Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details Textual) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012 Customer Segment	Sep. 30, 2011
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of segments in which company operates	3
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 614	$ 664
Percentage of inventory estimated using LIFO method	42.00%	54.00%
Weighted average shares excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share	144	123
Interest rate swap agreement amount	8,000
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Additional Textual) [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, written off	322	133
Bad debts expense	164	196
Percentage of company's net sales from largest customers	44.00%
Number of customer for company	4
Additional percentage of combined net sales to various direct subcontractors	66.00%
Number of largest customers	5
Percentage of company's outstanding net accounts receivable due from largest customers	39.00%
Number of major customers having specified percentage of accounts receivable	4
Percentage of company's outstanding net accounts receivable due from direct subcontractors	61.00%
Reserve for obsolete and excess inventory	1,718	1,398
Foreign currency exchange contracts expiration	1 year
Research and development expense	1,046	946
Foreign currency translation adjustment	200	410
Net pension liability adjustment	4,090	4,157
Net interest rate swap agreement adjustment	35
Subsidiaries [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract]
Carrying value of property in corporate identifiable assets	1,790
Rental income	433	443
Maximum [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract]
Short term investment maturity period	1 year
Intangible assets amortized over useful lives	10 years
Minimum [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract]
Short term investment maturity period	3 months
Intangible assets amortized over useful lives	1 year
Building and Building Improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	50 years
Building and Building Improvements [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	5 years
Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract]
Tangible Asset Impairment Charges	$ 219
Machinery and Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	30 years
Machinery and Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	3 years
Software [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	10 years
Software [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	1 year
Leasehold Improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	6 years
Leasehold Improvements [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	3 years