CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$ (2,195)	$ (2,970)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	569	737
Loss on condemnation of property		608
Other	766	508
Change in assets and liabilities:
Decrease in restricted cash	282	50
Decrease in accounts receivable, net	362	1,872
Increase in inventories	(632)	(614)
Decrease (increase) in costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts	(1,665)	1,464
Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses and deposits	(472)	115
Decrease in accounts payable	(452)	(68)
Decrease in accrued liabilities	(246)	(1,197)
Increase (decrease) in pension and retirement obligations	(188)	399
Increase in customer deposits	636	1,458
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(3,235)	2,362
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(96)	(196)
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities	1,011	466
Net cash provided by investing activities	915	270
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net principal payments on line-of-credit agreement		(500)
Principal payments on long-term debt	(116)	(111)
Net cash used in financing activities	(116)	(611)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(2,436)	2,021
Cash and cash equivalents as of beginning of the period	3,932	1,024
Cash and cash equivalents as of end of the period	1,496	3,045
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information:
Cash paid for interest	405	410
Cash paid for income taxes	43	57
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities	$ 194	$ (313)