Property, Plant, and Equipment - Net (Property, Plant, and Equipment - Net) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2009
Property, Plant, and Equipment - Net
Land	$ 14,823	$ 11,372
Buildings and improvements	177,637	171,257
Leasehold improvements	18,765	17,884
Machinery and production equipment	265,898	270,126
Computer equipment and software	66,149	57,518
Other	25,191	22,854
Construction in progress	44,975	13,125
Property, plant and equipment, gross total	613,438	564,136
Less accumulated depreciation	(406,713)	(370,612)
Property, plant and equipment, net, total	206,725	193,524
Depreciation expense	40,400	40,502	37,828
Capitalized interest	$ 1,354	$ 150	$ 31

The cumulative amount of depreciation, depletion and amortization (related to property, plant and equipment, but not including land) that has been recognized in the income statement.

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Gross amount, as of the balance sheet date, of long-lived, depreciable assets that include building structures held for productive use including any addition, improvement, or renovation to the structure, such as interior masonry, interior flooring, electrical, and plumbing.

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Gross amount, at the balance sheet date, of long-lived assets under construction that include construction costs to date on capital projects that have not been completed and assets being constructed that are not ready to be placed into service.

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The amount of expense recognized in the current period that reflects the allocation of the cost of tangible assets over the assets' useful lives. Includes production and non-production related depreciation.

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The amount of cash paid during the current period for interest that is capitalized.

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- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of real estate held for productive use. This excludes land held for sale.

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Gross amount, at the balance sheet date, of long-lived, depreciable assets that are an addition or improvement to assets held under lease arrangement.

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Gross amount, as of the balance sheet date, of long-lived, depreciable assets used in the production process to produce goods and services.

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Gross amount, at the balance sheet date, of long-lived physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. This can include land, buildings, machinery and equipment, and other types of furniture and equipment including, but not limited to, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment and software.

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Tangible assets that are held by an entity for use in the production or supply of goods and services, for rental to others, or for administrative purposes and that are expected to provide economic benefit for more than one year; net of accumulated depreciation. Examples include land, buildings, machinery and equipment, and other types of furniture and equipment including, but not limited to, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment and software.

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This element represents capitalized assets classified as property, plant and equipment not otherwise defined in the taxonomy.

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The gross amount of long lived, depreciable assets that are used in the creation, maintenance and utilization of information systems and capitalized computer software costs as of the balance sheet date.

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