Granted, Shares	976
Nonvested stock options Vested, Shares	-1,160
Nonvested stock options Forfeited, Shares	-161
Ending balance, Outstanding, Shares	2,535
Beginning balance, Outstanding, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$8.65
Granted, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$12.21
Vested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$7.70
Forfeited, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$9.75
Ending balance, Outstanding, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$10.38

ShareBased_Compensation_Summar1

Share-Based Compensation - Summary of Nonvested Restricted Stock Activity (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Ending balance, Nonvested restricted stock outstanding, Shares	2,500,000
Nonvested Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Beginning balance, Nonvested restricted stock outstanding, Shares	987,000
Granted, Shares	319,000
Vested, Shares	-104,000
Forfeited, Shares	-97,000
Ending balance, Nonvested restricted stock outstanding, Shares	1,105,000	987,000
Beginning balance, Nonvested restricted stock outstanding, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$36.12
Granted, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$52.79	$42.42
Vested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$34.28
Forfeited, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$38.41
Ending balance, Nonvested restricted stock outstanding, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$41.08	$36.12

Retirement_Plans_and_Other_Pos2

Retirement Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage of minimum employee contributions	20.00%
Percentage of maximum employee contributions	100.00%
Percentage of employee contributions for eligible compensation, Minimum	1.00%
Percentage of employee contributions for eligible compensation, Maximum	8.00%
Defined benefit plan contributions by employer employee match	$1,200
Number of equity securities in AMETEK common stock	512,565	550,837
Total market value of equity securities in AMETEK common stock	27,000,000	29,000,000
Percentage of equity securities in company common stock included in plan assets	5.40%	5.60%
Expected amount of amortization related to net actuarial losses and prior service costs	8,800,000
Estimated future benefit payments, 2015	33,400,000
Estimated future benefit payments, 2016	34,100,000
Estimated future benefit payments, 2017	35,500,000
Estimated future benefit payments, 2018	36,500,000
Estimated future benefit payments, 2019	37,300,000
Estimated future benefit payments, 2020-2024	199,800,000
Amount deferred under the compensation plan, including income earned	21,200,000	19,700,000
Minimum [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan estimated future employer contributions in next fiscal year	54,000,000
Maximum [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan estimated future employer contributions in next fiscal year	57,000,000
U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan estimated future employer contributions in next fiscal year	$50,000,000
Expected long-term return on plan assets	7.75%	7.75%	8.00%
Assumed rate of return next year	7.75%
U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocations for the U.S. and foreign benefits plans	45.00%
U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member] | Fixed Income Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocations for the U.S. and foreign benefits plans	15.00%
U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member] | Other Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocations for the U.S. and foreign benefits plans	40.00%
Foreign Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected long-term return on plan assets	6.93%	6.91%	6.96%
Assumed rate of return next year	6.92%
Foreign Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocations for the U.S. and foreign benefits plans	70.00%
Actual allocations for the U.S. and foreign benefits plans	70.00%
Foreign Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member] | Fixed Income Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocations for the U.S. and foreign benefits plans	15.00%
Actual allocations for the U.S. and foreign benefits plans	15.00%
Foreign Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member] | Other Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocations for the U.S. and foreign benefits plans	15.00%
Actual allocations for the U.S. and foreign benefits plans	15.00%

Retirement_Plans_and_Other_Pos3

Retirement Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits - Net Projected Benefit Obligation and Fair Value of Plan Assets for Funded and Unfunded Defined Benefit Plans (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Change in projected benefit obligation:
Net projected benefit obligation at the beginning of the year	$613,853
Service cost	6,153	6,323	5,201
Interest cost	28,931	26,000	27,620
Net projected benefit obligation at the end of the year	689,044	613,853
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at the beginning of the year	683,808
Fair value of plan assets at the end of the year	658,830	683,808
U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member]
Change in projected benefit obligation:
Net projected benefit obligation at the beginning of the year	428,675	473,891
Service cost	3,208	3,918
Interest cost	21,000	18,889
Actuarial losses (gains)	65,417	-41,305
Gross benefits paid	-26,927	-26,718
Net projected benefit obligation at the end of the year	491,373	428,675
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at the beginning of the year	518,388	476,465
Actual return on plan assets	7,094	68,049
Employer contributions	368	592
Gross benefits paid	-26,927	-26,718
Fair value of plan assets at the end of the year	498,923	518,388
Foreign Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member]
Change in projected benefit obligation:
Net projected benefit obligation at the beginning of the year	185,178	170,180
Service cost	2,945	2,405
Interest cost	7,931	7,112
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-15,961	4,823
Employee contributions	339	344
Actuarial losses (gains)	23,903	6,304
Gross benefits paid	-6,664	-6,002
Plan amendments		12
Net projected benefit obligation at the end of the year	197,671	185,178
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at the beginning of the year	165,420	143,398
Actual return on plan assets	6,628	18,341
Employer contributions	5,361	5,264
Employee contributions	339	344
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-11,177	4,075
Gross benefits paid	-6,664	-6,002
Fair value of plan assets at the end of the year	$159,907	$165,420

Retirement_Plans_and_Other_Pos4

Retirement Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits - Accumulated Benefit Obligation ("ABO") (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Accumulated benefit obligation	$477,875	$418,071
U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member] | Funded Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Accumulated benefit obligation	471,960	412,797
U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member] | Unfunded Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Accumulated benefit obligation	5,915	5,274
Foreign Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Accumulated benefit obligation	187,045	171,382
Foreign Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member] | Funded Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Accumulated benefit obligation	154,200	142,623
Foreign Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member] | Unfunded Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Accumulated benefit obligation	$32,845	$28,759

Retirement_Plans_and_Other_Pos5

Retirement Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits - Weighted Average Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligations (Detail)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate	4.20%	5.00%
Rate of compensation increase (where applicable)	3.75%	3.75%
Foreign Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate	3.44%	4.38%
Rate of compensation increase (where applicable)	2.88%	2.92%

Retirement_Plans_and_Other_Pos6

Retirement Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits - Fair Value of Plan Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	$658,830	$683,808
U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	498,923	518,388	476,465
U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member] | Cash and Temporary Investments [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	2,413	3,589
U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member] | AMETEK Common Stock [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	26,979	29,016
U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member] | U.S. Small Cap Common Stocks [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	31,629	33,229
U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member] | U.S. Large Cap Common Stocks [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	105,288	99,211
U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member] | Diversified Common Stocks - Global [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	93,558	94,901
U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member] | U.S. Corporate [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	24,162	22,732
U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member] | U.S. Government [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	4,917	2,984
U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member] | Global Asset Allocation [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	187,202	186,350
U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member] | Inflation Related Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	13,729	34,213
U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member] | Inflation Related Pooled Investment Fund [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	9,046	12,163
Level 1 [Member] | U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	249,082	251,235
Level 1 [Member] | U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member] | AMETEK Common Stock [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	26,979	29,016
Level 1 [Member] | U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member] | U.S. Small Cap Common Stocks [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	31,629	33,229
Level 1 [Member] | U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member] | U.S. Large Cap Common Stocks [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	67,484	65,737
Level 1 [Member] | U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member] | U.S. Corporate [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	7,290	8,230
Level 1 [Member] | U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member] | U.S. Government [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	3,840	2,058
Level 1 [Member] | U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member] | Global Asset Allocation [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	111,860	112,965
Level 2 [Member] | U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	240,795	254,990
Level 2 [Member] | U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member] | Cash and Temporary Investments [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	2,413	3,589
Level 2 [Member] | U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member] | U.S. Large Cap Common Stocks [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	37,804	33,474
Level 2 [Member] | U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member] | Diversified Common Stocks - Global [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	93,558	94,901
Level 2 [Member] | U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member] | U.S. Corporate [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	16,872	14,502
Level 2 [Member] | U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member] | U.S. Government [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	1,077	926
Level 2 [Member] | U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member] | Global Asset Allocation [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	75,342	73,385
Level 2 [Member] | U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member] | Inflation Related Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	$13,729	$34,213

Retirement_Plans_and_Other_Pos7

Retirement Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits - Summary of Changes in Fair Value of U.S. Plans' Investments Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Actual return on assets:
Fair value of plan assets at the end of the year	$658,830	$683,808
U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets at the beginning of the year			476,465
Actual return on assets:
Fair value of plan assets at the end of the year	498,923	518,388	476,465
Level 3 [Member] | U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member] | Alternative Investments [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets at the beginning of the year	12,163	20,543
Actual return on assets:
Unrealized gains (losses) relating to instruments still held at the end of the year	-3,117	-206
Realized gains (losses) relating to assets sold during the year		840
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net		-9,014
Fair value of plan assets at the end of the year	$9,046	$12,163

Retirement_Plans_and_Other_Pos8

Retirement Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits - Fair Value of Plan Assets for Foreign Defined Benefit Pension Plans (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	$658,830	$683,808
Foreign Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	159,907	165,420	143,398
Foreign Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member] | Cash [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	5,153	5,028
Foreign Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member] | U.S. Mutual Equity Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	15,400	14,408
Foreign Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member] | Foreign Mutual Equity Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	94,444	103,132
Foreign Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member] | Real Estate [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	4,032	3,502
Foreign Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member] | Mutual Bond Funds - Global [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	31,990	25,379
Foreign Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member] | Life Insurance [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	8,888	13,971
Level 2 [Member] | Foreign Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	151,019	151,449
Level 2 [Member] | Foreign Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member] | Cash [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	5,153	5,028
Level 2 [Member] | Foreign Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member] | U.S. Mutual Equity Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	15,400	14,408
Level 2 [Member] | Foreign Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member] | Foreign Mutual Equity Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	94,444	103,132
Level 2 [Member] | Foreign Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member] | Real Estate [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	4,032	3,502
Level 2 [Member] | Foreign Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member] | Mutual Bond Funds - Global [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	$31,990	$25,379

Retirement_Plans_and_Other_Pos9

Retirement Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits - Summary of Changes of Fair Value of Foreign Plans' Investments Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Actual return on assets:
Fair value of plan assets at the end of the year	$658,830	$683,808
Foreign Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets at the beginning of the year			143,398
Actual return on assets:
Fair value of plan assets at the end of the year	159,907	165,420	143,398
Foreign Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member] | Life Insurance [Member]
Actual return on assets:
Fair value of plan assets at the end of the year	8,888	13,971
Level 3 [Member] | Foreign Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member] | Life Insurance [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets at the beginning of the year	13,971	15,112
Actual return on assets:
Unrealized (losses) relating to instruments still held at the end of the year	-5,083	-1,141
Realized gains (losses) relating to assets sold during the year	0	0
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net	0	0
Fair value of plan assets at the end of the year	$8,888	$13,971

Recovered_Sheet1

Retirement Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits - Defined Benefit Plan, Plans with Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Projected Benefit Obligation Exceeds Fair Value of Assets, Projected Benefit Obligation	$25,790	$5,274
Projected Benefit Obligation Exceeds Fair Value of Assets, Fair Value of Plan Assets	17,182
Accumulated Benefit Obligation Exceeds Fair Value of Assets, Projected Benefit Obligation	25,790	5,274
Accumulated Benefit Obligation Exceeds Fair Value of Assets, Fair Value of Plan Assets	17,182
Foreign Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Projected Benefit Obligation Exceeds Fair Value of Assets, Projected Benefit Obligation	111,095	101,166
Projected Benefit Obligation Exceeds Fair Value of Assets, Fair Value of Plan Assets	63,496	65,948
Accumulated Benefit Obligation Exceeds Fair Value of Assets, Projected Benefit Obligation	104,196	33,386
Accumulated Benefit Obligation Exceeds Fair Value of Assets, Fair Value of Plan Assets	$63,496	$3,872

Recovered_Sheet2

Retirement Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits - Funded Status of Plan and Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Funded status asset (liability):
Fair value of plan assets	$658,830	$683,808
Projected benefit obligation	-689,044	-613,853
Funded status at the end of the year	-30,214	69,955
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet consisted of:
Noncurrent asset for pension benefits (other assets)	25,993	110,447
Current liabilities for pension benefits	-1,139	-2,114
Noncurrent liability for pension benefits	-55,068	-38,378
Net amount recognized at the end of the year	($30,214)	$69,955

Recovered_Sheet3

Retirement Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits - Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Taxes (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Net actuarial loss	$143,380	$65,610
Prior service costs	-1,407	-1,551
Transition asset	9	9
Total recognized	$141,982	$64,068

Recovered_Sheet4

Retirement Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits - Components of Net Periodic Pension Benefit Expense (Income) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Defined benefit plans:
Service cost	$6,153	$6,323	$5,201
Interest cost	28,931	26,000	27,620
Expected return on plan assets	-50,196	-45,008	-42,758
Amortization of:
Net actuarial loss	4,483	13,484	12,161
Prior service costs	-51	-35	60
Transition asset	1	-1	-22
Total net periodic benefit (income) expense	-10,679	763	2,262
Other plans:
Defined contribution plans	20,714	18,195	17,754
Foreign plans and other	5,325	5,151	4,936
Total other plans	26,039	23,346	22,690
Total net pension expense	$15,360	$24,109	$24,952

Recovered_Sheet5

Retirement Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits - Weighted Average Assumptions Used to Determine Net Periodic Pension Benefit Expense (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate	5.00%	4.10%	5.00%
Expected return on plan assets	7.75%	7.75%	8.00%
Rate of compensation increase (where applicable)	3.75%	3.75%	3.75%
Foreign Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate	4.38%	4.44%	5.22%
Expected return on plan assets	6.93%	6.91%	6.96%
Rate of compensation increase (where applicable)	2.92%	2.89%	2.97%

Guarantees_Additional_Informat

Guarantees - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Guarantees [Abstract]
Future payment obligations of various guarantees, Maximum amount	$79.10
Outstanding liability of guarantees	$11.40
Product warranty period	The Company provides limited warranties in connection with the sale of its products. The warranty periods for products sold vary widely among the Companybs operations, but for the most part do not exceed one year.

Guarantees_Changes_in_Accrued_

Guarantees - Changes in Accrued Product Warranty Obligation (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Guarantees [Abstract]
Balance at the beginning of the year	$28,036	$27,792	$22,466
Accruals for warranties issued during the year	10,515	8,588	10,089
Settlements made during the year	-11,688	-10,484	-10,602
Warranty accruals related to acquired businesses and other during the year	2,901	2,140	5,839
Balance at the end of the year	$29,764	$28,036	$27,792

Contingencies_Additional_Infor

Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
	site
Site Contingency [Line Items]
Number of non-owned sites Company is named Potentially Responsible Party	14
Number of non-owned sites the Company is identified as a de minimis party	13
Number of non-owned sites Company has reached tentative settlement agreement	9
Number of non-owned sites Company is still working to establish settlement amount	4
Total environmental reserves	$26.60	$21.90
Increase (decrease) in environmental reserves	8.3
Total expenses related to environmental matters	3.6
Teseq Group, VTI Instruments, Luphos GmbH, Zygo Corporation and Amptek,Inc. [Member]
Site Contingency [Line Items]
Increase (decrease) in environmental reserves	3.6
HCC Industries [Member]
Site Contingency [Line Items]
Reserves related to an owned site acquired	11.7	13.3
Receivables related to HCC for probable recoveries from third-party funds	9.3
Amount for which the Company is indemnified by HCC's former owners	$19

Leases_and_Other_Commitments_A

Leases and Other Commitments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Minimum aggregate rental commitments under noncancellable leases	$158.30
Future minimum rental payments in 2015	36
Future minimum rental payments in 2016	27.4
Future minimum rental payments in 2017	18.6
Future minimum rental payments in 2018	14.4
Future minimum rental payments in 2019	11.7
Future minimum rental payments thereafter	50.2
Rental expenses under non-cancelable leases	44.6	39.5	28
Purchase obligations outstanding	$388.70	$335
Minimum [Member]
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Leases expiration	2015
Maximum [Member]
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Leases expiration	2082

Reportable_Segments_and_Geogra2

Reportable Segments and Geographic Areas Information - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
	Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments	2

Reportable_Segments_and_Geogra3

Reportable Segments and Geographic Areas Information - Reportable Segment Financial Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Net sales:
Net sales	$1,024,143	$1,031,811	$990,718	$975,292	$942,468	$890,006	$878,809	$882,853	$4,021,964	$3,594,136	$3,334,213
Segment operating income:
Operating income	227,084	218,143	231,728	221,631	210,545	204,686	202,613	197,235	898,586	815,079	745,872
Interest and other expenses, net									-93,754	-90,284	-83,397
Income before income taxes									804,832	724,795	662,475
Assets:
Assets	6,420,963				5,877,902				6,420,963	5,877,902
Additions to property, plant and equipment:
Additions to property, plant and equipment									133,157	75,643	109,175
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization									138,584	118,657	105,471
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment operating income:
Operating income									948,038	861,512	789,321
Assets:
Assets	6,118,330				5,585,976				6,118,330	5,585,976
Additions to property, plant and equipment:
Additions to property, plant and equipment									131,191	72,622	107,335
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization									137,134	117,796	104,879
Operating Segments [Member] | Electronic Instruments Group [Member]
Net sales:
Net sales									2,421,638	2,034,594	1,872,557
Segment operating income:
Operating income									612,992	552,110	497,116
Assets:
Assets	3,752,247				3,166,917				3,752,247	3,166,917
Additions to property, plant and equipment:
Additions to property, plant and equipment									95,787	37,597	39,400
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization									75,364	57,808	50,473
Operating Segments [Member] | Electromechanical Group [Member]
Net sales:
Net sales									1,600,326	1,559,542	1,461,656
Segment operating income:
Operating income									335,046	309,402	292,205
Assets:
Assets	2,366,083				2,419,059				2,366,083	2,419,059
Additions to property, plant and equipment:
Additions to property, plant and equipment									35,404	35,025	67,935
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization									61,770	59,988	54,406
Corporate [Member]
Segment operating income:
Corporate administrative and other expenses									-49,452	-46,433	-43,449
Assets:
Assets	302,633				291,926				302,633	291,926
Additions to property, plant and equipment:
Additions to property, plant and equipment									1,966	3,021	1,840
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization									$1,450	$861	$592

Reportable_Segments_and_Geogra4

Reportable Segments and Geographic Areas Information - Reportable Segment Financial Information (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Additions to property, plant and equipment from acquired business	$61.80	$12.30	$51.70

Reportable_Segments_and_Geogra5

Reportable Segments and Geographic Areas Information - Information about Company's Operations in Different Geographic Areas (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Net sales:
Net sales	$1,024,143	$1,031,811	$990,718	$975,292	$942,468	$890,006	$878,809	$882,853	$4,021,964	$3,594,136	$3,334,213
Long-lived assets from continuing operations (excluding intangible assets):
Long-lived assets from continuing operations (excluding intangible assets)	448,446				402,790				448,446	402,790
United States [Member]
Net sales:
Net sales									1,825,799	1,609,661	1,626,577
Long-lived assets from continuing operations (excluding intangible assets):
Long-lived assets from continuing operations (excluding intangible assets)	289,080				233,844				289,080	233,844
United Kingdom [Member]
Net sales:
Net sales									220,877	201,543	189,704
Long-lived assets from continuing operations (excluding intangible assets):
Long-lived assets from continuing operations (excluding intangible assets)	34,736				37,080				34,736	37,080
European Union Countries [Member]
Net sales:
Net sales									674,608	627,116	526,193
Long-lived assets from continuing operations (excluding intangible assets):
Long-lived assets from continuing operations (excluding intangible assets)	76,542				84,812				76,542	84,812
Asia [Member]
Net sales:
Net sales									806,926	679,490	620,456
Long-lived assets from continuing operations (excluding intangible assets):
Long-lived assets from continuing operations (excluding intangible assets)	22,314				21,003				22,314	21,003
Other Foreign Countries [Member]
Net sales:
Net sales									493,754	476,326	371,283
Long-lived assets from continuing operations (excluding intangible assets):
Long-lived assets from continuing operations (excluding intangible assets)	25,774				26,051				25,774	26,051
Total International [Member]
Net sales:
Net sales									2,196,165	1,984,475	1,707,636
Long-lived assets from continuing operations (excluding intangible assets):
Long-lived assets from continuing operations (excluding intangible assets)	$159,366				$168,946				$159,366	$168,946

Reportable_Segments_and_Geogra6

Reportable Segments and Geographic Areas Information - Information about Company's Operations in Different Geographic Areas (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Revenue from U.S. export sales	$1,148.10	$1,037	$862.60

Additional_Consolidated_Income1

Additional Consolidated Income Statement and Cash Flow Information - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information [Abstract]
Interest and other investment income	$1.10	$1	$1.60
Income taxes paid	211.6	173.4	171.2
Cash paid for interest	$74.90	$72.70	$75

Stockholders_Equity_Additional

Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Nov. 05, 2014
	Right
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Existing share repurchase authorization	$47.10	$92.40
Repurchase of common stock, shares	4,755,000	206,000
Repurchase of common stock under share repurchase authorization	245.3	8.5
Repurchase of common stock			200
Treasury stock, shares	17,500,000	13,000,000
Treasury stock, cost	$457.80	$215.90
Number of shares outstanding	241,300,000	245,000,000
Stockholders right expiration date	Jun-17
Number of rights per common share	1

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Quart

Quarterly Financial Data - Quarterly Financial Data (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Net sales	$1,024,143	$1,031,811	$990,718	$975,292	$942,468	$890,006	$878,809	$882,853	$4,021,964	$3,594,136	$3,334,213
Operating income	227,084	218,143	231,728	221,631	210,545	204,686	202,613	197,235	898,586	815,079	745,872
Net income	$152,000	$141,811	$150,063	$140,586	$135,668	$127,864	$128,321	$125,146	$584,460	$516,999	$459,132
Basic earnings per share	$0.62	$0.58	$0.61	$0.57	$0.55	$0.52	$0.53	$0.51	$2.39	$2.12	$1.90
Diluted earnings per share	$0.62	$0.57	$0.61	$0.57	$0.55	$0.52	$0.52	$0.51	$2.37	$2.10	$1.88
Dividends paid per share	$0.09	$0.09	$0.09	$0.06	$0.06	$0.06	$0.06	$0.06	$0.33	$0.24