| Component: (Network and Table) | |
|---|---|
| Network | 00500 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (http://www.veeco.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows)  | 
| Table | (Implied) | 
| Reporting Entity [Axis] | 0000103145 (http://www.sec.gov/CIK) | 
| Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | Period [Axis] | ||
|---|---|---|---|
2016-01-01 - 2016-12-31  | 2015-01-01 - 2015-12-31  | 2014-01-01 - 2014-12-31  | |
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows  | |||
Cash Flows from Operating Activities  | |||
Net income (loss)  | (122,210,000)   | (31,978,000)   | (66,940,000)   | 
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:  | |||
Depreciation and amortization  | |||
Deferred income taxes  | (  | ||
Share-based compensation expense  | |||
Asset impairment  | 69,520,000    | 126,000    | 58,170,000    | 
Gain on sale of lab tools  | (  | (  | |
Provision (recovery) for bad debts  | (  | ||
Gain on cumulative translation adjustment  | (  | (  | |
Changes in contingent consideration  | (29,368,000)   | ||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:  | |||
Accounts receivable  | (  | (  | |
Inventories and deferred cost of sales  | (  | (  | |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  | (  | (  | |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses  | (  | (  | |
Customer deposits and deferred revenue  | (  | ||
Income taxes receivable and payable, net  | |||
Other, net  | |||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities  | (  | ||
Cash Flows from Investing Activities  | |||
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired  | (  | (  | |
Capital expenditures  | (  | (  | (  | 
Proceeds from the sale of investments  | |||
Payments for purchases of investments  | (  | (  | (  | 
Payments for purchase of cost method investment  | (  | (  | |
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment  | |||
Proceeds from sale of lab tools  | |||
Other  | (  | ||
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities  | (  | ||
Cash Flows from Financing Activities  | |||
Proceeds from stock option exercises and employee stock purchase plan  | |||
Restricted stock tax withholdings  | (  | (  | (  | 
Purchases of common stock  | (  | (  | |
Repayments of long-term debt  | (  | (  | (  | 
Net cash provided by (used) in financing activities  | (  | (  | |
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents  | (  | (  | |
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents  | (  | ||
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period  | 269,232,000    | ||
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period  | 277,444,000    | 269,232,000    | 270,811,000    | 
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information  | |||
Interest paid  | |||
Income taxes paid  | |||
Non-cash operating and financing activities  | |||
Net transfer of inventory to property, plant and equipment  | |||