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Contingencies (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 9 Months Ended |
--- | --- | ---
Oct. 04, 2015 | Jun. 25, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Legal settlement, value |  | $ 3,500
Legal settlement, asset value | $ 1,667 |
Life of patent, years | 5 years |
Legal settlement, expense | $ 1,833 |

X
- Definition legalsettlementasset + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | cgnx_LegalSettlementAsset
Namespace Prefix: | cgnx_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition legalsettlementexpense + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | cgnx_LegalSettlementExpense
Namespace Prefix: | cgnx_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Total settlement of Microscan litigation + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | cgnx_LegalSettlementTotal
Namespace Prefix: | cgnx_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Life of patent, years + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | cgnx_Lifeofpatentyears
Namespace Prefix: | cgnx_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingenciesDisclosureAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration