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Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts and Sales Returns Roll Forward [Abstract]

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts and Sales Returns Roll Forward

The following is a summary of the activity of the Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts and sales returns for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands):

			Balance at									Balance at
			Beginning									End of
			of Period			Additions			Deductions			Period
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts and Sales
	Returns:
	2017		$	8,657		$	9,059		$	(8,386)		$	9,330
	2016		$	7,496		$	6,912		$	(5,751)		$	8,657
	2015		$	7,179		$	6,739		$	(6,422)		$	7,496

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value, Assets And Liabilities

The following table represents the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2017 (in thousands):

							Quoted Prices
							in Active			Significant
							Markets			Other			Significant
				Total at			for Identical			Observable			Unobservable
				December 31,			Assets			Inputs			Inputs
				2017			(Level 1)			(Level 2)			(Level 3)
Assets:
	U.S. Treasury securities			$	591,988		$	-		$	591,988		$	-
	Foreign government securities				6,952			-			6,952			-
	Corporate debt securities				1,975,160			-			1,975,160			-
	Time deposits				371,511			-			371,511			-
	Equity securities				147			-			147			-
	Waters 401(k) Restoration Plan assets				35,645			35,645			-			-
	Foreign currency exchange contracts				566			-			566			-
		Total		$	2,981,969		$	35,645		$	2,946,324		$	-
Liabilities:
	Contingent consideration			$	3,247		$	-		$	-		$	3,247
	Foreign currency exchange contracts				182			-			182			-
		Total		$	3,429		$	-		$	182		$	3,247

The following table represents the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2016 (in thousands):

							Quoted Prices
							in Active			Significant
							Markets			Other			Significant
				Total at			for Identical			Observable			Unobservable
				December 31,			Assets			Inputs			Inputs
				2016			(Level 1)			(Level 2)			(Level 3)
Assets:
	U.S. Treasury securities			$	570,313		$	-		$	570,313		$	-
	Foreign government securities				17,991			-			17,991			-
	Corporate debt securities				1,643,838			-			1,643,838			-
	Time deposits				199,906			-			199,906			-
	Equity securities				147			-			147			-
	Waters 401(k) Restoration Plan assets				30,954			30,954			-			-
	Foreign currency exchange contracts				60			-			60			-
		Total		$	2,463,209		$	30,954		$	2,432,255		$	-
Liabilities:
	Contingent consideration			$	3,007		$	-		$	-		$	3,007
	Foreign currency exchange contracts				730			-			730			-
		Total		$	3,737		$	-		$	730		$	3,007

Summary of Derivative Instruments by Risk Exposure [Abstract]

Gains (Losses) on Foreign Exchange Contracts

The following is a summary of the activity included in cost of sales in the statements of operations related to the foreign currency exchange contracts (in thousands):

			Year Ended December 31,
			2017			2016			2015
Realized gains (losses) on closed contracts			$	3,894		$	(10,401)		$	(2,601)
Unrealized gains (losses) on open contracts				1,054			(883)			742
	Cumulative net pre-tax gains (losses)		$	4,948		$	(11,284)		$	(1,859)

Fair Value of Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts

The Company’s foreign currency exchange contracts included in the consolidated balance sheets are classified as follows (in thousands):

			December 31, 2017			December 31, 2016
Other current assets			$	566		$	60
Other current liabilities			$	182		$	730

Warranty Accrual Roll Forward [Abstract]

Warranty Accrual Roll Forward

The following is a summary of the activity of the Company’s accrued warranty liability for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands):

			Balance at									Balance at
			Beginning			Accruals for			Settlements			End of
			of Period			Warranties			Made			Period
Accrued warranty liability:
	2017		$	13,391		$	8,746		$	(9,111)		$	13,026
	2016		$	13,349		$	9,755		$	(9,713)		$	13,391
	2015		$	13,266		$	8,390		$	(8,307)		$	13,349

X

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of financial instruments measured at fair value, including those classified in shareholders' equity measured on a recurring or nonrecurring basis. Disclosures include, but are not limited to, fair value measurements recorded and the reasons for the measurements, level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements are categorized and transfers between levels 1 and 2. Nonrecurring fair value measurements are those that are required or permitted in the statement of financial position in particular circumstances.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66048111&loc=d3e19279-110258

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- Definition

Tabular disclosure of derivative instruments (including nonderivative instruments that are designated and qualify as hedging instruments) of (a) the location and amount of gains and losses reported in the statement of financial performance and (b) the location and fair value amounts of the instruments reported in the statement of financial position.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
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Tabular disclosure of the presentation of foreign exchange contracts on the statement of financial position, including the fair value amounts and location of such amounts.

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- Definition

Tabular disclosure of the changes in the guarantor's aggregate product warranty liability, including the beginning balance of the aggregate product warranty liability, the aggregate reductions in that liability for payments made (in cash or in kind) under the warranty, the aggregate changes in the liability for accruals related to product warranties issued during the reporting period, the aggregate changes in the liability for accruals related to preexisting warranties (including adjustments related to changes in estimates), and the ending balance of the aggregate product warranty liability.

+ References

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Disclosure of the reconciliation of the allowance for doubtful accounts and sales returns balance from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

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