Woodward (WWD) 10-K 12 Nov 14 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Nov. 10, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
Document and Entity Information	'	'	'
Document Type	'10-K	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-14	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'WOODWARD, INC.	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000108312	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--09-30	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	65,587,860	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'Yes	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'
Entity Public Float	'	'	$1,829,752,615

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ear

Consolidated Statements of Earnings (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Consolidated Statements of Earnings	'	'	'
Net sales	$2,001,240	$1,935,976	$1,865,627
Costs and expenses:	'	'	'
Cost of goods sold	1,425,839	1,376,271	1,303,344
Selling, general and administrative expenses	155,339	168,097	164,512
Research and development costs	138,005	130,250	143,274
Amortization of intangible assets	33,580	36,979	32,809
Interest expense	22,804	26,703	26,003
Interest income	-271	-273	-542
Other (income) expense, net (Note 15)	-1,300	-1,622	-1,580
Total costs and expenses	1,773,996	1,736,405	1,667,820
Earnings before income taxes	227,244	199,571	197,807
Income tax expense	61,400	53,629	56,218
Net earnings	$165,844	$145,942	$141,589
Earnings per share (Note 3):	'	'	'
Basic earnings per share	$2.50	$2.13	$2.06
Diluted earnings per share	$2.45	$2.10	$2.01
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding (Note 3):	'	'	'
Basic	66,432	68,392	68,880
Diluted	67,776	69,602	70,307
Cash dividends per share paid to Woodward common stockholders	$0.32	$0.32	$0.31

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Earnings (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Comprehensive earnings	'	'	'
Net earnings	$165,844	$145,942	$141,589
Other comprehensive earnings:	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-16,003	7,337	-7,291
Taxes on changes on foreign currency translation adjustments	1,080	958	2,635
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	-14,923	8,295	-4,656
Reclassification of realized losses on derivatives to earnings	99	171	174
Realized gain on cash flow hedge	0	507	0
Taxes on changes on derivative transactions	-37	-259	-66
Derivative adjustments, net of tax	62	419	108
Minimum retirement benefit liability adjustments (Note 17):	'	'	'
Net gain (loss) arising during the period	3,746	26,756	-17,960
Prior service cost arising during the period	-3,355	0	0
Loss (gain) due to settlement or curtailment arising during the period	-7,539	36	56
Amortization of prior service benefit	-66	-90	-484
Amortization of net loss	785	1,770	1,280
Foreign currency exchange rate changes on minimum retirement benefit liabilities	104	673	-171
Taxes on changes on minimum retirement benefit liability adjustments	2,538	-11,021	6,478
Minimum retirement benefit liability adjustments, net of tax	-3,787	18,124	-10,801
Total comprehensive earnings	$147,196	$172,780	$126,240

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$115,287	$48,556
Accounts receivable, less allowance for uncollectible amounts of $7,078 and $8,872, respectively	346,858	381,065
Inventories	451,944	431,744
Income taxes receivable	6,574	14,071
Deferred income tax assets	40,774	43,027
Other current assets	47,207	38,650
Total current assets	1,008,644	957,113
Property, plant and equipment, net	513,279	350,048
Goodwill	559,724	561,458
Intangible assets, net	254,772	288,775
Deferred income tax assets	6,292	13,926
Other assets	54,491	47,198
Total assets	2,397,202	2,218,518
Current liabilities:	'	'
Current portion of long-term debt	0	100,000
Accounts payable	160,683	145,541
Income taxes payable	6,130	7,848
Deferred income tax liabilities	472	800
Accrued liabilities	172,731	161,741
Total current liabilities	340,016	415,930
Long-term debt, less current portion	710,000	450,000
Deferred income tax liabilities	85,031	104,533
Other liabilities	101,211	105,510
Total liabilities	1,236,258	1,075,973
Commitments and contingencies (Note 19)	'	'
Stockholders' equity:	'	'
Preferred stock, par value $0.003 per share, 10,000 shares authorized, no shares issued	0	0
Common stock, par value $0.001455 per share, 150,000 shares authorized, 72,960 shares issued	106	106
Additional paid-in capital	112,491	101,147
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings (losses)	-3,533	15,115
Deferred compensation	3,915	4,007
Retained earnings	1,338,468	1,193,887
Stockholders' equity excluding treasury stock	1,451,447	1,314,262
Treasury stock at cost, 7,397 shares and 4,883 shares, respectively	-286,588	-167,710
Treasury stock held for deferred compensation, at cost, 198 shares and 232 shares, respectively	-3,915	-4,007
Total stockholders' equity	1,160,944	1,142,545
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$2,397,202	$2,218,518

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Allowance, accounts receivable	$7,078	$8,872
Stockholders' equity:	'	'
Preferred stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Preferred stock, shares authorized	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Common stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized	150,000,000	150,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	72,960,000	72,960,000
Treasury stock, shares	7,397,000	4,883,000
Treasury stock held for deferred compensation, shares	198,000	232,000

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'	'
Net earnings	$165,844	$145,942	$141,589
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	77,353	74,233	68,617
Loss (gain) due to settlements or curtailments of postretirement plan (Note 17)	-7,539	37	56
Impairment of long-lived asset held for sale (Note 9)	3,138	0	0
Net (gain) loss on sales of assets	166	-100	16
Stock-based compensation	11,241	9,414	8,628
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	-3,751	-5,154	-3,990
Deferred income taxes	-6,704	8,348	-3,730
Loss on derivatives reclassified from accumulated comprehensive earnings into earnings	99	171	174
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of business acquisitions:	'	'	'
Accounts receivable	30,880	-9,774	-59,061
Inventories	-27,788	-1,485	-18,702
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	24,068	16,062	11,688
Current income taxes	9,378	-9,020	7,594
Retirement benefit obligations, excluding settlements and curtailments	-2,788	-15,974	745
Other	-5,514	9,892	-9,511
Net cash provided by operating activities	268,083	222,592	144,113
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'	'
Payments for purchase of property, plant and equipment	-207,106	-141,600	-64,900
Proceeds from sale of assets	1,277	418	283
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	-198,860	0
Net cash used in investing activities	-205,829	-340,042	-64,617
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'	'
Cash dividends paid	-21,263	-21,866	-21,351
Proceeds from sales of treasury stock	9,772	8,370	6,286
Payments for repurchases of common stock	-141,488	-45,754	-44,110
Excess tax benefits from stock compensation	3,751	5,154	3,990
Borrowings on revolving lines of credit and short-term borrowings	431,071	179,072	187,865
Payments on revolving lines of credit and short-term borrowings	-221,069	-179,484	-187,591
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	250,000	200,000	0
Payments of long-term debt	-300,000	-41,875	-33,365
Proceeds from cash flow hedge	0	507	0
Payments of debt financing costs	-1,297	-1,651	-2,185
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	9,477	102,473	-90,461
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-5,000	1,704	-1,745
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	66,731	-13,273	-12,710
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	48,556	61,829	74,539
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$115,287	$48,556	$61,829

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sto

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Earnings [Member]	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments [Member]	Unrealized Derivative Gains (Losses) [Member]	Minimum Retirement Benefit Liability Adjustments [Member]	Deferred Compensation in Equity [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Treasury Stock at Cost [Member]	Treasury Stock Held for Deferred Compensaton [Member]	Total
In Thousands, except Share data
Balances at Sep. 30, 2011	$106	$81,453	$3,626	$22,103	($484)	($17,993)	$4,581	$949,573	($115,661)	($4,581)	$919,097
Balance, Treasury Stock, shares at Sep. 30, 2011	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-4,070,000	'	'
Balance, Common Stock, shares at Sep. 30, 2011	72,960,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Balance, Treasury stock held for deferred compensation, Shares at Sep. 30, 2011	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-315,000	'
Net earnings	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	141,589	'	'	141,589
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	'	'	-15,349	-4,656	108	-10,801	'	'	'	'	-15,349
Cash dividends paid	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-21,351	'	'	-21,351
Purchases of treasury stock	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-44,110	'	-44,110
Purchases of treasury stock, shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-1,132,000	'	'
Sales of treasury stock	'	-1,542	'	'	'	'	'	'	7,720	'	6,178
Sales of treasury stock, shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-454,000	'	'
Common shares issued from treasury stock for benefit plans	'	5,238	'	'	'	'	'	'	4,097	'	9,335
Common shares issued from treasury stock for benefit plans, shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	209,000	'	'
Tax benefit attributable to exercise of stock options	'	3,990	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	3,990
Stock-based compensation	'	8,628	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	8,628
Transfer of stock to deferred compensation plan	'	59	'	'	'	'	108	'	49	-108	108
Transfer of stock to deferred compensation plan, shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	3,000	-3,000	'
Purchases of stock by deferred compensation plan	'	'	'	'	'	'	93	'	'	-93	'
Purchases of stock by deferred compensation plan, shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-2,000	'
Distribution of stock from deferred compensation plan	'	'	'	'	'	'	-438	'	'	438	'
Distribution of stock from deferred compensation plan, shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	44,000	'
Balances at Sep. 30, 2012	106	97,826	-11,723	17,447	-376	-28,794	4,344	1,069,811	-147,905	-4,344	1,008,115
Balance, Treasury Stock, shares at Sep. 30, 2012	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-4,536,000	'	'
Balance, Common Stock, shares at Sep. 30, 2012	72,960,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Balance, Treasury stock held for deferred compensation, Shares at Sep. 30, 2012	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-276,000	'
Net earnings	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	145,942	'	'	145,942
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	'	'	26,838	8,295	419	18,124	'	'	'	'	26,838
Cash dividends paid	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-21,866	'	'	-21,866
Purchases of treasury stock	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-51,846	'	-51,846
Purchases of treasury stock, shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-1,395,000	'	'
Sales of treasury stock	'	-13,194	'	'	'	'	'	'	24,110	'	10,916
Sales of treasury stock, shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	796,000	'	'
Common shares issued from treasury stock for benefit plans	'	1,923	'	'	'	'	'	'	7,857	'	9,780
Common shares issued from treasury stock for benefit plans, shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	250,000	'	'
Tax benefit attributable to exercise of stock options	'	5,154	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	5,154
Stock-based compensation	'	9,414	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	9,414
Transfer of stock to deferred compensation plan	'	24	'	'	'	'	97	'	74	-97	98
Transfer of stock to deferred compensation plan, shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,000	-2,000	'
Purchases of stock by deferred compensation plan	'	'	'	'	'	'	79	'	'	-79	'
Purchases of stock by deferred compensation plan, shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-2,000	'
Distribution of stock from deferred compensation plan	'	'	'	'	'	'	-513	'	'	513	'
Distribution of stock from deferred compensation plan, shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	48,000	'
Balances at Sep. 30, 2013	106	101,147	15,115	25,742	43	-10,670	4,007	1,193,887	-167,710	-4,007	1,142,545
Balance, Treasury Stock, shares at Sep. 30, 2013	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-4,883,000	'	-4,883,000
Balance, Common Stock, shares at Sep. 30, 2013	72,960,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	72,960,000
Balance, Preferred Stock, shares at Sep. 30, 2013	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0
Balance, Treasury stock held for deferred compensation, Shares at Sep. 30, 2013	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-232,000	-232,000
Net earnings	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	165,844	'	'	165,844
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	'	'	-18,648	-14,923	62	-3,787	'	'	'	'	-18,648
Cash dividends paid	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-21,263	'	'	-21,263
Purchases of treasury stock	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-144,510	'	-144,510
Purchases of treasury stock, shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-3,336,000	'	'
Sales of treasury stock	'	-6,217	'	'	'	'	'	'	17,276	'	11,059
Sales of treasury stock, shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	562,000	'	'
Common shares issued from treasury stock for benefit plans	'	2,837	'	'	'	'	'	'	8,356	'	11,193
Common shares issued from treasury stock for benefit plans, shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	260,000	'	'
Tax benefit attributable to exercise of stock options	'	3,483	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	3,483
Stock-based compensation	'	11,241	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	11,241
Purchases of stock by deferred compensation plan	'	'	'	'	'	'	370	'	'	-370	'
Purchases of stock by deferred compensation plan, shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-8,000	'
Distribution of stock from deferred compensation plan	'	'	'	'	'	'	-462	'	'	462	'
Distribution of stock from deferred compensation plan, shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	42,000	'
Balances at Sep. 30, 2014	$106	$112,491	($3,533)	$10,819	$105	($14,457)	$3,915	$1,338,468	($286,588)	($3,915)	$1,160,944
Balance, Treasury Stock, shares at Sep. 30, 2014	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-7,397,000	'	-7,397,000
Balance, Common Stock, shares at Sep. 30, 2014	72,960,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	72,960,000
Balance, Preferred Stock, shares at Sep. 30, 2014	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0
Balance, Treasury stock held for deferred compensation, Shares at Sep. 30, 2014	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-198,000	-198,000

Operations_and_summary_of_sign

Operations and summary of significant accounting policies	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Basis of Presentation	'
Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	Note 1.  Operations and summary of significant accounting policies
	Basis of presentation
	The Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and include the accounts of Woodward, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively “Woodward” or “the Company”).  Dollar amounts contained in these Consolidated Financial Statements are in thousands, except per share amounts.
	Nature of operations
	Woodward enhances the global quality of life and sustainability by optimizing energy use through improved efficiency and lower emissions.  Woodward is an independent designer, manufacturer, and service provider of energy control and optimization solutions.  Woodward designs, produces and services reliable, efficient, low-emission, and high-performance energy control products for diverse applications in challenging environments.  Woodward has significant production and assembly facilities in the United States, Europe and Asia, and promotes its products and services through its worldwide locations.
	Woodward’s strategic focus is providing energy control and optimization solutions for the aerospace and energy markets.  The precise and efficient control of energy, including fluid and electrical energy, combustion, and motion, is a growing requirement in the markets it serves.  Woodward’s customers look to it to optimize the efficiency, emissions and operation of power equipment in both commercial and defense operations.  Woodward’s core technologies leverage well across its markets and customer applications, enabling it to develop and integrate cost-effective and state-of-the-art fuel, combustion, fluid, actuation and electronic systems.  Woodward focuses its solutions and services primarily on serving original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) and equipment packagers, partnering with them to bring superior component and system solutions to their demanding applications.  Woodward also provides aftermarket repair, replacement and other service support for its installed products.
	Woodward’s components and integrated systems optimize performance of commercial aircraft, defense aircraft, ground vehicles and other equipment, gas and steam turbines, wind turbines, including converters and power grid related equipment, industrial diesel, gas, alternative and dual fuel reciprocating engines, and electrical power systems.  Woodward’s innovative fluid energy, combustion control, electrical energy, and motion control systems help its customers offer more cost-effective, cleaner, and more reliable equipment.
	Summary of significant accounting policies
	Principles of consolidation:  These Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and include the accounts of Woodward and its wholly and majority-owned subsidiaries.  Transactions within and between these companies are eliminated.
	Use of estimates:  The preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements requires management to make use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, at the date of the financial statements and the reported revenues and expenses recognized during the reporting period, and certain financial statement disclosures.  Significant estimates include allowances for uncollectible amounts, net realizable value of inventories, customer rebates earned, useful lives of property and identifiable intangible assets, the evaluation of impairments of property, identifiable intangible assets and goodwill, the provision for income tax and related valuation reserves, the valuation of assets and liabilities acquired in business combinations, assumptions used in the determination of the funded status and annual expense of pension and postretirement employee benefit plans, the valuation of stock compensation instruments granted to employees, and contingencies. Actual results could vary materially from Woodward’s estimates.
	Foreign currency exchange rates:  The assets and liabilities of substantially all subsidiaries outside the United States are translated at fiscal year-end rates of exchange, and earnings and cash flow statements are translated at weighted-average rates of exchange.  Translation adjustments are accumulated with other comprehensive (loss) earnings as a separate component of stockholders’ equity and are presented net of tax effects in the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity.  The effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on loans between consolidated subsidiaries, that are considered permanent in nature, are also accumulated with other comprehensive earnings, net of tax.
	The Company is exposed to market risks related to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates because some sales transactions, and certain of the assets and liabilities of its domestic and foreign subsidiaries, are denominated in foreign currencies.  Selling, general, and administrative expenses include net foreign currency losses of $1,089 in fiscal year 2014, $2,738 in fiscal year 2013, and $480 in fiscal year 2012.
	Revenue recognition:  Woodward recognizes revenue upon shipment or delivery of products or services and when collectability is reasonably assured.  Delivery is upon completion of manufacturing, customer acceptance, and the transfer of the risks and rewards of ownership.  In countries whose laws provide for retention of some form of title by sellers, enabling recovery of goods in the event of customer default on payment, product delivery is considered to have occurred when the customer has assumed the risks and rewards of ownership of the products.
	Occasionally, Woodward transfers title of product to customers, but retains substantive performance obligations such as completion of product testing, customer acceptance or in some instances regulatory acceptance.  Revenue is deferred until the performance obligations are satisfied.  In addition, service revenue, which accounts for less than 1% of Woodward’s net sales, is also recognized upon completion of applicable performance obligations.
	Certain Woodward products include incidental software or firmware essential to the performance of the product as designed, which are treated as units of accounting associated with the related tangible product with which the software is included.  Woodward does not sell software on a standalone basis, although software upgrades, if any, are generally paid for by the customer.
	Product freight costs are included in cost of goods sold.  Freight costs charged to customers are included in net sales.
	Taxes collected from customers and remitted to government authorities are excluded from revenue and are recorded as liabilities until the taxes are remitted to the appropriate U.S. or foreign government authority.
	Net sales from service activities were less than 10% of total net sales for fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012.
	Customer payments:  Woodward occasionally agrees to make payments to certain customers in order to participate in anticipated sales activity.  Payments made to customers are accounted for as a reduction of revenue unless they are made in exchange for identifiable goods or services with fair values that can be reasonably estimated.  Reductions in revenue associated with these customer payments are recognized immediately to the extent that the payments cannot be attributed to anticipated future sales, and are recognized in future periods to the extent that the payments relate to anticipated future sales.  Such determinations are based on the facts and circumstances underlying each payment.
	Stock-based compensation:  Compensation cost relating to stock-based payment awards made to employees and directors is recognized in the financial statements using a fair value method.  Non-qualified stock option awards and restricted stock awards are issued under Woodward’s stock-based compensation plans.  The cost of such awards, measured at the grant date, is based on the estimated fair value of the award.
	Forfeitures are estimated at the time of each grant in order to estimate the portion of the award that will ultimately vest.  The estimate is based on Woodward’s historical rates of forfeitures and is updated periodically.  The portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as expense over the requisite service periods, which is generally the vesting period of the awards.
	Research and development costs:  Company funded expenditures related to new product development activities are expensed as incurred and are separately reported in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
	Income taxes:  Deferred income taxes are provided for the temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of Woodward’s assets, liabilities, and certain unrecognized gains and losses recorded in accumulated other comprehensive earnings.  Woodward provides for taxes that may be payable if undistributed earnings of overseas subsidiaries were to be remitted to the United States, except for those earnings that it considers to be indefinitely invested.
	Cash equivalents:  Highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less are considered to be cash equivalents.
	Cash and cash equivalents are maintained with multiple financial institutions.  Generally, these deposits may be redeemed upon demand and are maintained with financial institutions with reputable credit and therefore bear minimal credit risk.  Woodward holds cash and cash equivalents at financial institutions in excess of amounts covered by the Federal Depository Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”) and sometimes invests excess cash in money market funds not insured by the FDIC.
	Accounts receivable:  Almost all of Woodward’s sales are made on credit and result in accounts receivable, which are recorded at the amount invoiced.  In the normal course of business, not all accounts receivable are collected and, therefore, an allowance for uncollectible amounts is provided equal to the amount that Woodward believes ultimately will not be collected.  In establishing the amount of the allowance, customer-specific information is considered related to delinquent accounts, past loss experience, bankruptcy filings, deterioration in the customer’s operating results or financial position, and current economic conditions. Accounts receivable losses are deducted from the allowance, and the related accounts receivable balances are written off when the receivables are deemed uncollectible.  Recoveries of accounts receivable previously written off are recognized when received.
	Consistent with business practice common in China, Woodward’s Chinese subsidiary accepts from Chinese customers, in settlement of certain customer accounts receivable, bankers acceptance notes issued by creditworthy Chinese banks.  Bankers acceptance notes are financial instruments issued by Chinese financial institutions as part of financing arrangements between the financial institution and a customer of the financial institution.  Bankers acceptance notes represent a commitment by the issuing financial institution to pay a certain amount of money at a specified future maturity date to the legal owner of the bankers acceptance note as of the maturity date.  The maturity date of bankers acceptance notes varies, but it is Woodward’s policy to only accept bankers acceptance notes with maturity dates no more than 180 days from the date of Woodward’s receipt of such draft.  The issuing financial institution is the obligor, not Woodward’s customers.  Upon Woodward’s acceptance of a bankers acceptance note from a customer, such customer has no further obligation to pay Woodward for the related accounts receivable balance.  Woodward only accepts bankers acceptance notes issued by creditworthy banks as to which the credit risk associated with the bankers acceptance note is assessed to be minimal.
	The composition of Woodward’s accounts receivable at September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013 follows:
		September 30,			September 30,
		2014			2013
	Accounts receivable from:
	Customers	$	291,584		$	316,983
	Other (Chinese financial institutions)		62,352			72,954
	Allowance for uncollectible customer amounts		-7,078			-8,872
		$	346,858		$	381,065
	Inventories:  Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market, with cost being determined using methods that approximate a first-in, first-out basis.
	Customer deposits are recorded against inventory when the right of offset exists.  There were no customer deposits included in inventory as of September 30, 2014 and 2013.  All other customer deposits are recorded in accrued liabilities.
	Property, plant, and equipment:  Property, plant, and equipment are recorded at cost and are depreciated over the estimated useful lives of the assets.  Assets are generally depreciated using the straight-line method.  Assets are tested for recoverability whenever events or circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable.
	Estimated lives over which fixed assets are generally depreciated at September 30, 2014 were as follows:
	Land improvements	3	-	40		years
	Buildings and improvements	3	-	40		years
	Leasehold improvements	1	-	25		years
	Machinery and production equipment	3	-	15		years
	Computer equipment and software	2	-	10		years
	Office furniture and equipment	3	-	13		years
	Other	3	-	13		years
	Included in computer equipment and software are Woodward’s enterprise resource planning (“ERP”) systems, which have an estimated useful life of 10 years.  All other computer equipment and software is generally depreciated over three to five years.
	Purchase accounting:    Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting.  Under the acquisition method, assets and liabilities, including intangible assets, are recorded at their fair values as of the acquisition date.  Acquisition costs in excess of amounts assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded as goodwill.
	Goodwill:    Woodward tests goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level on an annual basis and more often if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount.  Based on the relevant U.S. GAAP authoritative guidance, Woodward sometimes aggregates components of a single operating segment into a reporting unit, if appropriate.   The impairment tests consist of comparing the implied fair value of each reporting unit with its carrying amount including goodwill.  If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its implied fair value, Woodward compares the implied fair value of goodwill with the recorded carrying amount of goodwill.  If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of goodwill, an impairment loss would be recognized to reduce the carrying amount to its implied fair value.  There was no impairment charge recorded in fiscal years 2014, 2013, or 2012.
	Other intangibles:  Other intangibles are recognized apart from goodwill whenever an acquired intangible asset arises from contractual or other legal rights, or whenever it is capable of being separated or divided from the acquired entity and sold, transferred, licensed, rented, or exchanged, either individually or in combination with a related contract, asset, or liability.  All of Woodward’s intangibles have an estimated useful life and are being amortized using patterns that reflect the periods over which the economic benefits of the assets are expected to be realized.  Impairment losses are recognized if the carrying amount of an intangible is both not recoverable and exceeds its fair value.
	Estimated lives over which intangible assets are amortized at September 30, 2014 were as follows:
	Customer relationships	9	-	30		years
	Intellectual property	10	-	17		years
	Process technology	8	-	30		years
	Other	3	-	15		years
	Impairment of long-lived assets:  Woodward reviews the carrying amount of its long-lived assets or asset groups to be used in operations whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets might not be recoverable.  Factors that would necessitate an impairment assessment include a significant adverse change in the extent or manner in which an asset is used, a significant adverse change in legal factors or the business climate that could affect the value of the asset, or a significant decline in the observable market value of an asset, among others.  If such facts indicate a potential impairment, the Company would assess the recoverability of an asset group by determining if the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds the sum of the projected undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the assets over the remaining economic life of the primary asset in the asset group.  If the recoverability test indicates that the carrying amount of the asset group is not recoverable, the Company will estimate the fair value of the asset group using appropriate valuation methodologies, which would typically include an estimate of discounted cash flows.  Any impairment would be measured as the difference between the asset groups carrying amount and its estimated fair value.  There was an impairment charge of $3,138 recorded in fiscal year 2014 related to a write down to fair market value of assets held for sale.  There were no impairment charges recorded in fiscal years 2013 or 2012.
	Investment in marketable equity securities:  Woodward holds marketable equity securities related to its deferred compensation program.  Based on Woodward’s intentions regarding these instruments, marketable equity securities are classified as trading securities.  The trading securities are reported at fair value, with realized gains and losses recognized in “Other (income) expense, net.” The trading securities are included in “Other assets.”  The associated obligation to provide benefits is included in “Other liabilities.”
	Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries:  Investments in and operating results of entities in which Woodward does not have a controlling financial interest or the ability to exercise significant influence over the operations are included in the financial statements using the cost method of accounting.  Investments and operating results of entities in which Woodward does not have a controlling interest but does have the ability to exercise significant influence over operations are included in the financial statements using the equity method of accounting.
	Deferred compensation:  The Company maintains a deferred compensation plan, or “rabbi trust,” as part of its overall compensation package for certain employees.
	Deferred compensation obligations will be settled either by delivery of a fixed number of shares of Woodward’s common stock (in accordance with certain eligible members’ irrevocable elections) or in cash.  Woodward has contributed shares of its common stock into a trust established for the future settlement of deferred compensation obligations that are payable in shares of Woodward’s common stock.  Common stock held by the trust is reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as “Treasury stock held for deferred compensation” and the related deferred compensation obligation is reflected as a separate component of equity in amounts equal to the fair value of the common stock at the dates of contribution.  These accounts are not adjusted for subsequent changes in the fair value of the common stock.  Deferred compensation obligations that will be settled in cash are accounted for on an accrual basis in accordance with the terms of the underlying contract and are reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as “Other liabilities.”
	Derivatives:  The Company is exposed to various market risks that arise from transactions entered into in the normal course of business.  The Company has historically utilized derivative instruments, such as treasury lock agreements to lock in fixed rates on future debt issuances, which qualify as cash flow or fair value hedges to mitigate the risk of variability in cash flows related to future interest payments attributable to changes in the designated benchmark rate.  The Company records all such interest rate hedge instruments on the balance sheet at fair value.  Cash flows related to the instrument designated as a qualifying hedge are reflected in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows in the same categories as the cash flows from the items being hedged.  Accordingly, cash flows relating to the settlement of interest rate derivatives hedging the forecasted future interest payments on debt have been reflected upon settlement as a component of financing cash flows.  The resulting gain or loss from such settlement is deferred to other comprehensive income and reclassified to interest expense over the term of the underlying debt.  This reclassification of the deferred gains and losses impacts the interest expense recognized on the underlying debt that was hedged and is therefore reflected as a component of operating cash flows in periods subsequent to settlement.  The periodic settlement of interest rate derivatives hedging outstanding variable rate debt is recorded as an adjustment to interest expense and is therefore reflected as a component of operating cash flows.
	From time to time, Woodward will enter into foreign currency exchange rate contracts to hedge against changes in foreign currency exchange rates on liabilities expected to be settled at a future date.  Woodward has historically not designated these transactions as accounting hedges.  The fair value of foreign currency exchange rate contracts held at the end of the period are recognized in the balance sheet and the unrealized gains or losses are recorded to “Other (income) expense, net” in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.  Upon settlement of foreign currency exchange rate contracts, any unrealized gains or losses previously recognized are reversed and the realized gain or loss is recorded to “Other (income) expense, net” in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings.  Further information on foreign currency exchange rate contracts can be found at Note 6, Derivative instruments and hedging activities.
	Financial instruments:  The Company’s financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, investments in the deferred compensation program, notes receivable from municipalities, and debt.  Because of their short-term maturity, the carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents and short-term debt approximate fair value.  The fair value of investments in the deferred compensation program are adjusted to fair value based on the quoted market prices for the investments in the various mutual funds owned.  The fair value of the long-term notes from municipalities are estimated based on a model that discounts future principal and interest payments received at interest rates available to the Company at the end of the period for similarly rated municipality notes of similar maturity.  The fair value of long-term debt is estimated based on a model that discounts future principal and interest payments at interest rates available to the Company at the end of the period for similar debt with the same maturity.  Further information on the fair value of financial instruments can be found at Note 5, Financial instruments and fair value measurements.
Financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value in the Consolidated Balance Sheets are categorized based upon a fair value hierarchy established by U.S. GAAP, which prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value into the following levels:
Level 1: Inputs based on quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date.
Level 2: Quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable and can be corroborated by observable market data.
Level 3: Inputs reflect management’s best estimates and assumptions of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date.  The inputs are unobservable in the market and significant to the valuation of the instruments.
Postretirement benefits:  The Company provides various benefits to certain current and former employees through defined benefit pension and postretirement plans.  For financial reporting purposes, net periodic benefits expense and related obligations are calculated using a number of significant actuarial assumptions.  Changes in net periodic expense and funding status may occur in the future due to changes in these assumptions.  The funded status of defined pension and postretirement plans recognized in the statement of financial position is measured as the difference between the fair market value of the plan assets and the benefit obligation.  For a defined benefit pension plan, the benefit obligation is the projected benefit obligation; for any other defined benefit postretirement plan, such as a retiree health care plan, the benefit obligation is the accumulated benefit obligation.  Any over-funded status is recognized as an asset and any underfunded status is recognized as a liability.
Projected benefit obligation is the actuarial present value as of the measurement date of all benefits attributed by the plan benefit formula to employee service rendered before the measurement date using assumptions as to future compensation levels if the plan benefit formula is based on those future compensation levels.  Accumulated benefit obligation is the actuarial present value of benefits (whether vested or unvested) attributed by the plan benefit formula to employee service rendered before the measurement date and based on employee service and compensation, if applicable, prior to that date.  Accumulated benefit obligation differs from projected benefit obligation in that it includes no assumption about future compensation levels.

New_Accounting_Standards

New Accounting Standards	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
New Accounting Standards	'
	Note 2.  New accounting standards
	From time to time, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) or other standards setting bodies issue new accounting pronouncements.  Updates to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) are communicated through issuance of an Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”).
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.”  The purpose of ASU 2014-09 is to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue and to develop a common revenue standard for U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards.  The amendments (i) remove inconsistencies and weaknesses in revenue requirements, (ii) provide a more robust framework for addressing revenue issues, (iii) improve comparability of revenue recognition across entities, industries, jurisdictions, and capital markets, (iv) provide more useful information to users of financial statements through improved disclosure requirements, and (v) simplify the preparation of financial statements by reducing the number of requirements to which an entity must refer.  ASU 2014-09 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 (fiscal year 2018 for Woodward), including interim periods within that reporting period.  Early adoption is not permitted.  An entity should adopt the amendments using one of the following methods: retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying ASU 2014-09 recognized at the date of initial application.  Woodward has not determined what transition method it will use and is currently assessing the impact that this guidance may have on its Consolidated Financial Statements.
	In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-02, “Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.”  ASU 2013-02 does not change the current requirements for reporting net income or other comprehensive income in financial statements; however, the amendments require companies to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated comprehensive income by component.  ASU 2013-02 requires a company to present, either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated comprehensive income by respective line items of net income, but only if the amount so reclassified is required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period.  For other amounts that are not required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified in their entirety to net income, a company is required to cross-reference to other disclosures required under U.S. GAAP that provide additional detail about those amounts.  ASU 2013-02 is effective prospectively for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012 (fiscal year 2014 for Woodward).  The disclosure requirement of ASU 2013-02, which Woodward has adopted, had no material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	Note 3.  Earnings per share
	Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period.
	Diluted earnings per share reflects the weighted-average number of shares outstanding after consideration of the dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock.
	The following is a reconciliation of net earnings to basic earnings per share and diluted earnings per share:
		Year Ended September 30,
		2014		2013		2012
	Numerator:
	Net earnings	$	165,844	$	145,942	$	141,589
	Denominator:
	Basic shares outstanding		66,432		68,392		68,880
	Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock		1,344		1,210		1,427
	Diluted shares outstanding		67,776		69,602		70,307
	Income per common share:
	Basic earnings per share	$	2.50	$	2.13	$	2.06
	Diluted earnings per share	$	2.45	$	2.10	$	2.01
	The following stock option grants were outstanding during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012, but were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive:
		Year Ended September 30,
		2014		2013		2012
	Options		12		44		50
	Weighted-average option price	$	44.04	$	40.21	$	36.33
	The weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding for basic and diluted earnings per share included the weighted-average treasury stock shares held for deferred compensation obligations of the following:
		Year Ended September 30,
		2014		2013		2012
	Weighted-average treasury stock shares held for deferred compensation obligations		216		256		295

Business_Acquisitions

Business Acquisitions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Business Combinations	'
Business Acquisitions	'
	Note 4.  Business acquisitions
	Woodward has recorded the acquisition described below using the acquisition method of accounting and, accordingly, has included the results of operations of the acquired business in its consolidated results as of the date of acquisition.    In accordance with authoritative accounting guidance for business combinations, the purchase price for the acquisition is allocated to the tangible assets, liabilities, and intangible assets acquired based on their estimated fair values.  The excess purchase price over the respective fair values of assets is recorded as goodwill.  Goodwill is not amortized under U.S. GAAP but is tested for impairment at least annually (See Note 10, Goodwill).
	Duarte Business Acquisition
	On December 27, 2012, Woodward entered into a definitive asset purchase agreement (the “Asset Purchase Agreement”) with GE Aviation Systems LLC (the “Seller”) and General Electric Company for the acquisition of substantially all of the assets and certain liabilities related to the Seller’s thrust reverser actuation systems business located in Duarte, California (the “Duarte Business”) for an aggregate purchase price of $200,000.  The acquisition was completed on December 28, 2012 and, based on customary purchase price adjustments, Woodward paid cash at closing in the amount of $198,900.  Woodward and the Seller have finalized the purchase price adjustment based on the customary post-closing provisions of the Asset Purchase Agreement.
	The purchase price of the Duarte Business is as follows:
	Cash paid to Seller	$	198,900
	Less cash acquired		-40
	Total purchase price	$	198,860
	The allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with ASC Topic 805, “Business Combinations.”  Assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the transaction were allocated and recorded at their estimated acquisition date fair values using management’s best estimate based on available data.  Transaction costs associated with the acquisition were expensed as incurred.  The Company incurred transaction costs of $1,944 during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013, which are included in “Selling, general and administrative expenses” in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.    No additional transaction costs were incurred in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014.
	During the three-months ended December 31, 2013, Woodward completed its purchase accounting valuation estimates and as a result, retrospectively adjusted the valuations of certain liabilities with a corresponding increase to goodwill and intangible assets as of the acquisition date.  The retrospective adjustments amounted to approximately $12,800 and primarily relate to long-term performance obligations and other accrued liabilities.  Changes since the acquisition date to the valuations of the assets and liabilities acquired resulted in insignificant changes to Woodward’s previously reported earnings and therefore prior reported earnings have not been restated.  The allocation of the purchase price to the assets and liabilities assumed was finalized as of December 27, 2013.
	The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the acquisition of the Duarte Business:
	Accounts receivable	$	14,245
	Inventories		30,149
	Other current assets		10,370
	Property, plant, and equipment		11,804
	Goodwill		98,310
	Intangible assets		89,700
	Other noncurrent assets		18,097
	Total assets acquired		272,675
	Other current liabilities		32,509
	Other noncurrent liabilities		41,306
	Total liabilities assumed		73,815
	Net assets acquired	$	198,860
	Goodwill recorded in connection with the acquisition of the Duarte Business, which is deductible for income tax purposes, represents the estimated value of potential expansion with new customers, the opportunity to further develop sales opportunities with new and acquired Duarte Business customers, and other synergies expected to be achieved through the integration of the Duarte Business into Woodward’s Aerospace segment.
	A summary of the estimated intangible assets acquired, weighted-average useful lives, and amortization methods follows:
		Estimated Amounts		Weighted-Average Useful Life		Amortization Method
	Customer relationships and contracts	$	77,000	20	years	Straight-line
	Process technology		5,000	25	years	Straight-line
	Backlog		7,700	3	years	Accelerated
	Total	$	89,700
	Assumed liabilities include $4,758 and $17,939 of current and long-term performance obligations, respectively, for contractual commitments that are expected to result in future economic losses.
	The Asset Purchase Agreement included commitments for the Duarte Business to continue to provide services to the Seller unrelated to the core business acquired, for which Woodward will continue to be paid by the Seller.  Assumed liabilities include $12,985 and $23,215 of current and long-term performance obligations, respectively, for services to be provided to the Seller, offset by $8,103 and $18,097 of current and long-term assets, respectively, related to contractual payments due from the Seller.
	Net sales for the Duarte Business subsequent to the date it was acquired by Woodward were $145,998 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014 and $111,261 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013.  Earnings of the Duarte Business subsequent to the date it was acquired by Woodward for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014 cannot be determined on a stand-alone basis due to the integration of the Duarte Business into Woodward’s Aerospace segment.  Earnings of the Duarte Business subsequent to the date it was acquired by Woodward for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013 were slightly accretive to the consolidated net earnings of Woodward.  Due to the timing of the acquisition, there were no net sales or operating expenses from the Duarte Business included in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the three-months ended December 31, 2012.  Fiscal year 2014 includes a full year of Duarte Business operating results.
	Pro forma results for Woodward giving effect to the acquisition of the Duarte Business
	The following unaudited pro forma financial information presents the combined results of operations of Woodward and the Duarte Business as if the acquisition had occurred as of October 1, 2011, the beginning of fiscal year 2012.  The pro forma information is presented for information purposes only and is not indicative of the results of operations that would have been achieved if the acquisition and the borrowings used to finance it had taken place at the beginning of fiscal year 2012.  The pro forma information combines the historical results of Woodward with the historical results of the Duarte Business for that period.
	Prior to the acquisition of the Duarte Business,  the Duarte Business was a wholly owned business of the Seller, and as such was not a stand-alone entity for financial reporting purposes.  Accordingly, the historical operating results of the Duarte Business may not be indicative of the results that might have been achieved, historically or in the future, if the Duarte Business had been a stand-alone entity.  The unaudited pro forma results for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012 include amortization charges for acquired intangible assets, eliminations of intercompany transactions, adjustments for depreciation expense for property, plant and equipment, adjustments for acquired performance obligations, transaction costs incurred, adjustments to interest expense, and related tax effects.
	The unaudited pro forma results for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, compared to the actual results reported in these Consolidated Financial Statements, follow:
		Year Ended September 30,
		2014				2013				2012
		As reported		Pro forma		As reported		Pro forma		As reported		Pro forma
	Net sales	$	2,001,240	$	2,001,240	$	1,935,976	$	1,966,376	$	1,865,627	$	1,978,169
	Net earnings		165,844		167,047		145,942		152,431		141,589		131,384
	Earnings per share:
	Basic earnings per share	$	2.50	$	2.51	$	2.13	$	2.23	$	2.06	$	1.91
	Diluted earnings per share		2.45		2.46		2.10		2.19		2.01		1.87

Financial_Instruments_and_Fair

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurments	'
Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements	'
	Note 5.  Financial instruments and fair value measurements
	Financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value in the Consolidated Balance Sheets are categorized based upon a fair value hierarchy established by U.S. GAAP.
	The table below presents information about Woodward’s financial assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques Woodward utilized to determine such fair value.  Woodward had no financial liabilities required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2014 or September 30, 2013.
		At September 30, 2014												At September 30, 2013
		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Financial assets:
	Cash	$	92,590		$	-		$	-		$	92,590		$	35,839	$	-	$	-	$	35,839
	Investments in money market funds		11,210			-			-			11,210			2,950		-		-		2,950
	Investments in reverse repurchase agreements		11,487			-			-			11,487			9,767		-		-		9,767
	Equity securities		9,645			-			-			9,645			8,285		-		-		8,285
	Total financial assets	$	124,932		$	-		$	-		$	124,932		$	56,841	$	-	$	-	$	56,841
	Investments in money market funds: Woodward sometimes invests excess cash in money market funds not insured by the FDIC.  Woodward believes that the investments in money market funds are on deposit with creditworthy financial institutions and that the funds are highly liquid.  The investments in money market funds are reported at fair value, with realized gains from interest income realized in earnings and are included in “Cash and cash equivalents.”  The fair values of Woodward’s investments in money market funds are based on the quoted market prices for the net asset value of the various money market funds.
	Investments in reverse repurchase agreements:  Woodward sometimes invests excess cash in reverse repurchase agreements.  Under the terms of Woodward’s reverse repurchase agreements, Woodward purchases an interest in a pool of securities and is granted a security interest in those securities by the counterparty to the reverse repurchase agreement.  At an agreed upon date, generally the next business day, the counterparty repurchases Woodward’s interest in the pool of securities at a price equal to what Woodward paid to the counterparty plus a rate of return determined daily per the terms of the reverse repurchase agreement.  Woodward believes that the investments in these reverse repurchase agreements are with creditworthy financial institutions and that the funds invested are highly liquid.  The investments in reverse repurchase agreements are reported at fair value, with realized gains from interest income realized in earnings, and are included in “Cash and cash equivalents.”  Since the investments are generally overnight, the carrying value is considered to be equal to the fair value as the amount is deemed to be a cash deposit with no risk of change in value as of the end of each fiscal quarter.
	Equity securities: Woodward holds marketable equity securities, through investments in various mutual funds, related to its deferred compensation program.  Based on Woodward’s intentions regarding these instruments, marketable equity securities are classified as trading securities.  The trading securities are reported at fair value, with realized gains and losses recognized in “Other (income) expense, net.”  The trading securities are included in “Other assets.”  The fair values of Woodward’s trading securities are based on the quoted market prices for the net asset value of the various mutual funds.
	Accounts receivable and accounts payable are not remeasured to fair value, as the carrying cost of each approximates its respective fair value.  The estimated fair values and carrying costs of other financial instruments that are not required to be remeasured at fair value in the Consolidated Balance Sheets were as follows:
				At September 30, 2014						At September 30, 2013
		Fair Value Hierarchy Level		Estimated Fair Value			Carrying Cost			Estimated Fair Value			Carrying Cost
	Assets:
	Notes receivable from municipalities	2			15,988			15,228			6,718			8,114
	Liabilities:
	Long-term debt, including current portion	2			-752,513			-710,000			-588,297			-550,000
	In fiscal years 2014 and 2013, Woodward received long-term notes from a municipality within the state of Illinois in connection with certain economic incentives related to Woodward’s development of a second campus in the greater-Rockford, Illinois area for its Aerospace segment.  The fair value of the long-term notes was estimated based on a model that discounted future principal and interest payments received at an interest rate available to the Company at the end of the period for similarly rated municipal notes of similar maturity, which is a level 2 input as defined by the U.S. GAAP fair value hierarchy.  The interest rates used to estimate the fair value of the long-term notes were 3.2% at September 30, 2014 and 4.3% at September 30, 2013.
	In fiscal year 2013, Woodward received a long-term note from a municipality within the state of Colorado in connection with certain economic incentives related to Woodward’s development of a new campus at its corporate headquarters in Fort Collins, Colorado.  The fair value of the long-term note was estimated based on a model that discounted future principal and interest payments received at an interest rate available to the Company at the end of the period for similarly rated municipal notes of similar maturity, which is a level 2 input as defined by the U.S. GAAP fair value hierarchy.  The interest rates used to estimate the fair value of the long-term note were 3.2% at September 30, 2014 and 4.3% at September 30, 2013.
	The fair value of long-term debt was estimated based on a model that discounted future principal and interest payments at interest rates available to the Company at the end of the period for similar debt of the same maturity, which is a level 2 input as defined by the U.S. GAAP fair value hierarchy.  The weighted-average interest rates used to estimate the fair value of long-term debt were 2.4% as of September 30, 2014 and 2.0%  as September 30, 2013.

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities	'
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities	'
	Note 6.  Derivative instruments and hedging activities
	Woodward is exposed to global market risks, including the effect of changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, changes in certain commodity prices and fluctuations in various producer indices.  From time to time, Woodward enters into derivative instruments for risk management purposes only, including derivatives designated as accounting hedges and/or those utilized as economic hedges.  Woodward uses interest rate related derivative instruments to manage its exposure to fluctuations of interest rates.  Woodward does not enter into or issue derivatives for trading or speculative purposes.
	By using derivative and/or hedging instruments to manage its risk exposure, Woodward is subject, from time to time, to credit risk and market risk on those derivative instruments.  Credit risk arises from the potential failure of the counterparty to perform under the terms of the derivative and/or hedging instrument.  When the fair value of a derivative contract is positive, the counterparty owes Woodward, which creates credit risk for Woodward.  Woodward mitigates this credit risk by entering into transactions with only creditworthy counterparties.  Market risk arises from the potential adverse effects on the value of derivative and/or hedging instruments that result from a change in interest rates, commodity prices, or foreign currency exchange rates.  Woodward minimizes this market risk by establishing and monitoring parameters that limit the types and degree of market risk that may be undertaken.
	Other than the cash flow hedge discussed below, Woodward did not enter into any other derivatives or hedging transactions during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012.
	Derivatives in fair value hedging relationships
	In 2002, Woodward entered into certain interest rate swaps that were designated as fair value hedges of its long-term debt consisting of senior notes due in October 2011.  The discontinuance of these interest rate swaps resulted in gains that were recognized as a reduction of interest expense over the term of the associated debt (10 years) using the effective interest method.  The unrecognized portion of the gain was presented as an adjustment to long-term debt.
	As of September 30, 2014, September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012 there was no remaining unrecognized portion of the gain as it became fully amortized during the quarter ended December 31, 2011.
	Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships
	In June 2013, in connection with Woodward’s expected refinancing of current maturities on its existing long-term debt, Woodward entered into a treasury lock agreement with a notional amount of $25,000 that qualified as a cash flow hedge under ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging.”    The objective of this derivative instrument was to hedge the risk of variability in cash flows attributable to changes in the designated benchmark interest rate over a seven-year period related to the future interest payments on a portion of anticipated future debt issuances.  The treasury lock agreement was settled in August 2013 and the resulting gain of $507 is being recognized as a reduction of interest expense over a seven-year period.  The unrecognized portion of the gain is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive earnings, net of tax.
	In September 2008, the Company entered into treasury lock agreements that qualified as cash flow hedges under authoritative guidance for derivatives and hedging.  The objective of this derivative instrument was to hedge the risk of variability in cash flows related to future interest payments of a portion of the anticipated future debt issuances attributable to changes in the designated benchmark interest rate associated with the expected issuance of long-term debt to acquire Techni-Core, Inc. (“Techni-Core”) and MPC Products Corporation (“MPC Products” and, together with Techni-Core, “MPC”).  The discontinuance of these treasury lock agreements resulted in a gain that is being recognized as a reduction of interest expense over a seven-year period on the hedged Series C and D Notes, which were issued on October 1, 2008, using the effective interest method.  The unrecognized portion of the gain is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive earnings, net of tax.
	In March 2009, Woodward entered into LIBOR lock agreements that qualified as cash flow hedges under authoritative guidance for derivatives and hedging.  The objective of this derivative instrument was to hedge the risk of variability in cash flows over a seven-year period related to future interest payments of a portion of anticipated future debt issuances attributable to changes in the designated benchmark interest rate associated with the then expected issuance of long-term debt to acquire HR Textron Inc. (“HRT”).  The discontinuance of the LIBOR lock agreements resulted in a loss that is being recognized as an increase of interest expense over a seven-year period on the hedged Series E and F Notes, which were issued on April 3, 2009, using the effective interest method.  The unrecognized portion of the loss is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive earnings, net of tax.
	The remaining unrecognized gains and losses in Woodward’s Consolidated Balance Sheets associated with derivative instruments that were previously entered into by Woodward, which are classified in accumulated other comprehensive losses (“accumulated OCI”), were net gains of $170 as of September 30, 2014 and $71 as of September 30, 2013.
	The following tables disclose the impact of derivative instruments on Woodward’s Consolidated Statements of Earnings:
			Year ended September 30, 2014
	Derivatives in:	Location of (Gain) Loss Recognized in Earnings	Amount of (Income) Expense Recognized in Earnings on Derivative		Amount of (Gain) Loss Recognized in Accumulated OCI on Derivative		Amount of (Gain) Loss Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Earnings
	Fair value hedging relationships	Interest expense	$	-	$	-	$	-
	Cash flow hedging relationships	Interest expense		99		-		99
			$	99	$	-	$	99
			Year ended September 30, 2013
	Derivatives in:	Location of (Gain) Loss Recognized in Earnings	Amount of (Income) Expense Recognized in Earnings on Derivative		Amount of (Gain) Loss Recognized in Accumulated OCI on Derivative		Amount of (Gain) Loss Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Earnings
	Fair value hedging relationships	Interest expense	$	-	$	-	$	-
	Cash flow hedging relationships	Interest expense		171		-507		171
			$	171	$	-507	$	171
			Year ended September 30, 2012
	Derivatives in:	Location of (Gain) Loss Recognized in Earnings	Amount of (Income) Expense Recognized in Earnings on Derivative		Amount of (Gain) Loss Recognized in Accumulated OCI on Derivative		Amount of (Gain) Loss Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Earnings
	Fair value hedging relationships	Interest expense	$	-3	$	-	$	-
	Cash flow hedging relationships	Interest expense		174		-		174
			$	171	$	-	$	174
	Based on the carrying value of the realized but unrecognized gains and losses on terminated derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges as of September 30, 2014, Woodward expects to reclassify  $99 of net unrecognized losses on terminated derivative instruments from accumulated other comprehensive earnings to earnings during the next twelve months.

Supplemental_Statements_of_Cas

Supplemental Statements of Cash Flows Information	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Supplemental Statements of Cash Flows Information	'
Supplemental Statements of Cash Flows Information	'
	Note 7.  Supplemental statement of cash flows information
		Year Ended September 30,
		2014		2013		2012
	Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized	$	27,922	$	26,627	$	25,665
	Income taxes paid		66,477		52,355		52,705
	Income tax refunds received		2,303		6,336		3,183
	Non-cash activities:
	Purchases of property, plant and equipment on account		13,437		5,345		6,065
	Common shares issued from treasury for benefit plans (Note 17)		11,193		9,780		9,335
	Notes receivable from municipalities for economic development incentives		6,596		8,114		-
	Cashless exercise of stock options		1,286		2,645		-
	Settlement of receivable through cashless acquisition of treasury shares in		1,736		3,447		-
	connection with the cashless exercise of stock options

Inventories

Inventories	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Inventories	'
Inventories	'
	Note 8.  Inventories
			September 30,		September 30,
			2014		2013
	Raw materials		$	60,442	$	67,599
	Work in progress			93,836		87,808
	Component parts (1)			247,299		229,508
	Finished goods			50,367		46,829
			$	451,944	$	431,744
		-1		Component parts include items that can be sold separately as finished goods or included in the manufacture of other products.

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_N

Property, Plant, and Equipment, Net	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Property, Plant, and Equipment, Net	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	'
	Note 9.  Property, plant, and equipment
		September 30,		September 30,
		2014		2013
	Land and land improvements	$	66,303	$	57,562
	Buildings and improvements		197,587		195,008
	Leasehold improvements		20,026		18,924
	Machinery and production equipment		326,403		305,692
	Computer equipment and software		103,852		97,538
	Office furniture and equipment		20,992		24,400
	Other		18,839		14,197
	Construction in progress		223,958		81,428
			977,960		794,749
	Less accumulated depreciation		-464,681		-444,701
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	513,279	$	350,048
	Included in “Land and land improvements” and “Buildings and improvements” at September 30, 2014 are held for sale assets of $2,465.  During the quarter ended September 30, 2014, Woodward recorded an impairment charge of $3,138, which is included in cost of goods sold in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings, related to the write down to fair market value of certain held for sale assets.
	Woodward is developing a second campus in the greater-Rockford, Illinois area for its Aerospace segment in order to address the growth expected over the next ten years and beyond and to support a substantial number of recently awarded new system platforms, particularly on narrow-body aircraft. Included in construction in progress are $85,283 at September 30, 2014 and $15,691 at September 30, 2013, of costs associated with the construction of the second campus and new equipment purchases, including capitalized interest of $2,963 at September 30, 2014 and $444 at September 30, 2013.
	Woodward is also developing a new campus at its corporate headquarters in Fort Collins, Colorado to support the continued growth of our Energy segment by supplementing its existing Colorado manufacturing facilities and corporate headquarters.  Included in construction in progress are $37,268 at September 30, 2014 and $10,514 at September 30, 2013,  of costs associated with the construction of the new campus, including capitalized interest of $2,392 at September 30, 2014 and $394 at September 30, 2013.
	In addition, in September 2013, Woodward invested in a building site in Niles, Illinois.  Woodward is building a new facility on this site for its Aerospace segment and will relocate some of its operations currently residing in nearby Skokie, Illinois to this new facility.  Included in construction in progress are $55,629 at September 30, 2014 and $12,067 at September 30, 2013, of costs associated with the construction of the new facility, including capitalized interest of $1,688 at September 30, 2014 and $0 at September 30, 2013.
	For the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012, Woodward had depreciation expense of the following:
		Year Ended September 30,
		2014		2013		2012
	Depreciation expense	$	43,773	$	37,254	$	35,808
	For the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012, Woodward capitalized interest that would have otherwise been included in interest expense of the following:
		Year Ended September 30,
		2014		2013		2012
	Capitalized interest	$	7,282	$	1,215	$	658

Goodwill

Goodwill	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Goodwill Disclosure	'
Goodwill	'
	Note 10.  Goodwill
		30-Sep-13		Additions		Effects of Foreign Currency Translation		30-Sep-14
	Aerospace	$	455,107	$	-	$	316	$	455,423
	Energy		106,351		-		-2,050		104,301
	Consolidated	$	561,458	$	-	$	-1,734	$	559,724
		30-Sep-12		Additions		Effects of Foreign Currency Translation		30-Sep-13
	Aerospace	$	356,773	$	98,310	$	23	$	455,107
	Energy		104,601		-		1,750		106,351
	Consolidated	$	461,374	$	98,310	$	1,773	$	561,458
	On December 28, 2012, Woodward completed the acquisition of the Duarte Business (Note 4, Business acquisitions), which resulted in the recognition of $98,310 in goodwill.  The operations of the Duarte Business have been integrated into Woodward’s Aerospace segment.
	Woodward tests goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level on an annual basis and more often if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount.  Based on the relevant U.S. GAAP authoritative guidance, Woodward aggregates components of a single operating segment into a reporting unit, if appropriate.  The impairment tests consist of comparing the implied fair value of each reporting unit with its carrying amount including goodwill.  If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its implied fair value, Woodward compares the implied fair value of goodwill with the recorded carrying amount of goodwill.  If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of goodwill, an impairment loss would be recognized to reduce the carrying amount to its implied fair value.
	Woodward completed its annual goodwill impairment test as of July 31, 2014 during the quarter ended September 30, 2014.  At that date, Woodward determined it was appropriate to aggregate certain components of the same operating segment into a single aggregated reporting unit.  The fair value of each of Woodward’s reporting units was determined using a discounted cash flow method.  This method represents a Level 3 input and incorporates various estimates and assumptions, the most significant being projected revenue growth rates, earnings margins, future tax rates, and the present value, based on an estimated weighted-average cost of capital (or the discount rate) and terminal growth rate, of forecasted cash flows.  Management projects revenue growth rates, earnings margins and cash flows based on each reporting unit’s current operational results, expected performance and operational strategies over a five or ten-year period.  These projections are adjusted to reflect current economic conditions and demand for certain products, and require considerable management judgment.
	Forecasted cash flows used in the July 31, 2014 impairment test were discounted using weighted-average cost of capital assumptions ranging from 8.93% to 11.04%.  The terminal values of the forecasted cash flows were calculated using the Gordon Growth Model and assumed an annual compound growth rate after five or ten years of 4.20%.  These inputs, which are unobservable in the market, represent management’s best estimate of what market participants would use in determining the present value of the Company’s forecasted cash flows.  Changes in these estimates and assumptions can have a significant impact on the fair value of forecasted cash flows.  Woodward evaluated the reasonableness of the reporting unit’s resulting fair values utilizing a market multiple method.
	The results of Woodward’s goodwill impairment tests performed as of July 31, 2014 indicated the estimated fair value of each reporting unit was substantially in excess of its carrying value, and accordingly, no impairment existed.

Intangible_Assets_Net

Intangible Assets, Net	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Intangible Assets, Net	'
Intangible Assets, Net	'
	Note 11.  Other intangibles, net
		30-Sep-14						30-Sep-13
		Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization		Net Carrying Amount		Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization		Net Carrying Amount
	Customer relationships and contracts:
	Aerospace	$	282,225	$	-97,281	$	184,944	$	282,225	$	-77,288	$	204,937
	Energy		41,706		-32,032		9,674		42,008		-29,711		12,297
	Total	$	323,931	$	-129,313	$	194,618	$	324,233	$	-106,999	$	217,234
	Intellectual property:
	Aerospace	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-
	Energy		19,954		-15,938		4,016		20,218		-14,722		5,496
	Total	$	19,954	$	-15,938	$	4,016	$	20,218	$	-14,722	$	5,496
	Process technology:
	Aerospace	$	76,605	$	-31,719	$	44,886	$	76,718	$	-26,129	$	50,589
	Energy		23,078		-13,141		9,937		23,458		-11,699		11,759
	Total	$	99,683	$	-44,860	$	54,823	$	100,176	$	-37,828	$	62,348
	Other intangibles:
	Aerospace	$	9,100	$	-8,465	$	635	$	47,351	$	-44,572	$	2,779
	Energy		1,519		-839		680		2,631		-1,713		918
	Total	$	10,619	$	-9,304	$	1,315	$	49,982	$	-46,285	$	3,697
	Total intangibles:
	Aerospace	$	367,930	$	-137,465	$	230,465	$	406,294	$	-147,989	$	258,305
	Energy		86,257		-61,950		24,307		88,315		-57,845		30,470
	Consolidated Total	$	454,187	$	-199,415	$	254,772	$	494,609	$	-205,834	$	288,775
		Year Ended September 30,
		2014		2013		2012
	Amortization expense	$	33,580	$	36,979	$	32,809
	Future amortization expense associated with intangibles is expected to be:
	Year Ending September 30:
	2015			$	29,309
	2016				27,606
	2017				25,862
	2018				25,035
	2019				23,199
	Thereafter				123,761
				$	254,772

Credit_Facilities_Shortterm_Bo

Credit Facilities, Short-term Borrowings and Long-term Debt	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure	'
Credit Facilities, Short-term Borrowings and Long-term Debt	'
	Note 12.  Credit facilities, short-term borrowings and long-term debt
	As of September 30, 2014, Woodward’s short-term borrowings and availability under its various short-term credit facilities follows:
		Total availability			Outstanding letters of credit and guarantees			Outstanding borrowings		Remaining availability
	Revolving credit facility	$	600,000		$	-5,408		$	-210,000	$	384,592
	Foreign lines of credit and overdraft facilities		27,959			-86			-		27,872
	Foreign performance guarantee facilities		9,678			-443			-		9,235
		$	637,637		$	-5,937		$	-210,000	$	421,699
	Revolving credit facility
	Woodward maintains a $600,000 revolving credit facility established under a revolving credit agreement between Woodward and a syndicate of lenders led by Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent (the “Revolving Credit Agreement”).  The Revolving Credit Agreement provides for the option to increase available borrowings to up to $800,000, subject to lenders’ participation, and matures in July 2018.  Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement generally bear interest at LIBOR plus 0.85% to 1.65%.  Under the Revolving Credit Agreement, there were $210,000 of borrowings outstanding as of September 30, 2014, at an effective interest rate of 1.21%, and no borrowings outstanding as of September 30, 2013.  As of September 30, 2014, the entire outstanding balance under the Revolving Credit Agreement was classified as long-term.
	The Revolving Credit Agreement contains certain covenants customary with such agreements, which are generally consistent with the covenants applicable to Woodward’s long-term debt agreements, and contains customary events of default, including certain cross default provisions related to Woodward’s other outstanding debt arrangements in excess of $60,000, the occurrence of which would permit the lenders to accelerate the amounts due thereunder. In addition, the Revolving Credit Agreement includes the following financial covenants: (i) a maximum permitted leverage ratio of consolidated net debt to consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, stock-based compensation, and amortization, plus any usual non-cash charges to the extent deducted in computing net income minus any usual non-cash gains to the extent added in computing net income (“Leverage Ratio”) for Woodward and its consolidated subsidiaries not to exceed 3.5 to 1.0, which ratio, subject to certain restrictions, may increase to 4.0 to 1.0 for the fiscal quarter (and the immediately following fiscal quarter) during which a permitted acquisition occurs and to 3.75 to 1.0 for the next two succeeding fiscal quarters, and (ii) a minimum consolidated net worth of $800,000, plus 50% of Woodward’s positive net income for the prior fiscal year and plus 50% of Woodward’s net cash proceeds resulting from certain issuances of stock, subject to certain adjustments.
	Woodward’s obligations under the Revolving Credit Agreement are guaranteed by Woodward FST, Inc., Woodward MPC, Inc., and Woodward HRT, Inc., each of which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Woodward.
	Short-term borrowings
	A Chinese subsidiary of Woodward has a local credit facility with the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Company under which it has the ability to borrow up to either $22,700, or the local currency equivalent of $22,700.  Any cash borrowings under the local Chinese credit facility are secured by a parent guarantee from Woodward.  The Chinese subsidiary may utilize the local facility for cash borrowings to support its operating cash needs.  Local currency borrowings on the Chinese credit facility are charged interest at the prevailing interest rate offered by the People’s Bank of China on the date of borrowing, plus a margin equal to 25% of that prevailing rate.  U.S. dollar borrowings on the credit facility are charged interest at the lender’s cost of borrowing rate at the date of borrowing, plus 3%.  The Chinese subsidiary had no outstanding cash borrowings against the local credit facility at September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013.
	Woodward also has other foreign lines of credit and foreign overdraft facilities at various financial institutions, which are generally reviewed annually for renewal and are subject to the usual terms and conditions applied by the financial institutions.  Pursuant to the terms of the related facility agreements, Woodward’s foreign performance guarantee facilities are limited in use to providing performance guarantees to third parties.  There were no borrowings outstanding as of September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013 on Woodward’s other foreign lines of credit and foreign overdraft facilities.
	Long-term debt
	Long-term debt consisted of the following:
			September 30,			September 30,
			2014			2013
	Revolving credit facility - Floating rate (LIBOR plus 0.85% - 1.65%), due July 2018, unsecured		$	210,000		$	-
	Series B notes – 5.63%, due October 2013; unsecured			-			100,000
	Series C notes – 5.92%, due October 2015; unsecured			50,000			50,000
	Series D notes – 6.39%, due October 2018; unsecured			100,000			100,000
	Series E notes – 7.81%, due April 2016; unsecured			57,000			57,000
	Series F notes – 8.24%, due April 2019; unsecured			43,000			43,000
	Series G notes – 3.42%, due November 2020; unsecured			50,000			-
	Series H notes – 4.03%, due November 2023; unsecured			25,000			-
	Series I notes – 4.18%, due November 2025; unsecured			25,000			-
	Series J notes – Floating rate (LIBOR plus 1.25%), due November 2020; unsecured			50,000			-
	Series K notes – 4.03%, due November 2023; unsecured			50,000			-
	Series L notes – 4.18%, due November 2025; unsecured			50,000			-
	Long-term borrowings under Line of Credit - Variable rate of 1.06% at September 30, 2013; unsecured			-			200,000
	Total debt			710,000			550,000
	Less: current portion of long-term debt			-			-100,000
	Long-term debt, excluding current portion		$	710,000		$	450,000
	The Notes
	In October 2008, Woodward entered into a note purchase agreement (the “2008 Note Purchase Agreement”) relating to the Series B, C, and D Notes (the “2008 Notes”).  In April 2009, Woodward entered into a note purchase agreement (the “2009 Note Purchase Agreement”) relating to the Series E and F Notes (the “2009 Notes”).
	On October 1, 2013, Woodward entered into a note purchase agreement (the “2013 Note Purchase Agreement” and, together with the 2008 Note Purchase Agreement and the 2009 Note Purchase Agreement, the “Note Purchase Agreements”) relating to the sale by Woodward of an aggregate principal amount of $250,000 of its senior unsecured notes in a series of private placement transactions.
	Woodward issued the Series G, H and I Notes (the “First Closing Notes”) on October 1, 2013 and used the proceeds to repay all of the outstanding balance on the Series B Notes due October 1, 2013.
	Woodward issued the Series J, K and L Notes (the “Second Closing Notes” and, together with the 2008 Notes, 2009 Notes and First Closing Notes, the “Notes”) on November 15, 2013 and used the proceeds to partially repay the uncommitted line of credit as discussed below.
	Interest on the 2008 Notes, the First Closing Notes, and the Series K and L Notes is payable semi-annually on April 1 and October 1 of each year until all principal is paid.  Interest on the 2009 Notes is payable semi-annually on April 15 and October 15 of each year until all principal is paid.  Interest on the Series J Notes is payable quarterly on January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1 of each year until all principal is paid.  As of September 30, 2014, the Series J Notes bore interest at an effective rate of 1.49%.
	None of the Notes were registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and they may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.  Holders of the Notes do not have any registration rights.
	All of the issued Notes are held by multiple institutions.
	Woodward’s obligations under the Notes are guaranteed by Woodward FST, Inc., Woodward MPC, Inc., and Woodward HRT, Inc., each of which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Woodward.  Woodward’s obligations under the Notes rank equal in right of payment with all of Woodward’s other unsecured unsubordinated debt, including its outstanding debt under its revolving credit facility.
	On October 1, 2013, Woodward also entered into amendments to the 2008 Note Purchase Agreement and 2009 Note Purchase Agreement that, among other things, conformed certain of the affirmative and negative covenants in the 2008 Note Purchase Agreement and the 2009 Note Purchase Agreement, respectively, to the corresponding covenant provisions in the 2013 Note Purchase Agreement.
	The Note Purchase Agreements contain restrictive covenants customary for such financings, including, among other things, covenants that place limits on Woodward’s ability to incur liens on assets, incur additional debt (including a leverage or coverage based maintenance test), transfer or sell Woodward’s assets, merge or consolidate with other persons and enter into material transactions with affiliates.  Under the financial covenants contained in the Note Purchase Agreements, Woodward’s priority debt may not exceed, at any time, 25% of its consolidated net worth.  Woodward’s Leverage Ratio cannot exceed 4.0 to 1.0 during any material acquisition period, or 3.5 to 1.0 at any other time on a rolling four quarter basis. In the event that Woodward’s Leverage Ratio exceeds 3.5 to 1.0 during any material acquisition period, the interest rate on each series of Notes will increase.  Further, Woodward’s consolidated net worth must at all times equal or exceed $800,000 plus 50% of Woodward’s consolidated net earnings for each fiscal year beginning with the fiscal year ending September 30, 2014.  The Note Purchase Agreements also contain customary events of default, including certain cross-default provisions related to Woodward’s other outstanding debt arrangements in excess of $60,000, the occurrence of which would permit the holders of the respective Notes to accelerate the amounts due.
	Woodward, at its option, is permitted at any time to prepay all, or from time to time to prepay any part of, the then outstanding principal amount of any series of the Notes at 100% of the principal amount of the series of Notes to be prepaid (but, in the case of partial prepayment, not less than $1,000), together with interest accrued on such amount to be prepaid to the date of payment, plus any applicable prepayment compensation amount. The prepayment compensation amount, as to the Notes other than the floating rate Notes, is computed by discounting the remaining scheduled payments of interest and principal of the Notes being prepaid at a discount rate equal to the sum of 50 basis points and the yield to maturity of U.S. Treasury securities having a maturity equal to the remaining average life of the Notes being prepaid. The prepayment compensation amount, as to the floating rate Notes, generally is computed as a percentage of the principal amount of such floating rate Notes equal to (a) 2%, on or prior to November 15, 2014, (b) 1%, after November 15, 2014 and on or prior to November 15, 2015, and (c) 0% after November 15, 2015.
	Required future principal payments of the Notes as of September 30, 2014 are as follows:
	Year Ending September 30:
	2015		$	-
	2016			107,000
	2017			-
	2018			-
	2019			143,000
	Thereafter			250,000
			$	500,000
	In October 2008, Woodward entered into a term loan credit agreement (the “2008 Term Loan Credit Agreement”).  During the second quarter of fiscal year 2013, the remaining outstanding indebtedness under the 2008 Term Loan Credit Agreement, which generally bore interest at LIBOR plus 1.00% to 2.25%, was repaid and terminated, without penalty, and the remaining balance of unamortized debt issuance costs of $128 were written off to interest expense.
	Certain financial and other covenants under Woodward's debt agreements contain customary restrictions on the operation of its business.  In the event of non-compliance with these covenants, certain additional restrictions might apply, including restrictions on the Company's ability to pay dividends or make distributions on its capital stock.    Management believes that Woodward was in compliance with the covenants under the long-term debt agreements at September 30, 2014.
	Line of Credit
	In connection with the acquisition of the Duarte Business, on December 21, 2012 Woodward entered into a 364 day uncommitted line of credit with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (the “Line of Credit”).  The Line of Credit provided for unsecured loans to Woodward of up to $200,000 on a revolving basis.  Loans made under the Line of Credit bore interest at a floating rate based, at the Company’s option, on either the prime rate or an adjusted LIBOR.  The Line of Credit was repaid in full and terminated on December 20, 2013.
	The proceeds from the Line of Credit were used to finance the acquisition of the Duarte Business as discussed in Note 4, Business acquisitions.  The Company incurred no financing fees in association with the Line of Credit.
	Woodward classified the $200,000 outstanding on the Line of Credit as long-term as of September 30, 2013 based on its intention to refinance in fiscal year 2014.
	Debt Issuance Costs
	In connection with the 2013 Note Purchase Agreement, in fiscal year 2014, Woodward incurred $1,297 in financing costs, which are deferred and will be amortized using the straight-line method over the life of the agreement.
In connection with the Revolving Credit Agreement, in fiscal year 2013, Woodward incurred $1,651 in financing costs, which are deferred and will be amortized using the straight-line method over the life of the agreement.  Woodward also had remaining $1,529 of deferred financing costs incurred in connection with its prior revolving credit facility, which have been combined with the financing costs associated with the Revolving Credit Agreement and are being amortized using the straight-line method over the life of the Revolving Credit Agreement.
Amounts recognized as interest expense from the amortization of debt issuance costs were $1,014 in fiscal year 2014, $1,045 in fiscal year 2013, and $1,074 in fiscal year 2012.  Woodward had $4,276 of unamortized debt issuance costs as of September 30, 2014 and $3,869 of unamortized debt issuance costs as of September 30, 2013.  Amortization of debt issuance costs is included in operating activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Accrued_Liabilities

Accrued Liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accrued Liabilities	'
Accrued Liabilities	'
	Note 13.  Accrued liabilities
		At September 30,
		2014			2013
	Salaries and other member benefits	$	95,031		$	66,212
	Warranties		16,916			15,224
	Interest payable		12,487			11,437
	Current portion of acquired performance obligations and unfavorable contracts (1)		16,432			23,977
	Accrued retirement benefits		2,286			2,276
	Deferred revenues		6,108			6,304
	Taxes, other than income		8,557			6,504
	Other		14,914			29,807
		$	172,731		$	161,741
		-1		For more information about acquired performance obligations and unfavorable contracts, see Note 4, Business acquisitions.
	Warranties
	Provisions of Woodward’s sales agreements include product warranties customary to these types of agreements.  Accruals are established for specifically identified warranty issues that are probable to result in future costs.  Warranty costs are accrued on a non-specific basis whenever past experience indicates a normal and predictable pattern exists.  Changes in accrued product warranties for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012 were as follows:
		At September 30,
		2014			2013		2012
	Warranties, beginning of period	$	15,224		$	15,742	$	14,083
	Expense		10,700			12,037		14,543
	Increases due to acquisition of Duarte Business		-			157		-
	Reductions for settling warranties		-8,448			-13,051		-12,587
	Foreign currency exchange rate changes		-560			339		-297
	Warranties, end of period	$	16,916		$	15,224	$	15,742

Other_Liabilities

Other Liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Other Liabilities	'
Other Liabilities	'
	Note 14.  Other liabilities
			At September 30,
			2014		2013
	Net accrued retirement benefits, less amounts recognized within accrued liabilities		$	38,850	$	39,956
	Total unrecognized tax benefits, net of offsetting adjustments			14,707		20,343
	Acquired performance obligations and unfavorable contracts (1)			12,792		23,951
	Deferred economic incentives (2)			18,408		8,266
	Other			16,454		12,994
			$	101,211	$	105,510
		-1		For more information about acquired performance obligations and unfavorable contracts, see Note 4, Business acquisitions.
		-2		Woodward receives certain economic incentives from various state and local taxing authorities not included in income tax expense related to capital expansion projects.  Such amounts are initially recorded as deferred credits and will be recognized as a reduction to expense over the economic lives of the related capital expansion projects.

Other_Income_Expense_Net

Other (Income) Expense, Net	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Other (Income) Expense, Net	'
Other (Income) Expense, Net	'
	Note 15.  Other (income) expense, net
		Year Ended September 30,
		2014		2013		2012
	Net (gain) loss on sale of assets	$	166	$	-100	$	16
	Rent income		-565		-555		-504
	Net gain on investments in deferred compensation program		-794		-946		-1,052
	Other		-107		-21		-40
		$	-1,300	$	-1,622	$	-1,580

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Taxes	'
Income Taxes	'
	Note 16.  Income taxes
	Income taxes consisted of the following:
				Year Ended September 30,
				2014			2013			2012
	Current:
		Federal		$	48,327		$	29,438		$	47,862
		State			5,752			4,760			4,452
		Foreign			16,594			10,612			11,594
	Deferred:
		Federal			-4,378			13,904			-9,632
		State			-2,966			885			-200
		Foreign			-1,929			-5,970			2,142
				$	61,400		$	53,629		$	56,218
	Earnings before income taxes by geographical area consisted of the following:
			Year Ended September 30,
			2014			2013			2012
	United States		$	148,837		$	148,604		$	146,535
	Other countries			78,407			50,967			51,272
			$	227,244		$	199,571		$	197,807
	Significant components of deferred income taxes presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets are related to the following:
				At September 30,
				2014			2013
	Deferred tax assets:
		Defined benefit plans, Other postretirement		$	10,762		$	10,563
		Foreign net operating loss carryforwards			5,552			7,058
		Inventory			21,608			16,944
		Deferred and stock-based compensation			24,987			18,657
		Defined benefit pension			227			866
		Other reserves			10,513			9,055
		Credits and incentives			8,178			8,046
		Other			11,422			10,584
		Valuation allowance			-9,486			-11,783
		Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance			83,763			69,990
	Deferred tax liabilities:
		Goodwill and intangibles - net			-96,493			-97,804
		Property, plant and equipment			-18,288			-17,175
		Other			-7,419			-3,391
		Total deferred tax liabilities			-122,200			-118,370
	Net deferred tax liabilities			$	-38,437		$	-48,380
	Woodward has recorded a net operating loss (“NOL”) deferred tax asset of $5,552 as of September 30, 2014 and $7,058 as of September 30, 2013.  A portion of these carryforwards will expire by 2020 and are currently offset by a valuation allowance, while the remaining portion has an indefinite carryforward period and has no valuation allowance against it.
	Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.  Both positive and negative evidence are considered in forming Woodward’s judgment as to whether a valuation allowance is appropriate, and more weight is given to evidence that can be objectively verified.  Valuation allowances are reassessed whenever there are changes in circumstances that may cause a change in judgment.  The change in the valuation allowance was primarily the result of current year earnings in a wholly owned subsidiary that had net operating losses subject to a full valuation allowance, and a change in judgment about the utilization of tax credits in various jurisdictions.
	At September 30, 2014, Woodward has not provided for taxes on undistributed foreign earnings of $253,797 that it considered indefinitely reinvested.  These earnings could become subject to income taxes if they are remitted as dividends, are loaned to Woodward or any of Woodward’s subsidiaries located in the United States, or if Woodward sells its stock in the foreign subsidiaries.  Any additional U.S. taxes could be offset, in part or in whole, by foreign tax credits.  The amount of such taxes and application of tax credits would be dependent on the income tax laws and other circumstances at the time these amounts are repatriated.  Based on these variables, it is impractical to determine the income tax liability that might be incurred if these funds were to be repatriated.
	The following is a reconciliation of the U.S. Federal statutory tax rate of 35 percent to Woodward’s effective income tax rate:
				Year Ending September 30,
	Percent of pretax earnings			2014			2013			2012
	Statutory tax rate			35.0	%		35.0	%		35.0	%
	State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit			1.3			1.8			1.6
	Taxes on international activities			-3.7			-1.7			-3.3
	Research credit			-0.7			-3.1			-0.8
	Retroactive extension of research credit			-			-2.5			-
	Domestic production activities deduction			-1.3			-2			-1.9
	Adjustments of prior period tax items			-2.9			-0.6			-1.5
	Other items, net			-0.7			-			-0.7
	Effective tax rate			27.0	%		26.9	%		28.4	%
	In determining the tax amounts in Woodward’s financial statements, estimates are sometimes used that are subsequently adjusted in the actual filing of tax returns or by updated calculations.  In addition, we occasionally have resolutions of tax items with tax authorities related to prior years due to the conclusion of audits and the lapse of applicable statutes of limitations.   Such adjustments are included in the “Adjustments of prior period tax items” line in the above table.  The majority of the fiscal year 2014 adjustments are related to the conclusion of audits, effective settlement, and lapse of applicable statutes of limitations in various tax jurisdictions.
	On January 2, 2013, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (the “Taxpayer Relief Act”) was enacted, which retroactively extended the U.S. research and experimentation tax credit through December 31, 2013.  As a result, income taxes for the year ended September 30, 2013 included a net expense reduction related to the retroactive impact from the last three quarters of fiscal year 2012 of the U.S. research and experimentation tax credit pursuant to the Taxpayer Relief Act.
	Income taxes for the year ended September 30, 2012 included a tax benefit of $3,326 related to a reduction in the anticipated amount of undistributed earnings of certain of Woodward’s foreign subsidiaries that were previously expected to be repatriated to the United States within the foreseeable future.  Woodward anticipates that a portion of those earnings will remain indefinitely invested outside the United States and accordingly it reversed the deferred tax liability associated with repatriating those earnings.  This item is included in the “Taxes on international activities” line in the rate reconciliation above.
	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amounts of gross unrecognized tax benefits follows:
			Year Ending September 30,
			2014			2013			2012
	Beginning balance		$	22,694		$	18,069		$	16,931
	Additions to current year tax positions			8,830			5,587			1,444
	Reductions to prior year tax positions			-9,684			-			-169
Additions to prior year tax positions			1,844			1,079			-
Lapse of applicable statute of limitations			-997			-2,041			-137
Ending balance		$	22,687		$	22,694		$	18,069
Included in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits are $12,807 as of September 30, 2014 and $17,838 as of September 30, 2013 of tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate.  At this time, Woodward estimates that it is reasonably possible that the liability for unrecognized tax benefits will decrease by as much as $114 in the next twelve months due to the completion of reviews by tax authorities and the expiration of certain statutes of limitations.  Woodward accrues for potential interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in tax expense.  Woodward had accrued interest and penalties of $1,158 as of September 30, 2014 and $2,066 as of September 30, 2013.
Woodward’s tax returns are audited by U.S., state, and foreign tax authorities, and these audits are at various stages of completion at any given time.  Reviews of tax matters by authorities and lapses of the applicable statutes of limitations may result in changes to tax expense.  With a few exceptions, Woodward’s fiscal years remaining open to examination in the United States include fiscal years 2011 and thereafter, and fiscal years remaining open to examination in significant foreign jurisdictions include 2005 and thereafter.

Retirement_Benefits

Retirement Benefits	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Retirement Benefits - General	'
Retirement Benefits	'
	Note 17.  Retirement benefits
	Woodward provides various benefits to eligible members of the Company, including contributions to various defined contribution plans, pension benefits associated with defined benefit plans, postretirement medical benefits and postretirement life insurance benefits.  Eligibility requirements and benefit levels vary depending on employee location.
	Defined contribution plans
	Most of the Company’s U.S. employees are eligible to participate in the U.S. defined contribution plan.  The U.S. defined contribution plan allows employees to defer part of their annual income for income tax purposes into their personal 401(k) accounts.  The Company makes contributions to eligible employee accounts, which are also deferred for employee personal income tax purposes.  Certain foreign employees are also eligible to participate in foreign plans.
	Most of Woodward’s U.S. employees with at least two years of service receive an annual contribution of Woodward stock, equal to 5% of their eligible prior year wages, to their personal Woodward Retirement Savings Plan accounts.  In the second quarter of fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012, Woodward fulfilled the annual Woodward stock contribution using shares held in treasury stock by issuing 260 shares of common stock for a total value of $11,193 in fiscal year 2014, 250 shares of common stock for a total value of $9,780 in fiscal year 2013, and 209 shares of common stock for a total value of $9,335 in fiscal year 2012.  The Woodward Retirement Savings Plan held 5,176 shares of Woodward stock as of September 30, 2014 and 5,681 shares as of September 30, 2013.
	The amount of expense associated with defined contribution plans was as follows:
				Year Ended September 30,
			2014			2013			2012
	Company costs		$	24,921		$	20,012		$	18,296
	Defined benefit plans
	Woodward has defined benefit plans that provide pension benefits for certain retired employees in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan.  During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2014, a defined benefit pension plan for certain employees in California was amended.  The amendment froze the benefits of certain members and resulted in a curtailment gain in the U.S.  During the third quarter of fiscal year 2014, Woodward terminated it defined benefit pension plan in Switzerland due to workforce reductions related to the closure of Woodward’s Swiss facility in connection with the realignment of the renewable power business that occurred in the third quarter of fiscal year 2013.  Woodward also provides other postretirement benefits to its employees including postretirement medical benefits and life insurance benefits.  Postretirement medical benefits are provided to certain current and retired employees and their covered dependants and beneficiaries in the United States and the United Kingdom.  Life insurance benefits are provided to certain retirees in the United States under frozen plans, which are no longer available to current employees.  A September 30 measurement date is utilized to value plan assets and obligations for all of Woodward’s defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans.
	In connection with the acquisition of the Duarte Business (see Note 4, Business acquisitions), Woodward did not assume the Seller’s postretirement benefit obligations under the Duarte Business’ defined benefit pension plan as they existed at the time of closing of the transaction.  Under the terms of the Asset Purchase Agreement, Woodward established a new defined benefit pension plan for the Duarte Business employees who were beneficiaries of the Seller’s defined benefit pension plan (the “Duarte Pension Plan”).  Subsequently, Woodward and the Duarte Union agreed that, effective as of the close of business on July 31, 2013, the Duarte Pension Plan was amended to cease all future benefit accruals to current participants in the plan.  In addition, the Duarte Pension Plan was frozen to new entrants as of July 31, 2013.
	In addition to the Duarte Pension Plan, excluding the Woodward HRT Plan, the defined benefit plans in the United States were frozen in fiscal year 2007 and no additional employees may participate in the U.S. plans and no additional service costs will be incurred.
	Pension plans
	The actuarial assumptions used in measuring the net periodic benefit cost and plan obligations of retirement pension benefits were as follows:
		2014			2013			2012
	United States:
	Weighted-average assumptions to determine benefit obligation at September 30:
	Discount rate	4.40	%		5.15	%		4.10	%
	Rate of compensation increase	3.50			3.50			3.50
	Weighted-average assumptions to determine periodic benefit costs for years ended September 30:
	Discount rate	5.15			4.10			5.55
	Rate of compensation increase	3.50			3.50			4.00
	Long-term rate of return on plan assets	7.62			7.59			7.89
	United Kingdom:
	Weighted-average assumptions to determine benefit obligation at September 30:
	Discount rate	4.10	%		4.50	%		4.60	%
	Rate of compensation increase	3.50			3.50			3.90
	Weighted-average assumptions to determine periodic benefit costs for years ended September 30:
	Discount rate	4.50			4.60			5.10
	Rate of compensation increase	3.50			3.90			4.30
	Long-term rate of return on plan assets	5.50			5.50			6.00
	Japan:
	Weighted-average assumptions to determine benefit obligation at September 30:
	Discount rate	1.10	%		1.25	%		1.50	%
	Rate of compensation increase	2.00			2.00			2.00
	Weighted-average assumptions to determine periodic benefit costs for years ended September 30:
	Discount rate	1.25			1.50			1.50
	Rate of compensation increase	2.00			2.00			2.00
	Long-term rate of return on plan assets	3.00			2.80			2.80
	Switzerland:
	Weighted-average assumptions to determine benefit obligation at September 30:
	Discount rate	n/a			2.25	%		1.75	%
	Rate of compensation increase	n/a			2.00			2.00
	Weighted-average assumptions to determine periodic benefit costs for years ended September 30:
	Discount rate	2.25			1.75			2.50
	Rate of compensation increase	2.00			2.00			2.00
	Long-term rate of return on plan assets	2.25			1.75			2.50
	The discount rate assumption is intended to reflect the rate at which the retirement benefits could be effectively settled based upon the assumed timing of the benefit payments.  In the United States, Woodward used a bond portfolio matching analysis based on recently traded, non-callable bonds rated AA or better that have at least $50 million outstanding.    In the United Kingdom and Japan, Woodward used cash flow matching to develop a single rate equivalent for a theoretical portfolio of non-callable, AA-rated bonds for each jurisdiction.    In Switzerland, Woodward used high quality swap rates plus a credit spread of 0.20% in fiscal year 2013 and 0.46% in fiscal year 2012, as high quality swaps are available in Switzerland at various durations and trade at higher volumes than bonds.  Woodward’s assumed rate in Switzerland  did not differ significantly from this benchmark.
	Compensation increase assumptions are based upon historical experience and anticipated future management actions.
	In determining the long-term rate of return on plan assets, Woodward assumes that the historical long-term compound growth rates of equity and fixed-income securities will predict the future returns of similar investments in the plan portfolio.  Investment management and other fees paid out of the plan assets are factored into the determination of asset return assumptions.
	Net periodic benefit costs consist of the following components reflected as expense in Woodward’s Consolidated Statements of Earnings:
			Year Ended September 30,
			United States									Other Countries						Total
			2014			2013			2012			2014		2013		2012		2014		2013		2012
	Service cost		$	3,516		$	4,608		$	3,530		$	988	$	1,052	$	1,136	$	4,504	$	5,660	$	4,666
	Interest cost			6,382			5,569			5,816			2,410		2,113		2,280		8,792		7,682		8,096
	Expected return on plan assets			-9,813			-8,183			-7,008			-3,070		-2,610		-2,584		-12,883		-10,793		-9,592
	Amortization of:
	Net (gains) losses			330			1,374			524			655		465		665		985		1,839		1,189
	Net prior service (benefit) cost			97			75			75			-4		-8		-9		93		67		66
	Settlement costs			-			-			-			-		37		56		-		37		56
	Curtailment (benefits)			-6,624			-			-			-915		-		-		-7,539		-		-
Net periodic (benefit) cost		$	-6,112		$	3,443		$	2,937		$	64	$	1,049	$	1,544	$	-6,048	$	4,492	$	4,481
The curtailment gain in “United States” in the year ended September 30, 2014 pertained to amendments made to one of Woodward’s plans that resulted in a freeze to the benefits of certain U.S. employees in California.
The curtailment gain in “Other Countries” in the year ended September 30, 2014 pertained to workforce reductions related to the closure of Woodward’s Swiss facility in connection with the realignment of the renewable power business that occurred in the third quarter of fiscal year 2013.
Settlement costs were expensed in fiscal years 2013 and 2012 as a result of normal attrition among participants in the Company's defined benefit plan in Switzerland.
The following tables provide a reconciliation of the changes in the projected benefit obligation and fair value of assets for the defined benefit pension plans:
		At or for the Year Ended September 30,
		United States						Other Countries					Total
		2014			2013			2014			2013		2014		2013
Changes in projected benefit obligation:
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year		$	126,532		$	137,639		$	63,891		$	60,837	$	190,423	$	198,476
Service cost			3,516			4,608			988			1,052		4,504		5,660
Interest cost			6,382			5,569			2,410			2,113		8,792		7,682
Net actuarial (gains) losses			12,446			-18,165			3,015			5,550		15,461		-12,615
Contribution by participants			-			12			91			241		91		253
Benefits paid			-3,732			-3,131			-2,318			-2,605		-6,050		-5,736
Amounts paid by Company for Pension Protection Fund levy			-			-			-13			-2		-13		-2
Plan amendments			3,355			-			-			-		3,355		-
Settlements			-			-			-1,985			-406		-1,985		-406
Curtailments			-10,759			-			-1,499			-271		-12,258		-271
Foreign currency exchange rate changes			-			-			-1,045			-2,618		-1,045		-2,618
Projected benefit obligation at end of year		$	137,740		$	126,532		$	63,535		$	63,891	$	201,275	$	190,423
Changes in fair value of plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year		$	129,518		$	105,966		$	60,657		$	55,537	$	190,175	$	161,503
Actual return on plan assets			15,764			10,621			5,212			6,541		20,976		17,162
Contributions by the company			540			16,050			2,422			3,187		2,962		19,237
Contributions by plan participants			-			12			91			241		91		253
Benefits paid			-3,732			-3,131			-2,318			-2,605		-6,050		-5,736
Settlements			-			-			-1,985			-406		-1,985		-406
Foreign currency exchange rate changes			-			-			-1,008			-1,838		-1,008		-1,838
Fair value of plan assets at end of year		$	142,090		$	129,518		$	63,071		$	60,657	$	205,161	$	190,175
Net over/(under)funded status at end of year		$	4,350		$	2,986		$	-464		$	-3,234	$	3,886	$	-248
At September 30, 2014, the Company’s defined benefit pension plans in the United Kingdom represented $52,710 of the total projected benefit obligation and in Japan represented $10,825 of the total projected benefit obligation.  At September 30, 2014, the United Kingdom represented $52,260 of the total fair value of plan assets and Japan represented $10,811 of the total fair value of plan assets.
The accumulated benefit obligations of the Company’s defined benefit pension plans in the United States was $137,423  and in Other Countries was $61,041 at September 30, 2014, and in the United States was $116,061 and in Other Countries was $60,701 at September 30, 2013.
		Plans with accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets						Plans with accumulated benefit obligation less than plan assets
		At September 30,						At September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
Projected benefit obligation		$	-25,955		$	-38,473		$	-175,320		$	-151,950
Accumulated benefit obligation			-25,955			-36,739			-172,509			-140,023
Fair value of plan assets			24,671			34,717			180,490			155,458
The following tables provide the amounts recognized in the statement of financial position and accumulated comprehensive income for the defined benefit pension plans:
		At or for the Year Ended September 30,
		United States						Other Countries					Total
		2014			2013			2014			2013		2014		2013
Amounts recognized in statement of financial position
consist of:
Other non-current assets		$	5,634		$	4,154		$	-		$	-	$	5,634	$	4,154
Other non-current liabilities			-1,284			-1,168			-464			-3,234		-1,748		-4,402
Net over/(under)funded status at end of year		$	4,350		$	2,986		$	-464		$	-3,234	$	3,886	$	-248
Amounts recognized in accumulated other
comprehensive income consist of:
Unrecognized net prior service (benefit) cost		$	4,624		$	1,367		$	-		$	-4	$	4,624	$	1,363
Unrecognized net (gains) losses			9,867			7,841			11,902			12,371		21,769		20,212
Total amounts recognized			14,491			9,208			11,902			12,367		26,393		21,575
Deferred taxes			-5,527			-3,499			-4,131			-4,203		-9,658		-7,702
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income		$	8,964		$	5,709		$	7,771		$	8,164	$	16,735	$	13,873
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income were as follows:
		Year Ended September 30,
		United States						Other Countries					Total
		2014			2013			2014			2013		2014		2013
Net (gain) loss		$	-4,269		$	-20,604		$	-622		$	1,349	$	-4,891	$	-19,255
Prior service cost			3,355			-			-			-		3,355	$	-
Loss (gain) due to settlement or curtailment arising during the period			6,624			-			915			-36		7,539		-36
Amortization of:
Net gains (losses)			-330			-1,374			-655			-464		-985		-1,838
Prior service benefit (cost)			-97			-75			4			7		-93		-68
Foreign currency exchange rate changes			-			-			-107			-673		-107		-673
Total recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss (income)		$	5,283		$	-22,053		$	-465		$	183	$	4,818	$	-21,870
The amounts expected to be amortized from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income and reported as a component of net periodic benefit cost during fiscal year 2015 are as follows:
		United States			Other Countries			Total
Prior service (benefit) cost		$	383		$	-		$	383
Net actuarial (gains) losses			396			466			862
Pension benefit payments are made from the assets of the pension plans.  Using foreign exchange rates as of September 30, 2014 and expected future service assumptions, it is anticipated that the future benefit payments will be as follows:
Year Ending September 30,		United States			Other Countries			Total
2015		$	4,760		$	2,353		$	7,113
2016			5,291			2,363			7,654
2017			5,897			2,554			8,451
2018			6,520			2,574			9,094
2019			7,154			3,036			10,190
2020 – 2024			43,682			14,756			58,438
Woodward expects its pension plan contributions in fiscal year 2015 will be $21 in the United States, $1,507 in the United Kingdom, and $1,045 in Japan.
Pension plan assets
The overall investment objective of the pension plan assets is to earn a rate of return over time which, when combined with Company contributions, satisfies the benefit obligations of the pension plans and maintains sufficient liquidity to pay benefits.
As the timing and nature of the plan obligations varies for each Company sponsored pension plan, investment strategies have been individually designed for each pension plan with a common focus on maintaining diversified investment portfolios that provide for long-term growth while minimizing the risk to principal associated with short-term market behavior.  The strategy for each of the plans balances the requirements to generate returns, using investments expected to produce higher returns, such as equity securities, with the need to control risk within the pension plans using less volatile investment assets, such as debt securities.  A strategy of more equity-oriented allocation is adopted for those plans which have a longer-term investment plan based on the timing of the associated benefit obligations.
A pension oversight committee is assigned by the Company to each pension plan.  Among other responsibilities, each committee is responsible for all asset class allocation decisions.  Asset class allocations, which are reviewed by the respective pension committee on at least an annual basis, are designed to meet or exceed certain market benchmarks which align with each plan’s investment objectives.  In evaluating the asset allocation choices, consideration is given to the proper long-term level of risk for each plan, particularly with respect to the long-term nature of each plan’s liabilities, the impact of asset allocation on investment results and the corresponding impact on the volatility and magnitude of plan contributions and expense and the impact certain actuarial techniques may have on the plans’ recognition of investment experience.  From time to time, the plans may move outside the prescribed asset class allocation in order to meet significant liabilities with respect to one or more individuals approaching retirement.
Risks associated with the plan assets include interest rate fluctuation risk, market fluctuation risk, risk of default by debt issuers and liquidity risk.  To manage these risks, the assets are managed by established, professional investment firms and performance is evaluated regularly by the Company’s pension oversight committee against specific benchmarks and each plan’s investment objectives.  Liability management and asset class diversification are central to the Company’s risk management approach and overall investment strategy.
The assets of the U.S. plans are invested in actively managed mutual funds.  The assets of the plan in Japan and the plan in the United Kingdom are invested in actively managed pooled investment funds.  Each individual mutual fund or pooled investment fund has been selected based on the investment strategy of the related plan, which mirrors a specific asset class within the associated target allocation.  The assets of the plan in Switzerland were insured through an insurance contract that guaranteed a federally mandated annual rate of return.  Pension plan assets at September 30, 2014 and 2013 do not include any direct investment in Woodward’s common stock.
The asset allocations are monitored and rebalanced regularly by investment managers assigned to the individual pension plans.  The actual allocations of pension plan assets and target allocation ranges by asset class, are as follows:
		At September 30,
		2014						2013
		Percentage of Plan Assets		Target Allocation Ranges				Percentage of Plan Assets		Target Allocation Ranges
United States:
Asset Class
Equity Securities		60.0%		40.7%	-	80.7%		61.7%		40.70%	-	80.70%
Debt Securities		39.8%		29.3%	-	49.3%		38.1%		29.30%	-	49.30%
Other		0.2%		0.00%				0.2%		0.00%
		100.0%						100.0%
United Kingdom:
Asset Class
Equity Securities		48.2%		40.00%	-	70.00%		48.4%		40.00%	-	70.00%
Debt Securities		51.7%		35.00%	-	65.00%		51.5%		35.00%	-	65.00%
Other		0.1%		0.00%				0.1%		0.00%
		100.0%						100.0%
Japan:
Asset Class
Equity Securities		40.7%		36.00%	-	44.00%		41.3%		36.00%	-	44.00%
Debt Securities		58.4%		55.00%	-	63.00%		57.8%		55.00%	-	63.00%
Other		0.9%		0.00%	-	2.00%		0.9%		0.00%	-	2.00%
		100.0%						100.0%
Switzerland:
Asset Class
Equity Securities		n/a		n/a				0.0%		0.00%
Debt Securities		n/a		n/a				0.0%		0.00%
Other		n/a		n/a				100.0%		100.00%
								100.0%
Actual allocations to each asset class can vary from target allocations due to periodic market value fluctuations, investment strategy changes, and the timing of benefit payments and contributions.
The following table presents Woodward’s pension plan assets using the fair value hierarchy established by U.S. GAAP as of September 30, 2014.
		At September 30, 2014
		Level 1						Level 2					Level 3
		United States			Other Countries			United States			Other Countries		United States		Other Countries		Total
Asset Category:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	316		$	168		$	-		$	-	$	-	$	-	$	484
Mutual funds:
U.S. corporate bond fund			56,559			-			-			-		-		-		56,559
U.S. equity large cap fund			49,220			-			-			-		-		-		49,220
International equity large cap growth fund			35,995			-			-			-		-		-		35,995
Pooled funds:
Japanese equity securities			-			-			-			2,330		-		-		2,330
International equity securities			-			-			-			2,067		-		-		2,067
Japanese fixed income securities			-			-			-			4,676		-		-		4,676
International fixed income securities			-			-			-			1,638		-		-		1,638
Global target return equity/bond fund			-			-			-			12,327		-		-		12,327
Index linked U.K. equity fund			-			-			-			6,240		-		-		6,240
Index linked international equity fund			-			-			-			6,593		-		-		6,593
Index linked U.K. corporate bonds fund			-			-			-			16,897		-		-		16,897
Index linked U.K.  government securities fund			-			-			-			4,566		-		-		4,566
Index linked U.K. long-term government securities fund			-			-			-			5,569		-		-		5,569
Total assets		$	142,090		$	168		$	-		$	62,903	$	-	$	-	$	205,161
		At September 30, 2013
		Level 1						Level 2					Level 3
		United States			Other Countries			United States			Other Countries		United States		Other Countries		Total
Asset Category:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	273		$	149		$	-		$	-	$	-	$	-	$	422
Mutual funds:
U.S. corporate bond fund			49,328			-			-			-		-		-		49,328
U.S. equity large cap fund			44,140			-			-			-		-		-		44,140
International equity large cap growth fund			35,777			-			-			-		-		-		35,777
Pooled funds:
Japanese equity securities			-			-			-			2,269		-		-		2,269
International equity securities			-			-			-			1,989		-		-		1,989
Japanese fixed income securities			-			-			-			4,414		-		-		4,414
International fixed income securities			-			-			-			1,535		-		-		1,535
Global target return equity/bond fund			-			-			-			11,324		-		-		11,324
Index linked U.K. equity fund			-			-			-			6,060		-		-		6,060
Index linked international equity fund			-			-			-			6,047		-		-		6,047
Index linked U.K. corporate bonds fund			-			-			-			15,810		-		-		15,810
Index linked U.K.  government securities fund			-			-			-			4,176		-		-		4,176
Index linked U.K. long-term government securities fund			-			-			-			4,908		-		-		4,908
Insurance backed assets:
Insurance backed assets			-			-			-			-		-		1,976		1,976
Total assets		$	129,518		$	149		$	-		$	58,532	$	-	$	1,976	$	190,175
Cash and cash equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents held by the Company's pension plans are held on deposit with creditworthy financial institutions.  The fair value of the cash and cash equivalents are based on the quoted market price of the respective currency in which the cash is maintained.
Pension assets invested in mutual funds: The assets of the Company’s U.S. pension plans are invested in various mutual funds which invest in both equity and debt securities.  The fair value of the mutual funds is determined based on the quoted market price of each fund.
Pension assets invested in pooled funds: The assets of the Company’s Japan and United Kingdom pension plans are invested in pooled investment funds, which include both equity and debt securities.  The assets of the United Kingdom pension plan are invested in index-linked pooled funds which aim to replicate the movements of an underlying market index to which the fund is linked.  Fair value of the pooled funds is based on the net asset value of shares held by the plan as reported by the fund sponsors.  All pooled funds held by plans outside of the United States are considered to be invested in international equity and debt securities.  Although the underlying securities may be largely domestic to the plan holding the investment assets, the underlying assets are considered international from the perspective of the Company.
Pension assets invested in insurance backed assets:  A reputable Swiss insurer insured the assets of the Company’s Swiss pension plan.  The insurance contract guaranteed a federally mandated annual rate of return.  The value of the plan assets was effectively the value of the insurance contract.  The performance of the underlying assets held by the insurance company had no direct impact on the surrender value of the insurance contract.  The insurance backed assets were not traded and therefore had no active market.
There were no transfers into or out of Level 3 assets in fiscal years 2014 or 2013.
Other postretirement benefit plans
Woodward provides other postretirement benefits to its employees including postretirement medical benefits and life insurance benefits.  Postretirement medical benefits are provided to certain current and retired employees and their covered dependants and beneficiaries in the United States and the United Kingdom.  Benefits include the option to elect company provided medical insurance coverage to age 65 and a Medicare supplemental plan after age 65.  Life insurance benefits are provided to certain retirees in the United States under frozen plans which are no longer available to current employees.  A September 30 measurement date is utilized to value plan assets and obligations for Woodward’s other postretirement benefit plans.
The postretirement medical benefit plans, other than the plan assumed in an acquisition in fiscal year 2009, were frozen in fiscal year 2006 and no additional employees may participate in the plans.  Generally, employees who had attained age 55 and had rendered 10 or more years of service before the plans were frozen were eligible for these postretirement medical benefits.
Certain participating retirees are required to contribute to the plans in order to maintain coverage.  The plans provide postretirement medical benefits for approximately 900 retired employees and their covered dependants and beneficiaries and may provide future benefits to approximately 45 active employees and their covered dependants and beneficiaries, upon retirement, if the employees elect to participate.  All the postretirement medical plans are fully insured for retirees who have attained age 65.
The actuarial assumptions used in measuring the net periodic benefit cost and plan obligations of postretirement benefits were as follows:
	2014			2013			2012
Weighted-average discount rate used to determine benefit obligation at September 30	4.40	%		5.14	%		4.11	%
Weighted-average discount rate used to determine net periodic benefit cost for years ended September 30	5.14			4.11			5.54
The discount rate assumption is intended to reflect the rate at which the postretirement benefits could be effectively settled based upon the assumed timing of the benefit payments.  In the United States, Woodward used a bond portfolio matching analysis based on recently traded, non-callable bonds rated AA or better that have at least $50 million outstanding.    In the United Kingdom Woodward used cash flow matching to develop a single rate equivalent for a theoretical portfolio of non-callable, AA-rated bonds.
Assumed healthcare cost trend rates at September 30, were as follows:
				2014			2013
Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year				7.00	%		7.00	%
Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline
(the ultimate trend rate)				5.00	%		5.00	%
Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate				2023			2022
Healthcare costs have generally trended upward in recent years, sometimes by amounts greater than 5%.  Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for postretirement medical plans.  A one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects:
		1% increase			1% decrease
Effect on projected fiscal year 2015 service and interest cost		$	121		$	-106
Effect on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation at September 30, 2014			2,658			-2,336
Net periodic benefit costs consist of the following components reflected as expense in Woodward’s Consolidated Statements of Earnings:
		Year Ended September 30,
		2014			2013			2012
Service cost		$	47		$	71		$	70
Interest cost			1,432			1,244			1,798
Amortization of:
Net (gains) losses			-200			-68			91
Net prior service (benefit) cost			-158			-158			-550
Net periodic (benefit) cost		$	1,121		$	1,089		$	1,409
The following table provides a reconciliation of the changes in the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation and fair value of assets for the postretirement benefits for the fiscal years ended September 30:
		Year Ended September 30,
		2014			2013
Changes in accumulated postretirement benefit obligation:
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation at beginning of year		$	28,996		$	37,550
Service cost			47			71
Interest cost			1,432			1,244
Premiums paid by plan participants			1,843			1,837
Net actuarial (gains) losses			1,145			-7,501
Benefits paid			-4,243			-4,206
Foreign currency exchange rate changes			5			1
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation at end of year		$	29,225		$	28,996
Changes in fair value of plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year		$	-		$	-
Contributions by the company			2,400			2,369
Premiums paid by plan participants			1,843			1,837
Benefits paid			-4,243			-4,206
Fair value of plan assets at end of year		$	-		$	-
Funded status at end of year		$	-29,225		$	-28,996
The Company’s postretirement medical plan in the United Kingdom represents $438 of the total benefit obligation at September 30, 2014.  The Company paid $10 in medical benefits to participants of the United Kingdom postretirement medical plan in fiscal year 2014.
The following tables provide the amounts recognized in the statement of financial position and accumulated comprehensive loss (income) for the postretirement plans:
		Year Ended September 30,
		2014			2013
Amounts recognized in statement of financial position consist of:
Accrued liabilities		$	-2,262		$	-2,231
Other non-current liabilities			-26,963			-26,765
Funded status at end of year		$	-29,225		$	-28,996
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss (income) consist of:
Unrecognized net prior service (benefit) cost		$	-635		$	-794
Unrecognized net (gains) losses			-3,031			-4,379
Total amounts recognized			-3,666			-5,173
Deferred taxes			1,388			1,970
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss (income)		$	-2,278		$	-3,203
Woodward pays plan benefits from its general funds; therefore, there are no segregated plan assets as of September 30, 2014 or September 30, 2013.
The accumulated benefit obligations of the Company’s postretirement plans were $29,225 at September 30, 2014 and $28,996 at September 30, 2013.
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income were as follows:
		Year Ended September 30,
		2014			2013
Net (gain) loss		$	1,145		$	-7,501
Amortization of:
Net gains (losses)			200			68
Prior service benefit (cost)			159			158
Foreign currency exchange rate changes			3			-
Total recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss (income)		$	1,507		$	-7,275
Using foreign currency exchange rates as of September 30, 2014 and expected future service, it is anticipated that the future Company contributions to pay benefits, excluding participate contributions, will be as follows:
Year Ending September 30,
2015		$	3,778
2016			3,802
2017			3,760
2018			3,715
2019			3,686
2020 – 2024			17,264
Multiemployer defined benefit plans
Woodward operates two multiemployer defined benefit plans for certain employees in the Netherlands and Japan.  The amounts of contributions associated with the multiemployer plans were as follows:
			Year Ended September 30,
		2014			2013			2012
Company contributions		$	728		$	797		$	792
The plan in the Netherlands is a quasi-mandatory plan that covers all of Woodward’s employees in the Netherlands and is part of the Dutch national pension system.
The Company may elect to withdraw from its multiemployer plan in Japan, although it has no plans to do so. If the Company elects to withdraw from the Japanese plan, it would incur a one-time contribution cost of between $500 and $1,500.  Changes in Japanese regulations could trigger reorganization of or abolishment of the Japanese multiemployer plan, which could impact future funding levels.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity	'
	Note 18.  Stockholders’ equity
	Common Stock
	Holders of Woodward’s common stock are entitled to receive dividends when and as declared by the Board of Directors and have the right to one vote per share on all matters requiring stockholder approval.
	Dividends declared and paid during the 2014, 2013 and 2012 fiscal years were:
			Year Ended September 30,
			2014			2013			2012
	Dividends declared and paid		$	21,263		$	21,866		$	21,351
	Dividend per share amount			0.32			0.32			0.31
	Stock Repurchase Program
	In July 2010, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $200,000 of Woodward’s outstanding shares of common stock on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions over a three-year period that ended in July 2013 (the “2010 Authorization”).  Under the 2010 Authorization, Woodward purchased a total of 1,233 shares of its common stock with an aggregate purchase price of $45,754 in fiscal year 2013 and 1,132 shares of its common stock with an aggregate purchase price of $44,110 in fiscal year 2012.
	On July 24, 2013, Woodward’s Board of Directors approved a new stock repurchase plan, that replaced the 2010 Authorization, that authorizes the repurchase of up to $200,000 of its outstanding shares of common stock on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions over a three-year period that will end in July 2016 (the “2013 Authorization”).  In fiscal year 2014, Woodward purchased a total of 3,272 shares of its common stock with an aggregate purchase price of $141,488 under the 2013 Authorization.
	Stock-based compensation
	Non-qualified stock option awards and restricted stock awards are granted to key management members and directors of the Company.  The grant date for these awards is used for the measurement date.  Vesting would be accelerated in the event of retirement, disability, or death of a participant, or change in control of the Company, as defined in the individual stock option agreements.  These awards are valued as of the measurement date and are amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite vesting period for all awards, including awards with graded vesting.  Stock for exercised stock options and for restricted stock awards is issued from treasury stock shares.
	Provisions governing the outstanding awards are included in the 2006 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2006 Plan”) and the 2002 Stock Option Plan (the “2002 Plan”).  The 2006 Plan was approved by stockholders and became effective on January 25, 2006.  No further grants will be made under the 2002 Plan.  The 2006 Plan made 7,410 shares of Woodward’s common stock available for grants made on or after January 25, 2006, to members and directors of the Company, subject to annual award limits as specified in the 2006 Plan.  There were 2,455 shares of Woodward’s common stock available for future grants as of September 30, 2014.
	Stock-based compensation expense recognized was as follows:
			Year Ended September 30,
			2014			2013			2012
	Employee stock-based compensation expense		$	11,241		$	9,414		$	8,628
	Stock options
	The 2006 Plan provides for the grant of up to 7,410 shares of Woodward’s common stock, including in the form of stock options, to its employees and directors.  Woodward believes that these stock options align the interests of its employees and directors with those of its stockholders.  Stock option awards are granted with an exercise price equal to the market price of Woodward’s stock at the date of grant, a  ten-year term, and generally a  four-year vesting schedule at a rate of 25% per year.
	The fair value of options granted was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes-Merton option-valuation model using the assumptions in the following table.  Woodward calculates the expected term, which represents the period of time that stock options granted are expected to be outstanding, based upon historical experience of plan participants.  Expected volatility is based on historical volatility using daily stock price observations.  The estimated dividend yield is based upon Woodward’s historical dividend practice and the market value of its common stock.  The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. treasury yield curve, for periods within the contractual life of the stock option, at the time of grant.
		Year Ended September 30,
		2014						2013				2012
	Expected term (years)		5.8	-	8.6			5.8	-	8.6		5.9	-	8.5
	Estimated volatility		38.50%					48.70%	-	54.90%		48.90%	-	55.60%
	Estimated dividend yield		0.80%					0.80%	-	1.00%		0.70%	-	1.10%
	Risk-free interest rate		1.70%	-	2.50%			0.80%	-	1.30%		0.80%	-	1.60%
	The weighted average grant date fair value of options granted follows:
			Year Ended September 30,
			2014			2013			2012
	Weighted-average grant date fair value of options		$	15.63		$	15.84		$	12.14
	The following is a summary of the activity for stock option awards during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014:
				Number			Weighted-Average Exercise Price
	Balance at September 30, 2013				4,423		$	25.06
	Options granted				694			40.99
	Options exercised				-562			19.67
	Options forfeited				-54			34.06
	Balance at September 30, 2014				4,501			28.08
	Exercise prices of stock options outstanding as of September 30, 2014 range from $11.86 to $44.54.
	Changes in non-vested stock options during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014 were as follows:
			Number			Weighted-Average Exercise Price
	Balance at September 30, 2013			1,737		$	29.97
	Options granted			694			40.99
	Options vested			-698			28.97
	Options forfeited			-54			33.40
	Balance at September 30, 2014			1,679			34.83
	Information about stock options that have vested, or are expected to vest, and are exercisable at September 30, 2014 was as follows:
			Number			Weighted- Average Exercise Price			Weighted- Average Remaining Life in Years		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
	Options outstanding			4,501		$	28.08			5.6	$	87,923
	Options vested and exercisable			2,822			24.07			4.1		66,458
	Options vested and expected to vest			4,419			27.92			5.5		87,066
	Other information follows:
			Year Ended September 30,
			2014			2013			2012
	Total fair value of stock options vested		$	9,459		$	7,271		$	5,907
	Total intrinsic value of options exercised			14,549			19,692			12,521
	Cash received from exercises of stock options			9,772			8,272			6,180
	Excess tax benefit realized from exercise of stock options			3,751			5,154			3,990
	Restricted Stock
	In the first quarter of fiscal year 2014, Woodward granted an award of 24 shares of restricted stock to its Chief Executive Officer and President, Thomas A. Gendron.  Subject to Mr. Gendron’s continued employment by the Company, these shares of restricted stock will vest 100% following the end of the Company’s fiscal year 2017 if a specified cumulative earnings per share (“EPS”) target is met or exceeded for fiscal years 2014 through 2017.  If this EPS target is not met, all shares of restricted stock will be forfeited by Mr. Gendron.
	The shares of restricted stock were awarded to Mr. Gendron pursuant to a form restricted stock agreement approved by Woodward’s Compensation Committee (the “Committee”), which generally provides that: if the recipient of a restricted stock award is terminated from the Company for any reason other than death or disability during the restricted period, all shares of restricted stock will be immediately forfeited; if the recipient dies or becomes permanently disabled prior to the recipient’s termination and during the restricted period, all restrictions will lapse and the shares of restricted stock will fully vest immediately; similarly, in the event of a Change in Control (as defined in the form of restricted stock agreement) of the Company during the restricted period and prior to the recipient’s termination for any reason, all restrictions will lapse and the shares of restricted stock will fully vest immediately; during the restricted period, a recipient may exercise full voting rights with respect to the shares of restricted stock; dividends on the shares of restricted stock will accrue, but will not be paid, during the restricted period; and all dividends accrued during the restricted period will be paid upon any vesting of the shares of restricted stock, without payment of interest, provided that if the shares of restricted stock are forfeited for any reason, all accrued dividends will likewise be forfeited.  The form of restricted stock agreement also includes adjustment provisions in the event the Company engages in certain recapitalization or similar transactions or in the event of a change of law or regulation.  Upon vesting, shares become freely transferrable.
	A summary of the activity for restricted stock awards in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014 follows:
			Number			Fair Value per Share
Balance at September 30, 2013			-		$	n/a
Shares granted			24			39.43
Shares vested			-			n/a
Shares forfeited			-			n/a
Balance at September 30, 2014			24			39.43
Woodward recognizes stock-based compensation on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period.  Pursuant to the form stock option agreements, the requisite service period can be less than the four year vesting period due to grantee’s retirement eligibility.  As such, the recognition of stock-based compensation expense associated with some grants can be accelerated to a period of less than four years, including immediate recognition of  stock-based compensation on the date of grant.
At September 30, 2014, there was approximately $11,516 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock-based compensation arrangements, both stock options and restricted stock awards, granted under the 2002 Plan (for which no further grants will be made) and the 2006 Plan.  The pre-vesting forfeiture rates for purposes of determining stock-based compensation cost recognized were estimated to be 0% for members of Woodward’s board of directors and 9.0% for all others.  The remaining unrecognized compensation cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.7 years.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	Note 19.  Commitments and contingencies
	Woodward has entered into operating leases for certain facilities and equipment with terms in excess of one year under agreements that expire at various dates.  Some leases require the payment of property taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs in addition to rental payments.  Future minimum rental payments required under these leases, excluding available option renewals, are as follows:
	Year Ending September 30,
	2015	$	6,393
	2016		4,327
	2017		3,264
	2018		2,548
	2019		1,377
	Thereafter		1,430
	Total	$	19,339
	Rent expense for all operating leases totaled:
		Year Ended September 30,
		2014		2013		2012
	Rent expense	$	10,897	$	10,243	$	10,247
	Woodward enters into unconditional purchase obligation arrangements (i.e. issuance of purchase orders, obligations to transfer funds in the future for fixed or minimum quantities of goods or services at fixed or minimum prices, such as "take-or-pay" contracts) in the normal course of business to ensure that adequate levels of sourced product are available to Woodward.  Future minimum unconditional purchase obligations are as follows:
	Year Ending September 30,
	2015	$	331,300
	2016		11,445
	2017		-
	2018		-
	2019		-
	Thereafter		-
	Total	$	342,745
	Woodward also has construction related contractual obligations of approximately $100,000 as of September 30, 2014  related to the development of a second campus in the greater-Rockford, Illinois area, a new campus at its corporate headquarters in Fort Collins, Colorado, and a new facility in Niles, Illinois.
	The U.S. Government, and other governments, may terminate any of Woodward’s government contracts (and, in general, subcontracts) at their convenience, as well as for default based on specified performance measurements.  If any of Woodward’s government contracts were to be terminated for convenience, the Company generally would be entitled to receive payment for work completed and allowable termination or cancellation costs.  If any of Woodward’s government contracts were to be terminated for Woodward’s default, the U.S. Government generally would pay only for the work accepted, and could require Woodward to pay the difference between the original contract price and the cost to re-procure the contract items, net of the work accepted from the original contract.  The U.S. Government could also hold Woodward liable for damages resulting from the default.
	Woodward is currently involved in claims, pending or threatened litigation or other legal proceedings, investigations and/or regulatory proceedings arising in the normal course of business, including, among others, those relating to product liability claims, employment matters, worker’s compensation claims, contractual disputes, product warranty claims and alleged violations of various laws and regulations.  Woodward accrues for known individual matters where it believes that it is probable the matter will result in a loss when ultimately resolved using estimates of the most likely amount of loss.
	Legal costs are expensed as incurred and are classified in “Selling, general and administrative expenses” on the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
	Woodward is partially self-insured in the United States for healthcare and worker’s compensation up to predetermined amounts, above which third party insurance applies.  Management regularly reviews the probable outcome of these claims and proceedings, the expenses expected to be incurred, the availability and limits of the insurance coverage, and the established accruals for liabilities.
	While the outcome of pending claims, legal and regulatory proceedings, and investigations cannot be predicted with certainty, management believes that any liabilities that may result from these claims, proceedings and investigations will not have a material effect on Woodward's liquidity, financial condition, or results of operations.
	In the event of a change in control of Woodward, as defined in change-in-control agreements with its current corporate officers, Woodward may be required to pay termination benefits to such officers.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Information	'
Segment Information	'
	Note 20.  Segment information
	Woodward serves the aerospace market and the energy market through its two reportable segments - Aerospace and Energy.  Woodward’s reportable segments are aggregations of Woodward’s operating segments.  Woodward uses reportable segment information internally to manage its business, including the assessment of business segment performance and decisions for the allocation of resources between segments.
	The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those of the Company.  Woodward evaluates segment profit or loss based on internal performance measures for each segment in a given period.  In connection with that assessment, Woodward excludes matters such as charges for restructuring costs, interest income and expense, and certain gains and losses from asset dispositions.
	A summary of consolidated net sales and earnings by segment follows:
		Year Ended September 30,
		2014			2013		2012
	Segment external net sales:
	Aerospace	$	1,084,025		$	1,061,477	$	896,083
	Energy		917,215			874,499		969,544
	Total consolidated net sales	$	2,001,240		$	1,935,976	$	1,865,627
	Segment earnings:
	Aerospace	$	159,200		$	166,122	$	130,192
	Energy		134,278			98,940		126,441
	Total segment earnings		293,478			265,062		256,633
	Nonsegment expenses		-43,701			-39,061		-33,365
	Interest expense, net		-22,533			-26,430		-25,461
	Consolidated earnings before income taxes	$	227,244		$	199,571	$	197,807
	Segment assets consist of accounts receivable, inventories, property, plant, and equipment, net, goodwill, and other intangibles, net.  A summary of consolidated total assets, consolidated depreciation and amortization and consolidated capital expenditures follows:
		Year Ended September 30,
		2014			2013		2012
	Segment assets:
	Aerospace	$	1,440,355		$	1,361,861	$	1,059,754
	Energy		610,345			599,007		605,842
	Total segment assets		2,050,700			1,960,868		1,665,596
	Unallocated corporate property, plant and equipment, net		72,992			50,115		15,763
	Other unallocated assets		273,510			207,535		178,605
	Consolidated total assets	$	2,397,202		$	2,218,518	$	1,859,964
	Segment depreciation and amortization:
	Aerospace	$	46,895		$	49,887	$	43,840
	Energy		22,672			20,890		21,738
	Total segment depreciation and amortization		69,567			70,777		65,578
	Unallocated corporate amounts		7,786			3,456		3,039
	Consolidated depreciation and amortization	$	77,353		$	74,233	$	68,617
	Segment capital expenditures:
	Aerospace	$	134,307		$	74,964	$	32,244
	Energy		55,780			28,137		22,590
	Total segment capital expenditures		190,087			103,101		54,834
	Unallocated corporate amounts		17,019			38,499		10,066
	Consolidated capital expenditures	$	207,106		$	141,600	$	64,900
	Sales to General Electric were made by all of Woodward’s reportable segments and totaled approximately 15% of net sales in fiscal year 2014, 15% of net sales in fiscal year 2013, and 14% of net sales in fiscal year 2012.  Accounts receivable from General Electric totaled approximately 12% of accounts receivable at September 30, 2014 and 11% of accounts receivable at September 30, 2013.
	U.S. Government related sales from Woodward’s reportable segments were as follows:
		Direct U.S. Government Sales			Indirect U.S. Government Sales		Total U.S. Government Related Sales
	Fiscal year ended September 30, 2014
	Aerospace	$	76,982		$	254,806	$	331,788
	Energy		2,517			5,588		8,105
	Total net external sales	$	79,499		$	260,394	$	339,893
	Percentage of total net sales		4%			13%		17%
	Fiscal year ended September 30, 2013
	Aerospace	$	104,410		$	289,197	$	393,607
	Energy		3,649			8,106		11,755
	Total net external sales	$	108,059		$	297,303	$	405,362
	Percentage of total net sales		6%			15%		21%
	Fiscal year ended September 30, 2012
	Aerospace	$	78,075		$	254,636	$	332,711
	Energy		3,904			7,228		11,132
	Total net external sales	$	81,979		$	261,864	$	343,843
	Percentage of total net sales		4%			14%		18%
	Accounts receivable from the U.S. Government totaled approximately 2% of accounts receivable at September 30, 2014 and 4% of accounts receivable at September 30, 2013.
	The customers who account for approximately 10% or more of sales to each of Woodward’s reporting segments for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014 follow:
			Customer
	Aerospace		United Technologies, Boeing, General Electric
	Energy		General Electric, Weichai Westport
	Net sales by geographical area, as determined by the location of the customer invoiced, were as follows:
	Year Ended September 30,
	2014			2013		2012
United States	$	1,025,149		$	1,058,912	$	927,345
Europe (1)		519,721			480,922		542,753
Asia		299,755			287,742		288,738
Other countries		156,615			108,400		106,791
Consolidated net sales	$	2,001,240		$	1,935,976	$	1,865,627
	-1		As a percentage of consolidated net sales, net sales to customers in Germany accounted for 9% for the year ended September 30, 2014, 9% for the year ended September 30, 2013 and 13% for the year ended September 30, 2012.
Property, plant, and equipment, net by geographical area, as determined by the physical location of the assets, were as follows:
	At September 30,
	2014			2013
United States	$	457,563		$	285,038
Germany		26,898			29,619
Other countries		28,818			35,391
Consolidated property, plant and equipment, net	$	513,279		$	350,048

Supplemental_Quarterly_Financi

Supplemental Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure	'
Supplemental Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	'
	Note 21.  Supplemental quarterly financial data (Unaudited)
	Quarterly results for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013 follow:
		2014 Fiscal Quarters
		First			Second		Third		Fourth
	Net sales	$	429,042		$	482,467	$	524,284	$	565,447
	Gross margin (1)		113,576			142,439		151,713		167,673
	Earnings before income taxes		32,944			56,756		62,468		75,076
	Net earnings		23,383			44,798		46,001		51,662
	Earnings per share
	Basic earnings per share		0.35			0.67		0.70		0.79
	Diluted earnings per share		0.34			0.66		0.69		0.77
	Cash dividends per share		0.08			0.08		0.08		0.08
		2013 Fiscal Quarters
		First			Second		Third		Fourth
	Net sales	$	408,339		$	485,513	$	483,759	$	558,365
	Gross margin (1)		118,766			137,413		134,277		169,249
	Earnings before income taxes		38,537			50,336		35,497		75,201
	Net earnings		27,368			42,446		23,663		52,465
	Earnings per share
	Basic earnings per share		0.40			0.62		0.35		0.77
	Diluted earnings per share		0.39			0.61		0.34		0.76
	Cash dividends per share		0.08			0.08		0.08		0.08
	Notes:
		1		Gross margin represents net sales less cost of goods sold excluding amortization expense.
	Quarterly results by segment for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013 follow:
		2014 Fiscal Quarters
		First			Second		Third		Fourth
	Segment external net sales:
	Aerospace	$	229,872		$	261,021	$	274,923	$	318,209
	Energy		199,170			221,446		249,361		247,238
	Total	$	429,042		$	482,467	$	524,284	$	565,447
	Segment earnings:
	Aerospace	$	22,549		$	40,289	$	39,357	$	57,005
	Energy		27,071			31,888		40,203		35,116
	Total	$	49,620		$	72,177	$	79,560	$	92,121
	Earnings reconciliation:
	Total segment earnings	$	49,620		$	72,177	$	79,560	$	92,121
	Nonsegment expenses		-10,673			-9,293		-11,193		-12,542
	Interest expense, net		-6,003			-6,128		-5,899		-4,503
	Consolidated earnings before income taxes	$	32,944		$	56,756	$	62,468	$	75,076
		2013 Fiscal Quarters
		First			Second		Third		Fourth
	Segment external net sales:
	Aerospace	$	211,389		$	270,493	$	272,218	$	307,377
	Energy		196,950			215,020		211,541		250,988
	Total	$	408,339		$	485,513	$	483,759	$	558,365
	Segment earnings:
	Aerospace	$	31,568		$	41,223	$	38,949	$	54,382
	Energy		23,908			24,235		12,430		38,367
	Total	$	55,476		$	65,458	$	51,379	$	92,749
	Earnings reconciliation:
	Total segment earnings	$	55,476		$	65,458	$	51,379	$	92,749
	Nonsegment expenses		-10,551			-8,174		-9,227		-11,109
	Interest expense, net		-6,388			-6,948		-6,655		-6,439
	Consolidated earnings before income taxes	$	38,537		$	50,336	$	35,497	$	75,201

Schedule_II

Schedule II	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	'
Schedule II	'
	WOODWARD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
	SCHEDULE II – VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
	For the years ended September 30, 2014, 2013, and 2012
	(in thousands)
	Column A		Column B		Column C				Column D		Column E
					Additions
	Description		Balance at Beginning of Year		Charged to Costs and Expenses		Charged to Other Accounts (a)		Deductions (b)		Balance at End of Year
	Fiscal year 2014
	Allowance for doubtful accounts		$	8,872	$	1,283	$	916	$	-3,993	$	7,078
	Deferred tax asset valuation allowance			11,783		271		-		-2,568		9,486
	Fiscal year 2013
	Allowance for doubtful accounts			7,217		3,408		5		-1,758		8,872
	Deferred tax asset valuation allowance			2,752		9,031		-		-		11,783
	Fiscal year 2012
	Allowance for doubtful accounts			2,322		4,139		1,074		-318		7,217
	Deferred tax asset valuation allowance			3,201		7		-		-456		2,752
	Notes:
		(a)		Includes recoveries of accounts previously written off.
		(b)		Represents accounts written off and foreign currency exchange rate adjustments.  Currency translation adjustments resulted in a decrease in the reserves of $704 in fiscal year 2014, an increase in the reserve of $155 in fiscal year 2013, and an increase in the reserve of $4 in fiscal year 2012.

Operations_and_summary_of_sign1

Operations and summary of significant accounting policies (Policy)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Principles of consolidation	'
	Principles of consolidation:  These Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and include the accounts of Woodward and its wholly and majority-owned subsidiaries.  Transactions within and between these companies are eliminated.
Use of estimates	'
	Use of estimates:  The preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements requires management to make use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, at the date of the financial statements and the reported revenues and expenses recognized during the reporting period, and certain financial statement disclosures.  Significant estimates include allowances for uncollectible amounts, net realizable value of inventories, customer rebates earned, useful lives of property and identifiable intangible assets, the evaluation of impairments of property, identifiable intangible assets and goodwill, the provision for income tax and related valuation reserves, the valuation of assets and liabilities acquired in business combinations, assumptions used in the determination of the funded status and annual expense of pension and postretirement employee benefit plans, the valuation of stock compensation instruments granted to employees, and contingencies. Actual results could vary materially from Woodward’s estimates.
Foreign currency exchange rates	'
	Foreign currency exchange rates:  The assets and liabilities of substantially all subsidiaries outside the United States are translated at fiscal year-end rates of exchange, and earnings and cash flow statements are translated at weighted-average rates of exchange.  Translation adjustments are accumulated with other comprehensive (loss) earnings as a separate component of stockholders’ equity and are presented net of tax effects in the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity.  The effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on loans between consolidated subsidiaries, that are considered permanent in nature, are also accumulated with other comprehensive earnings, net of tax.
	The Company is exposed to market risks related to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates because some sales transactions, and certain of the assets and liabilities of its domestic and foreign subsidiaries, are denominated in foreign currencies.  Selling, general, and administrative expenses include net foreign currency losses of $1,089 in fiscal year 2014, $2,738 in fiscal year 2013, and $480 in fiscal year 2012.
Revenue recognition	'
	Revenue recognition:  Woodward recognizes revenue upon shipment or delivery of products or services and when collectability is reasonably assured.  Delivery is upon completion of manufacturing, customer acceptance, and the transfer of the risks and rewards of ownership.  In countries whose laws provide for retention of some form of title by sellers, enabling recovery of goods in the event of customer default on payment, product delivery is considered to have occurred when the customer has assumed the risks and rewards of ownership of the products.
	Occasionally, Woodward transfers title of product to customers, but retains substantive performance obligations such as completion of product testing, customer acceptance or in some instances regulatory acceptance.  Revenue is deferred until the performance obligations are satisfied.  In addition, service revenue, which accounts for less than 1% of Woodward’s net sales, is also recognized upon completion of applicable performance obligations.
	Certain Woodward products include incidental software or firmware essential to the performance of the product as designed, which are treated as units of accounting associated with the related tangible product with which the software is included.  Woodward does not sell software on a standalone basis, although software upgrades, if any, are generally paid for by the customer.
	Product freight costs are included in cost of goods sold.  Freight costs charged to customers are included in net sales.
	Taxes collected from customers and remitted to government authorities are excluded from revenue and are recorded as liabilities until the taxes are remitted to the appropriate U.S. or foreign government authority.
	Net sales from service activities were less than 10% of total net sales for fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012.
Customer payments	'
	Customer payments:  Woodward occasionally agrees to make payments to certain customers in order to participate in anticipated sales activity.  Payments made to customers are accounted for as a reduction of revenue unless they are made in exchange for identifiable goods or services with fair values that can be reasonably estimated.  Reductions in revenue associated with these customer payments are recognized immediately to the extent that the payments cannot be attributed to anticipated future sales, and are recognized in future periods to the extent that the payments relate to anticipated future sales.  Such determinations are based on the facts and circumstances underlying each payment.
Stock-based compensation	'
	Stock-based compensation:  Compensation cost relating to stock-based payment awards made to employees and directors is recognized in the financial statements using a fair value method.  Non-qualified stock option awards and restricted stock awards are issued under Woodward’s stock-based compensation plans.  The cost of such awards, measured at the grant date, is based on the estimated fair value of the award.
	Forfeitures are estimated at the time of each grant in order to estimate the portion of the award that will ultimately vest.  The estimate is based on Woodward’s historical rates of forfeitures and is updated periodically.  The portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as expense over the requisite service periods, which is generally the vesting period of the awards.
Research and development	'
	Research and development costs:  Company funded expenditures related to new product development activities are expensed as incurred and are separately reported in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
Income taxes	'
	Income taxes:  Deferred income taxes are provided for the temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of Woodward’s assets, liabilities, and certain unrecognized gains and losses recorded in accumulated other comprehensive earnings.  Woodward provides for taxes that may be payable if undistributed earnings of overseas subsidiaries were to be remitted to the United States, except for those earnings that it considers to be indefinitely invested.
Cash equivalents	'
	Cash equivalents:  Highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less are considered to be cash equivalents.
	Cash and cash equivalents are maintained with multiple financial institutions.  Generally, these deposits may be redeemed upon demand and are maintained with financial institutions with reputable credit and therefore bear minimal credit risk.  Woodward holds cash and cash equivalents at financial institutions in excess of amounts covered by the Federal Depository Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”) and sometimes invests excess cash in money market funds not insured by the FDIC.
Accounts receivable	'
	Accounts receivable:  Almost all of Woodward’s sales are made on credit and result in accounts receivable, which are recorded at the amount invoiced.  In the normal course of business, not all accounts receivable are collected and, therefore, an allowance for uncollectible amounts is provided equal to the amount that Woodward believes ultimately will not be collected.  In establishing the amount of the allowance, customer-specific information is considered related to delinquent accounts, past loss experience, bankruptcy filings, deterioration in the customer’s operating results or financial position, and current economic conditions. Accounts receivable losses are deducted from the allowance, and the related accounts receivable balances are written off when the receivables are deemed uncollectible.  Recoveries of accounts receivable previously written off are recognized when received.
	Consistent with business practice common in China, Woodward’s Chinese subsidiary accepts from Chinese customers, in settlement of certain customer accounts receivable, bankers acceptance notes issued by creditworthy Chinese banks.  Bankers acceptance notes are financial instruments issued by Chinese financial institutions as part of financing arrangements between the financial institution and a customer of the financial institution.  Bankers acceptance notes represent a commitment by the issuing financial institution to pay a certain amount of money at a specified future maturity date to the legal owner of the bankers acceptance note as of the maturity date.  The maturity date of bankers acceptance notes varies, but it is Woodward’s policy to only accept bankers acceptance notes with maturity dates no more than 180 days from the date of Woodward’s receipt of such draft.  The issuing financial institution is the obligor, not Woodward’s customers.  Upon Woodward’s acceptance of a bankers acceptance note from a customer, such customer has no further obligation to pay Woodward for the related accounts receivable balance.  Woodward only accepts bankers acceptance notes issued by creditworthy banks as to which the credit risk associated with the bankers acceptance note is assessed to be minimal.
	The composition of Woodward’s accounts receivable at September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013 follows:
		September 30,			September 30,
		2014			2013
	Accounts receivable from:
	Customers	$	291,584		$	316,983
	Other (Chinese financial institutions)		62,352			72,954
	Allowance for uncollectible customer amounts		-7,078			-8,872
		$	346,858		$	381,065
Inventories	'
	Inventories:  Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market, with cost being determined using methods that approximate a first-in, first-out basis.
	Customer deposits are recorded against inventory when the right of offset exists.  There were no customer deposits included in inventory as of September 30, 2014 and 2013.  All other customer deposits are recorded in accrued liabilities.
Property, plant and equipment	'
	Property, plant, and equipment:  Property, plant, and equipment are recorded at cost and are depreciated over the estimated useful lives of the assets.  Assets are generally depreciated using the straight-line method.  Assets are tested for recoverability whenever events or circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable.
	Estimated lives over which fixed assets are generally depreciated at September 30, 2014 were as follows:
	Land improvements	3	-	40		years
	Buildings and improvements	3	-	40		years
	Leasehold improvements	1	-	25		years
	Machinery and production equipment	3	-	15		years
	Computer equipment and software	2	-	10		years
	Office furniture and equipment	3	-	13		years
	Other	3	-	13		years
	Included in computer equipment and software are Woodward’s enterprise resource planning (“ERP”) systems, which have an estimated useful life of 10 years.  All other computer equipment and software is generally depreciated over three to five years.
Purchase accounting	'
	Purchase accounting:    Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting.  Under the acquisition method, assets and liabilities, including intangible assets, are recorded at their fair values as of the acquisition date.  Acquisition costs in excess of amounts assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded as goodwill.
Goodwill	'
	Goodwill:    Woodward tests goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level on an annual basis and more often if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount.  Based on the relevant U.S. GAAP authoritative guidance, Woodward sometimes aggregates components of a single operating segment into a reporting unit, if appropriate.   The impairment tests consist of comparing the implied fair value of each reporting unit with its carrying amount including goodwill.  If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its implied fair value, Woodward compares the implied fair value of goodwill with the recorded carrying amount of goodwill.  If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of goodwill, an impairment loss would be recognized to reduce the carrying amount to its implied fair value.  There was no impairment charge recorded in fiscal years 2014, 2013, or 2012.
Other intangibles	'
	Other intangibles:  Other intangibles are recognized apart from goodwill whenever an acquired intangible asset arises from contractual or other legal rights, or whenever it is capable of being separated or divided from the acquired entity and sold, transferred, licensed, rented, or exchanged, either individually or in combination with a related contract, asset, or liability.  All of Woodward’s intangibles have an estimated useful life and are being amortized using patterns that reflect the periods over which the economic benefits of the assets are expected to be realized.  Impairment losses are recognized if the carrying amount of an intangible is both not recoverable and exceeds its fair value.
	Estimated lives over which intangible assets are amortized at September 30, 2014 were as follows:
	Customer relationships	9	-	30		years
	Intellectual property	10	-	17		years
	Process technology	8	-	30		years
	Other	3	-	15		years
Impairment of long-lived assets	'
	Impairment of long-lived assets:  Woodward reviews the carrying amount of its long-lived assets or asset groups to be used in operations whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets might not be recoverable.  Factors that would necessitate an impairment assessment include a significant adverse change in the extent or manner in which an asset is used, a significant adverse change in legal factors or the business climate that could affect the value of the asset, or a significant decline in the observable market value of an asset, among others.  If such facts indicate a potential impairment, the Company would assess the recoverability of an asset group by determining if the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds the sum of the projected undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the assets over the remaining economic life of the primary asset in the asset group.  If the recoverability test indicates that the carrying amount of the asset group is not recoverable, the Company will estimate the fair value of the asset group using appropriate valuation methodologies, which would typically include an estimate of discounted cash flows.  Any impairment would be measured as the difference between the asset groups carrying amount and its estimated fair value.  There was an impairment charge of $3,138 recorded in fiscal year 2014 related to a write down to fair market value of assets held for sale.  There were no impairment charges recorded in fiscal years 2013 or 2012.
Investments in marketable equity securities	'
	Investment in marketable equity securities:  Woodward holds marketable equity securities related to its deferred compensation program.  Based on Woodward’s intentions regarding these instruments, marketable equity securities are classified as trading securities.  The trading securities are reported at fair value, with realized gains and losses recognized in “Other (income) expense, net.” The trading securities are included in “Other assets.”  The associated obligation to provide benefits is included in “Other liabilities.”
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries	'
	Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries:  Investments in and operating results of entities in which Woodward does not have a controlling financial interest or the ability to exercise significant influence over the operations are included in the financial statements using the cost method of accounting.  Investments and operating results of entities in which Woodward does not have a controlling interest but does have the ability to exercise significant influence over operations are included in the financial statements using the equity method of accounting.
Derivatives	'
	Derivatives:  The Company is exposed to various market risks that arise from transactions entered into in the normal course of business.  The Company has historically utilized derivative instruments, such as treasury lock agreements to lock in fixed rates on future debt issuances, which qualify as cash flow or fair value hedges to mitigate the risk of variability in cash flows related to future interest payments attributable to changes in the designated benchmark rate.  The Company records all such interest rate hedge instruments on the balance sheet at fair value.  Cash flows related to the instrument designated as a qualifying hedge are reflected in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows in the same categories as the cash flows from the items being hedged.  Accordingly, cash flows relating to the settlement of interest rate derivatives hedging the forecasted future interest payments on debt have been reflected upon settlement as a component of financing cash flows.  The resulting gain or loss from such settlement is deferred to other comprehensive income and reclassified to interest expense over the term of the underlying debt.  This reclassification of the deferred gains and losses impacts the interest expense recognized on the underlying debt that was hedged and is therefore reflected as a component of operating cash flows in periods subsequent to settlement.  The periodic settlement of interest rate derivatives hedging outstanding variable rate debt is recorded as an adjustment to interest expense and is therefore reflected as a component of operating cash flows.
	From time to time, Woodward will enter into foreign currency exchange rate contracts to hedge against changes in foreign currency exchange rates on liabilities expected to be settled at a future date.  Woodward has historically not designated these transactions as accounting hedges.  The fair value of foreign currency exchange rate contracts held at the end of the period are recognized in the balance sheet and the unrealized gains or losses are recorded to “Other (income) expense, net” in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.  Upon settlement of foreign currency exchange rate contracts, any unrealized gains or losses previously recognized are reversed and the realized gain or loss is recorded to “Other (income) expense, net” in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings.  Further information on foreign currency exchange rate contracts can be found at Note 6, Derivative instruments and hedging activities.
Financial Instruments	'
	Financial instruments:  The Company’s financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, investments in the deferred compensation program, notes receivable from municipalities, and debt.  Because of their short-term maturity, the carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents and short-term debt approximate fair value.  The fair value of investments in the deferred compensation program are adjusted to fair value based on the quoted market prices for the investments in the various mutual funds owned.  The fair value of the long-term notes from municipalities are estimated based on a model that discounts future principal and interest payments received at interest rates available to the Company at the end of the period for similarly rated municipality notes of similar maturity.  The fair value of long-term debt is estimated based on a model that discounts future principal and interest payments at interest rates available to the Company at the end of the period for similar debt with the same maturity.  Further information on the fair value of financial instruments can be found at Note 5, Financial instruments and fair value measurements.
	Financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value in the Consolidated Balance Sheets are categorized based upon a fair value hierarchy established by U.S. GAAP, which prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value into the following levels:
	Level 1: Inputs based on quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date.
	Level 2: Quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable and can be corroborated by observable market data.
	Level 3: Inputs reflect management’s best estimates and assumptions of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date.  The inputs are unobservable in the market and significant to the valuation of the instruments.
Postretirement benefits	'
	Postretirement benefits:  The Company provides various benefits to certain current and former employees through defined benefit pension and postretirement plans.  For financial reporting purposes, net periodic benefits expense and related obligations are calculated using a number of significant actuarial assumptions.  Changes in net periodic expense and funding status may occur in the future due to changes in these assumptions.  The funded status of defined pension and postretirement plans recognized in the statement of financial position is measured as the difference between the fair market value of the plan assets and the benefit obligation.  For a defined benefit pension plan, the benefit obligation is the projected benefit obligation; for any other defined benefit postretirement plan, such as a retiree health care plan, the benefit obligation is the accumulated benefit obligation.  Any over-funded status is recognized as an asset and any underfunded status is recognized as a liability.
	Projected benefit obligation is the actuarial present value as of the measurement date of all benefits attributed by the plan benefit formula to employee service rendered before the measurement date using assumptions as to future compensation levels if the plan benefit formula is based on those future compensation levels.  Accumulated benefit obligation is the actuarial present value of benefits (whether vested or unvested) attributed by the plan benefit formula to employee service rendered before the measurement date and based on employee service and compensation, if applicable, prior to that date.  Accumulated benefit obligation differs from projected benefit obligation in that it includes no assumption about future compensation levels.
Deferred Compensation, Excluding Share-based Payments and Retirement Benefits [Member]	'
Deferred compensation	'
	Deferred compensation:  The Company maintains a deferred compensation plan, or “rabbi trust,” as part of its overall compensation package for certain employees.
	Deferred compensation obligations will be settled either by delivery of a fixed number of shares of Woodward’s common stock (in accordance with certain eligible members’ irrevocable elections) or in cash.  Woodward has contributed shares of its common stock into a trust established for the future settlement of deferred compensation obligations that are payable in shares of Woodward’s common stock.  Common stock held by the trust is reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as “Treasury stock held for deferred compensation” and the related deferred compensation obligation is reflected as a separate component of equity in amounts equal to the fair value of the common stock at the dates of contribution.  These accounts are not adjusted for subsequent changes in the fair value of the common stock.  Deferred compensation obligations that will be settled in cash are accounted for on an accrual basis in accordance with the terms of the underlying contract and are reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as “Other liabilities.”

Operatons_and_summary_of_signi

Operatons and summary of significant accounting policies (Table)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Basis of Presentation	'
Schedule of Accounts Receivable	'
		September 30,			September 30,
		2014			2013
	Accounts receivable from:
	Customers	$	291,584		$	316,983
	Other (Chinese financial institutions)		62,352			72,954
	Allowance for uncollectible customer amounts		-7,078			-8,872
		$	346,858		$	381,065
Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment Useful Lives	'
	Land improvements	3	-	40		years
	Buildings and improvements	3	-	40		years
	Leasehold improvements	1	-	25		years
	Machinery and production equipment	3	-	15		years
	Computer equipment and software	2	-	10		years
	Office furniture and equipment	3	-	13		years
	Other	3	-	13		years
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets Useful Lives	'
	Customer relationships	9	-	30		years
	Intellectual property	10	-	17		years
	Process technology	8	-	30		years
	Other	3	-	15		years

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share	'
Reconciliation of Net Earnings to Net Earnings Per Share Basic and Diluted	'
		Year Ended September 30,
		2014		2013		2012
	Numerator:
	Net earnings	$	165,844	$	145,942	$	141,589
	Denominator:
	Basic shares outstanding		66,432		68,392		68,880
	Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock		1,344		1,210		1,427
	Diluted shares outstanding		67,776		69,602		70,307
	Income per common share:
	Basic earnings per share	$	2.50	$	2.13	$	2.06
	Diluted earnings per share	$	2.45	$	2.10	$	2.01
Anti-dilutive Stock Options Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share	'
		Year Ended September 30,
		2014		2013		2012
	Options		12		44		50
	Weighted-average option price	$	44.04	$	40.21	$	36.33
Schedule of Treasury Stock Shares Held for Deferred Compensation Included in Basic and Diluted Shares Outstanding	'
		Year Ended September 30,
		2014		2013		2012
	Weighted-average treasury stock shares held for deferred compensation obligations		216		256		295

Business_Acquisitions_Tables

Business Acquisitions (Tables) (Business Acquisition, Acquiree - Duarte Business [Member])	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Business Acquisition, Acquiree - Duarte Business [Member]	'
Schedule of the Purchase Price	'
	Cash paid to Seller	$	198,900
	Less cash acquired		-40
	Total purchase price	$	198,860
Schedule of Purchase Price Allocation	'
	Accounts receivable	$	14,245
	Inventories		30,149
	Other current assets		10,370
	Property, plant, and equipment		11,804
	Goodwill		98,310
	Intangible assets		89,700
	Other noncurrent assets		18,097
	Total assets acquired		272,675
	Other current liabilities		32,509
	Other noncurrent liabilities		41,306
	Total liabilities assumed		73,815
	Net assets acquired	$	198,860
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets Acquired	'
		Estimated Amounts		Weighted-Average Useful Life		Amortization Method
	Customer relationships and contracts	$	77,000	20	years	Straight-line
	Process technology		5,000	25	years	Straight-line
	Backlog		7,700	3	years	Accelerated
	Total	$	89,700
Schedule of Unaudited Pro Forma Results	'
		Year Ended September 30,
		2014				2013				2012
		As reported		Pro forma		As reported		Pro forma		As reported		Pro forma
	Net sales	$	2,001,240	$	2,001,240	$	1,935,976	$	1,966,376	$	1,865,627	$	1,978,169
	Net earnings		165,844		167,047		145,942		152,431		141,589		131,384
	Earnings per share:
	Basic earnings per share	$	2.50	$	2.51	$	2.13	$	2.23	$	2.06	$	1.91
	Diluted earnings per share		2.45		2.46		2.10		2.19		2.01		1.87

Financial_Instruments_and_Fair1

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurments	'
Financial Assets that are Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis	'
		At September 30, 2014												At September 30, 2013
		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Financial assets:
	Cash	$	92,590		$	-		$	-		$	92,590		$	35,839	$	-	$	-	$	35,839
	Investments in money market funds		11,210			-			-			11,210			2,950		-		-		2,950
	Investments in reverse repurchase agreements		11,487			-			-			11,487			9,767		-		-		9,767
	Equity securities		9,645			-			-			9,645			8,285		-		-		8,285
	Total financial assets	$	124,932		$	-		$	-		$	124,932		$	56,841	$	-	$	-	$	56,841
Estimated Fair Values of Financial Instruments	'
				At September 30, 2014						At September 30, 2013
		Fair Value Hierarchy Level		Estimated Fair Value			Carrying Cost			Estimated Fair Value			Carrying Cost
	Assets:
	Notes receivable from municipalities	2			15,988			15,228			6,718			8,114
	Liabilities:
	Long-term debt, including current portion	2			-752,513			-710,000			-588,297			-550,000

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed1

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities	'
Impact of Derivative Instruments on Earnings	'
			Year ended September 30, 2014
	Derivatives in:	Location of (Gain) Loss Recognized in Earnings	Amount of (Income) Expense Recognized in Earnings on Derivative		Amount of (Gain) Loss Recognized in Accumulated OCI on Derivative		Amount of (Gain) Loss Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Earnings
	Fair value hedging relationships	Interest expense	$	-	$	-	$	-
	Cash flow hedging relationships	Interest expense		99		-		99
			$	99	$	-	$	99
			Year ended September 30, 2013
	Derivatives in:	Location of (Gain) Loss Recognized in Earnings	Amount of (Income) Expense Recognized in Earnings on Derivative		Amount of (Gain) Loss Recognized in Accumulated OCI on Derivative		Amount of (Gain) Loss Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Earnings
	Fair value hedging relationships	Interest expense	$	-	$	-	$	-
	Cash flow hedging relationships	Interest expense		171		-507		171
			$	171	$	-507	$	171
			Year ended September 30, 2012
	Derivatives in:	Location of (Gain) Loss Recognized in Earnings	Amount of (Income) Expense Recognized in Earnings on Derivative		Amount of (Gain) Loss Recognized in Accumulated OCI on Derivative		Amount of (Gain) Loss Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Earnings
	Fair value hedging relationships	Interest expense	$	-3	$	-	$	-
	Cash flow hedging relationships	Interest expense		174		-		174
			$	171	$	-	$	174

Supplemental_Statements_of_Cas1

Supplemental Statements of Cash Flows Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Supplemental Statements of Cash Flows Information	'
Schedule of Cash Flow Supplemental Disclosures	'
		Year Ended September 30,
		2014		2013		2012
	Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized	$	27,922	$	26,627	$	25,665
	Income taxes paid		66,477		52,355		52,705
	Income tax refunds received		2,303		6,336		3,183
	Non-cash activities:
	Purchases of property, plant and equipment on account		13,437		5,345		6,065
	Common shares issued from treasury for benefit plans (Note 17)		11,193		9,780		9,335
	Notes receivable from municipalities for economic development incentives		6,596		8,114		-
	Cashless exercise of stock options		1,286		2,645		-
	Settlement of receivable through cashless acquisition of treasury shares in		1,736		3,447		-
	connection with the cashless exercise of stock options

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Inventories	'
Schedule of Inventories	'
		September 30,		September 30,
		2014		2013
	Raw materials	$	60,442	$	67,599
	Work in progress		93,836		87,808
	Component parts (1)		247,299		229,508
	Finished goods		50,367		46,829
		$	451,944	$	431,744

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_N1

Property, Plant, and Equipment, Net (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Property, Plant, and Equipment, Net	'
Schedule of Property Plant and Equipment, Net	'
		September 30,		September 30,
		2014		2013
	Land and land improvements	$	66,303	$	57,562
	Buildings and improvements		197,587		195,008
	Leasehold improvements		20,026		18,924
	Machinery and production equipment		326,403		305,692
	Computer equipment and software		103,852		97,538
	Office furniture and equipment		20,992		24,400
	Other		18,839		14,197
	Construction in progress		223,958		81,428
			977,960		794,749
	Less accumulated depreciation		-464,681		-444,701
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	513,279	$	350,048
Schedule of Depreciation Expense	'
		Year Ended September 30,
		2014		2013		2012
	Depreciation expense	$	43,773	$	37,254	$	35,808
Schedule of Capitalized Interest	'
		Year Ended September 30,
		2014		2013		2012
	Capitalized interest	$	7,282	$	1,215	$	658

Goodwill_Tables

Goodwill (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Goodwill Disclosure	'
Schedule of Goodwill	'
		30-Sep-13		Additions		Effects of Foreign Currency Translation		30-Sep-14
	Aerospace	$	455,107	$	-	$	316	$	455,423
	Energy		106,351		-		-2,050		104,301
	Consolidated	$	561,458	$	-	$	-1,734	$	559,724
		30-Sep-12		Additions		Effects of Foreign Currency Translation		30-Sep-13
	Aerospace	$	356,773	$	98,310	$	23	$	455,107
	Energy		104,601		-		1,750		106,351
	Consolidated	$	461,374	$	98,310	$	1,773	$	561,458

Intangible_Assets_Net_Tables

Intangible Assets, Net (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Intangible Assets, Net	'
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class	'
		30-Sep-14						30-Sep-13
		Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization		Net Carrying Amount		Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization		Net Carrying Amount
	Customer relationships and contracts:
	Aerospace	$	282,225	$	-97,281	$	184,944	$	282,225	$	-77,288	$	204,937
	Energy		41,706		-32,032		9,674		42,008		-29,711		12,297
	Total	$	323,931	$	-129,313	$	194,618	$	324,233	$	-106,999	$	217,234
	Intellectual property:
	Aerospace	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-
	Energy		19,954		-15,938		4,016		20,218		-14,722		5,496
	Total	$	19,954	$	-15,938	$	4,016	$	20,218	$	-14,722	$	5,496
	Process technology:
	Aerospace	$	76,605	$	-31,719	$	44,886	$	76,718	$	-26,129	$	50,589
	Energy		23,078		-13,141		9,937		23,458		-11,699		11,759
	Total	$	99,683	$	-44,860	$	54,823	$	100,176	$	-37,828	$	62,348
	Other intangibles:
	Aerospace	$	9,100	$	-8,465	$	635	$	47,351	$	-44,572	$	2,779
	Energy		1,519		-839		680		2,631		-1,713		918
	Total	$	10,619	$	-9,304	$	1,315	$	49,982	$	-46,285	$	3,697
	Total intangibles:
	Aerospace	$	367,930	$	-137,465	$	230,465	$	406,294	$	-147,989	$	258,305
	Energy		86,257		-61,950		24,307		88,315		-57,845		30,470
	Consolidated Total	$	454,187	$	-199,415	$	254,772	$	494,609	$	-205,834	$	288,775
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets Amortization Expense	'
		Year Ended September 30,
		2014		2013		2012
	Amortization expense	$	33,580	$	36,979	$	32,809
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense	'
	Year Ending September 30:
	2015			$	29,309
	2016				27,606
	2017				25,862
	2018				25,035
	2019				23,199
	Thereafter				123,761
				$	254,772

Credit_Facilities_Shortterm_Bo1

Credit Facilities, Short-term Borrowings and Long-term Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure	'
Short-term Borrowings and Availability Under Various Short-term Credit Facilities	'
		Total availability			Outstanding letters of credit and guarantees			Outstanding borrowings		Remaining availability
	Revolving credit facility	$	600,000		$	-5,408		$	-210,000	$	384,592
	Foreign lines of credit and overdraft facilities		27,959			-86			-		27,872
	Foreign performance guarantee facilities		9,678			-443			-		9,235
		$	637,637		$	-5,937		$	-210,000	$	421,699
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table Text Block]	'
			September 30,			September 30,
			2014			2013
	Revolving credit facility - Floating rate (LIBOR plus 0.85% - 1.65%), due July 2018, unsecured		$	210,000		$	-
	Series B notes – 5.63%, due October 2013; unsecured			-			100,000
	Series C notes – 5.92%, due October 2015; unsecured			50,000			50,000
	Series D notes – 6.39%, due October 2018; unsecured			100,000			100,000
	Series E notes – 7.81%, due April 2016; unsecured			57,000			57,000
	Series F notes – 8.24%, due April 2019; unsecured			43,000			43,000
	Series G notes – 3.42%, due November 2020; unsecured			50,000			-
	Series H notes – 4.03%, due November 2023; unsecured			25,000			-
	Series I notes – 4.18%, due November 2025; unsecured			25,000			-
	Series J notes – Floating rate (LIBOR plus 1.25%), due November 2020; unsecured			50,000			-
	Series K notes – 4.03%, due November 2023; unsecured			50,000			-
	Series L notes – 4.18%, due November 2025; unsecured			50,000			-
	Long-term borrowings under Line of Credit - Variable rate of 1.06% at September 30, 2013; unsecured			-			200,000
	Total debt			710,000			550,000
	Less: current portion of long-term debt			-			-100,000
	Long-term debt, excluding current portion		$	710,000		$	450,000
Schedule of Future Principal Payments of Long-term Debt [Table Text Block]	'
	Year Ending September 30:
	2015		$	-
	2016			107,000
	2017			-
	2018			-
	2019			143,000
	Thereafter			250,000
			$	500,000

Accrued_Liabilities_Tables

Accrued Liabilities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accrued Liabilities	'
Accrued Liabilities	'
		At September 30,
		2014		2013
	Salaries and other member benefits	$	95,031	$	66,212
	Warranties		16,916		15,224
	Interest payable		12,487		11,437
	Current portion of acquired performance obligations and unfavorable contracts (1)		16,432		23,977
	Accrued retirement benefits		2,286		2,276
	Deferred revenues		6,108		6,304
	Taxes, other than income		8,557		6,504
	Other		14,914		29,807
		$	172,731	$	161,741
Warranties	'
		At September 30,
		2014		2013		2012
	Warranties, beginning of period	$	15,224	$	15,742	$	14,083
	Expense		10,700		12,037		14,543
	Increases due to acquisition of Duarte Business		-		157		-
	Reductions for settling warranties		-8,448		-13,051		-12,587
	Foreign currency exchange rate changes		-560		339		-297
	Warranties, end of period	$	16,916	$	15,224	$	15,742

Other_Liabilities_Tables

Other Liabilities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Other Liabilities	'
Schedule of Other Liabilities	'
		At September 30,
		2014		2013
	Net accrued retirement benefits, less amounts recognized within accrued liabilities	$	38,850	$	39,956
	Total unrecognized tax benefits, net of offsetting adjustments		14,707		20,343
	Acquired performance obligations and unfavorable contracts (1)		12,792		23,951
	Deferred economic incentives (2)		18,408		8,266
	Other		16,454		12,994
		$	101,211	$	105,510

Other_Income_Expense_Net_Table

Other (Income) Expense, Net (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Other (Income) Expense, Net	'
Schedule of Other (Income) Expense, Net	'
		Year Ended September 30,
		2014		2013		2012
	Net (gain) loss on sale of assets	$	166	$	-100	$	16
	Rent income		-565		-555		-504
	Net gain on investments in deferred compensation program		-794		-946		-1,052
	Other		-107		-21		-40
		$	-1,300	$	-1,622	$	-1,580

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Taxes	'
Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	'
				Year Ended September 30,
				2014			2013			2012
	Current:
		Federal		$	48,327		$	29,438		$	47,862
		State			5,752			4,760			4,452
		Foreign			16,594			10,612			11,594
	Deferred:
		Federal			-4,378			13,904			-9,632
		State			-2,966			885			-200
		Foreign			-1,929			-5,970			2,142
				$	61,400		$	53,629		$	56,218
Earnings Before Income Taxes by Geographical Area	'
			Year Ended September 30,
			2014			2013			2012
	United States		$	148,837		$	148,604		$	146,535
	Other countries			78,407			50,967			51,272
			$	227,244		$	199,571		$	197,807
Composition of Deferred Income Taxes	'
				At September 30,
				2014			2013
	Deferred tax assets:
		Defined benefit plans, Other postretirement		$	10,762		$	10,563
		Foreign net operating loss carryforwards			5,552			7,058
		Inventory			21,608			16,944
		Deferred and stock-based compensation			24,987			18,657
		Defined benefit pension			227			866
		Other reserves			10,513			9,055
		Credits and incentives			8,178			8,046
		Other			11,422			10,584
		Valuation allowance			-9,486			-11,783
		Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance			83,763			69,990
	Deferred tax liabilities:
		Goodwill and intangibles - net			-96,493			-97,804
		Property, plant and equipment			-18,288			-17,175
		Other			-7,419			-3,391
		Total deferred tax liabilities			-122,200			-118,370
	Net deferred tax liabilities			$	-38,437		$	-48,380
Reconciliation of U.S. Statutory Tax Rate to Effective Tax Rate	'
				Year Ending September 30,
	Percent of pretax earnings			2014			2013			2012
	Statutory tax rate			35.0	%		35.0	%		35.0	%
	State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit			1.3			1.8			1.6
	Taxes on international activities			-3.7			-1.7			-3.3
	Research credit			-0.7			-3.1			-0.8
	Retroactive extension of research credit			-			-2.5			-
	Domestic production activities deduction			-1.3			-2			-1.9
	Adjustments of prior period tax items			-2.9			-0.6			-1.5
	Other items, net			-0.7			-			-0.7
	Effective tax rate			27.0	%		26.9	%		28.4	%
Reconciliation of the Beginning and Ending Amounts of Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits	'
			Year Ending September 30,
			2014			2013			2012
	Beginning balance		$	22,694		$	18,069		$	16,931
	Additions to current year tax positions			8,830			5,587			1,444
	Reductions to prior year tax positions			-9,684			-			-169
	Additions to prior year tax positions			1,844			1,079			-
	Lapse of applicable statute of limitations			-997			-2,041			-137
	Ending balance		$	22,687		$	22,694		$	18,069

Retirement_Benefits_Tables

Retirement Benefits (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Schedule of Accumulated Benefit Obligations In Excess of and Less Than Fair Value of Plan Assets	'
			Plans with accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets						Plans with accumulated benefit obligation less than plan assets
			At September 30,						At September 30,
			2014			2013			2014			2013
	Projected benefit obligation		$	-25,955		$	-38,473		$	-175,320		$	-151,950
	Accumulated benefit obligation			-25,955			-36,739			-172,509			-140,023
	Fair value of plan assets			24,671			34,717			180,490			155,458
Schedule of Allocation of Plan Assets, Fair Value Hieracrchy	'
			At September 30, 2014
			Level 1						Level 2					Level 3
			United States			Other Countries			United States			Other Countries		United States		Other Countries		Total
	Asset Category:
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	316		$	168		$	-		$	-	$	-	$	-	$	484
	Mutual funds:
	U.S. corporate bond fund			56,559			-			-			-		-		-		56,559
	U.S. equity large cap fund			49,220			-			-			-		-		-		49,220
	International equity large cap growth fund			35,995			-			-			-		-		-		35,995
	Pooled funds:
	Japanese equity securities			-			-			-			2,330		-		-		2,330
	International equity securities			-			-			-			2,067		-		-		2,067
	Japanese fixed income securities			-			-			-			4,676		-		-		4,676
	International fixed income securities			-			-			-			1,638		-		-		1,638
	Global target return equity/bond fund			-			-			-			12,327		-		-		12,327
	Index linked U.K. equity fund			-			-			-			6,240		-		-		6,240
	Index linked international equity fund			-			-			-			6,593		-		-		6,593
	Index linked U.K. corporate bonds fund			-			-			-			16,897		-		-		16,897
	Index linked U.K.  government securities fund			-			-			-			4,566		-		-		4,566
	Index linked U.K. long-term government securities fund			-			-			-			5,569		-		-		5,569
	Total assets		$	142,090		$	168		$	-		$	62,903	$	-	$	-	$	205,161
			At September 30, 2013
			Level 1						Level 2					Level 3
			United States			Other Countries			United States			Other Countries		United States		Other Countries		Total
	Asset Category:
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	273		$	149		$	-		$	-	$	-	$	-	$	422
	Mutual funds:
	U.S. corporate bond fund			49,328			-			-			-		-		-		49,328
	U.S. equity large cap fund			44,140			-			-			-		-		-		44,140
	International equity large cap growth fund			35,777			-			-			-		-		-		35,777
	Pooled funds:
	Japanese equity securities			-			-			-			2,269		-		-		2,269
	International equity securities			-			-			-			1,989		-		-		1,989
	Japanese fixed income securities			-			-			-			4,414		-		-		4,414
	International fixed income securities			-			-			-			1,535		-		-		1,535
	Global target return equity/bond fund			-			-			-			11,324		-		-		11,324
	Index linked U.K. equity fund			-			-			-			6,060		-		-		6,060
	Index linked international equity fund			-			-			-			6,047		-		-		6,047
	Index linked U.K. corporate bonds fund			-			-			-			15,810		-		-		15,810
	Index linked U.K.  government securities fund			-			-			-			4,176		-		-		4,176
	Index linked U.K. long-term government securities fund			-			-			-			4,908		-		-		4,908
	Insurance backed assets:
	Insurance backed assets			-			-			-			-		-		1,976		1,976
	Total assets		$	129,518		$	149		$	-		$	58,532	$	-	$	1,976	$	190,175
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'
Schedule of Actuarial Assumptions Used	'
		2014			2013			2012
	United States:
	Weighted-average assumptions to determine benefit obligation at September 30:
	Discount rate	4.40	%		5.15	%		4.10	%
	Rate of compensation increase	3.50			3.50			3.50
	Weighted-average assumptions to determine periodic benefit costs for years ended September 30:
	Discount rate	5.15			4.10			5.55
	Rate of compensation increase	3.50			3.50			4.00
	Long-term rate of return on plan assets	7.62			7.59			7.89
	United Kingdom:
	Weighted-average assumptions to determine benefit obligation at September 30:
	Discount rate	4.10	%		4.50	%		4.60	%
	Rate of compensation increase	3.50			3.50			3.90
	Weighted-average assumptions to determine periodic benefit costs for years ended September 30:
	Discount rate	4.50			4.60			5.10
	Rate of compensation increase	3.50			3.90			4.30
	Long-term rate of return on plan assets	5.50			5.50			6.00
	Japan:
	Weighted-average assumptions to determine benefit obligation at September 30:
	Discount rate	1.10	%		1.25	%		1.50	%
	Rate of compensation increase	2.00			2.00			2.00
	Weighted-average assumptions to determine periodic benefit costs for years ended September 30:
	Discount rate	1.25			1.50			1.50
	Rate of compensation increase	2.00			2.00			2.00
	Long-term rate of return on plan assets	3.00			2.80			2.80
	Switzerland:
	Weighted-average assumptions to determine benefit obligation at September 30:
	Discount rate	n/a			2.25	%		1.75	%
	Rate of compensation increase	n/a			2.00			2.00
	Weighted-average assumptions to determine periodic benefit costs for years ended September 30:
	Discount rate	2.25			1.75			2.50
	Rate of compensation increase	2.00			2.00			2.00
	Long-term rate of return on plan assets	2.25			1.75			2.50
Schedule of Net Periodic Benefit Costs	'
			Year Ended September 30,
			United States									Other Countries						Total
			2014			2013			2012			2014		2013		2012		2014		2013		2012
	Service cost		$	3,516		$	4,608		$	3,530		$	988	$	1,052	$	1,136	$	4,504	$	5,660	$	4,666
	Interest cost			6,382			5,569			5,816			2,410		2,113		2,280		8,792		7,682		8,096
	Expected return on plan assets			-9,813			-8,183			-7,008			-3,070		-2,610		-2,584		-12,883		-10,793		-9,592
	Amortization of:
	Net (gains) losses			330			1,374			524			655		465		665		985		1,839		1,189
	Net prior service (benefit) cost			97			75			75			-4		-8		-9		93		67		66
	Settlement costs			-			-			-			-		37		56		-		37		56
	Curtailment (benefits)			-6,624			-			-			-915		-		-		-7,539		-		-
	Net periodic (benefit) cost		$	-6,112		$	3,443		$	2,937		$	64	$	1,049	$	1,544	$	-6,048	$	4,492	$	4,481
Schedule of Changes in Projected Benefit Obligations, Fair Value of Plan Assets, and Funded Status of Plan	'
			At or for the Year Ended September 30,
			United States						Other Countries					Total
			2014			2013			2014			2013		2014		2013
	Changes in projected benefit obligation:
	Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year		$	126,532		$	137,639		$	63,891		$	60,837	$	190,423	$	198,476
	Service cost			3,516			4,608			988			1,052		4,504		5,660
	Interest cost			6,382			5,569			2,410			2,113		8,792		7,682
	Net actuarial (gains) losses			12,446			-18,165			3,015			5,550		15,461		-12,615
	Contribution by participants			-			12			91			241		91		253
	Benefits paid			-3,732			-3,131			-2,318			-2,605		-6,050		-5,736
	Amounts paid by Company for Pension Protection Fund levy			-			-			-13			-2		-13		-2
	Plan amendments			3,355			-			-			-		3,355		-
	Settlements			-			-			-1,985			-406		-1,985		-406
	Curtailments			-10,759			-			-1,499			-271		-12,258		-271
	Foreign currency exchange rate changes			-			-			-1,045			-2,618		-1,045		-2,618
	Projected benefit obligation at end of year		$	137,740		$	126,532		$	63,535		$	63,891	$	201,275	$	190,423
	Changes in fair value of plan assets:
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year		$	129,518		$	105,966		$	60,657		$	55,537	$	190,175	$	161,503
	Actual return on plan assets			15,764			10,621			5,212			6,541		20,976		17,162
	Contributions by the company			540			16,050			2,422			3,187		2,962		19,237
	Contributions by plan participants			-			12			91			241		91		253
	Benefits paid			-3,732			-3,131			-2,318			-2,605		-6,050		-5,736
	Settlements			-			-			-1,985			-406		-1,985		-406
	Foreign currency exchange rate changes			-			-			-1,008			-1,838		-1,008		-1,838
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year		$	142,090		$	129,518		$	63,071		$	60,657	$	205,161	$	190,175
	Net over/(under)funded status at end of year		$	4,350		$	2,986		$	-464		$	-3,234	$	3,886	$	-248
Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet and Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
			At or for the Year Ended September 30,
			United States						Other Countries					Total
			2014			2013			2014			2013		2014		2013
	Amounts recognized in statement of financial position
	consist of:
	Other non-current assets		$	5,634		$	4,154		$	-		$	-	$	5,634	$	4,154
	Other non-current liabilities			-1,284			-1,168			-464			-3,234		-1,748		-4,402
	Net over/(under)funded status at end of year		$	4,350		$	2,986		$	-464		$	-3,234	$	3,886	$	-248
	Amounts recognized in accumulated other
	comprehensive income consist of:
	Unrecognized net prior service (benefit) cost		$	4,624		$	1,367		$	-		$	-4	$	4,624	$	1,363
	Unrecognized net (gains) losses			9,867			7,841			11,902			12,371		21,769		20,212
	Total amounts recognized			14,491			9,208			11,902			12,367		26,393		21,575
	Deferred taxes			-5,527			-3,499			-4,131			-4,203		-9,658		-7,702
	Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income		$	8,964		$	5,709		$	7,771		$	8,164	$	16,735	$	13,873
Schedule of Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations Recorded in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
			Year Ended September 30,
			United States						Other Countries					Total
			2014			2013			2014			2013		2014		2013
	Net (gain) loss		$	-4,269		$	-20,604		$	-622		$	1,349	$	-4,891	$	-19,255
	Prior service cost			3,355			-			-			-		3,355	$	-
	Loss (gain) due to settlement or curtailment arising during the period			6,624			-			915			-36		7,539		-36
	Amortization of:
	Net gains (losses)			-330			-1,374			-655			-464		-985		-1,838
	Prior service benefit (cost)			-97			-75			4			7		-93		-68
	Foreign currency exchange rate changes			-			-			-107			-673		-107		-673
	Total recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss (income)		$	5,283		$	-22,053		$	-465		$	183	$	4,818	$	-21,870
Schedule of Amounts Expected to be Amortized from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Reported as a Component of Net Periodic Benefit Cost During the Next Fiscal Year	'
			United States			Other Countries			Total
	Prior service (benefit) cost		$	383		$	-		$	383
	Net actuarial (gains) losses			396			466			862
Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments	'
	Year Ending September 30,		United States			Other Countries			Total
	2015		$	4,760		$	2,353		$	7,113
	2016			5,291			2,363			7,654
	2017			5,897			2,554			8,451
	2018			6,520			2,574			9,094
	2019			7,154			3,036			10,190
	2020 – 2024			43,682			14,756			58,438
Schedule of Allocation of Plan Assets, Actual and Target Allocations	'
			At September 30,
			2014						2013
			Percentage of Plan Assets		Target Allocation Ranges				Percentage of Plan Assets		Target Allocation Ranges
	United States:
	Asset Class
	Equity Securities		60.0%		40.7%	-	80.7%		61.7%		40.70%	-	80.70%
	Debt Securities		39.8%		29.3%	-	49.3%		38.1%		29.30%	-	49.30%
	Other		0.2%		0.00%				0.2%		0.00%
			100.0%						100.0%
	United Kingdom:
	Asset Class
	Equity Securities		48.2%		40.00%	-	70.00%		48.4%		40.00%	-	70.00%
	Debt Securities		51.7%		35.00%	-	65.00%		51.5%		35.00%	-	65.00%
	Other		0.1%		0.00%				0.1%		0.00%
			100.0%						100.0%
	Japan:
	Asset Class
	Equity Securities		40.7%		36.00%	-	44.00%		41.3%		36.00%	-	44.00%
	Debt Securities		58.4%		55.00%	-	63.00%		57.8%		55.00%	-	63.00%
	Other		0.9%		0.00%	-	2.00%		0.9%		0.00%	-	2.00%
			100.0%						100.0%
	Switzerland:
	Asset Class
	Equity Securities		n/a		n/a				0.0%		0.00%
	Debt Securities		n/a		n/a				0.0%		0.00%
	Other		n/a		n/a				100.0%		100.00%
									100.0%
Multiemployer Plan [Member]	'
Schedule of Costs of Retirement Plans	'
				Year Ended September 30,
			2014			2013			2012
	Company contributions		$	728		$	797		$	792
Defined Contribution Plan [Member]	'
Schedule of Costs of Retirement Plans	'
				Year Ended September 30,
			2014			2013			2012
	Company costs		$	24,921		$	20,012		$	18,296
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'
Schedule of Actuarial Assumptions Used	'
		2014			2013			2012
	Weighted-average discount rate used to determine benefit obligation at September 30	4.40	%		5.14	%		4.11	%
	Weighted-average discount rate used to determine net periodic benefit cost for years ended September 30	5.14			4.11			5.54
Schedule of Net Periodic Benefit Costs	'
			Year Ended September 30,
			2014			2013			2012
	Service cost		$	47		$	71		$	70
	Interest cost			1,432			1,244			1,798
	Amortization of:
	Net (gains) losses			-200			-68			91
	Net prior service (benefit) cost			-158			-158			-550
	Net periodic (benefit) cost		$	1,121		$	1,089		$	1,409
Schedule of Changes in Projected Benefit Obligations, Fair Value of Plan Assets, and Funded Status of Plan	'
			Year Ended September 30,
			2014			2013
	Changes in accumulated postretirement benefit obligation:
	Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation at beginning of year		$	28,996		$	37,550
	Service cost			47			71
	Interest cost			1,432			1,244
	Premiums paid by plan participants			1,843			1,837
	Net actuarial (gains) losses			1,145			-7,501
	Benefits paid			-4,243			-4,206
	Foreign currency exchange rate changes			5			1
	Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation at end of year		$	29,225		$	28,996
	Changes in fair value of plan assets:
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year		$	-		$	-
	Contributions by the company			2,400			2,369
	Premiums paid by plan participants			1,843			1,837
	Benefits paid			-4,243			-4,206
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year		$	-		$	-
	Funded status at end of year		$	-29,225		$	-28,996
Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet and Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
			Year Ended September 30,
			2014			2013
	Amounts recognized in statement of financial position consist of:
	Accrued liabilities		$	-2,262		$	-2,231
	Other non-current liabilities			-26,963			-26,765
	Funded status at end of year		$	-29,225		$	-28,996
	Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss (income) consist of:
	Unrecognized net prior service (benefit) cost		$	-635		$	-794
	Unrecognized net (gains) losses			-3,031			-4,379
	Total amounts recognized			-3,666			-5,173
	Deferred taxes			1,388			1,970
	Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss (income)		$	-2,278		$	-3,203
Schedule of Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations Recorded in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
			Year Ended September 30,
			2014			2013
	Net (gain) loss		$	1,145		$	-7,501
	Amortization of:
	Net gains (losses)			200			68
	Prior service benefit (cost)			159			158
	Foreign currency exchange rate changes			3			-
	Total recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss (income)		$	1,507		$	-7,275
Schedule of Health Care Cost Trend Rates	'
					2014			2013
	Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year				7.00	%		7.00	%
	Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline
	(the ultimate trend rate)				5.00	%		5.00	%
	Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate				2023			2022
Schedule of Health Care Costs Sensitivity	'
			1% increase			1% decrease
	Effect on projected fiscal year 2015 service and interest cost		$	121		$	-106
	Effect on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation at September 30, 2014			2,658			-2,336
Schedule of Future Postretirement Company Contributions	'
	Year Ending September 30,
	2015		$	3,778
	2016			3,802
	2017			3,760
	2018			3,715
	2019			3,686
	2020 – 2024			17,264

Stockholders_Equity_Tables

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Dividends Declared and Paid	'
			Year Ended September 30,
			2014			2013			2012
	Dividends declared and paid		$	21,263		$	21,866		$	21,351
	Dividend per share amount			0.32			0.32			0.31
Stock-based Compensation Expense Recognized	'
			Year Ended September 30,
			2014			2013			2012
	Employee stock-based compensation expense		$	11,241		$	9,414		$	8,628
Schedule of Assumptions Used in Estimate of Fair Value of Stock Option Awards	'
		Year Ended September 30,
		2014						2013				2012
	Expected term (years)		5.8	-	8.6			5.8	-	8.6		5.9	-	8.5
	Estimated volatility		38.50%					48.70%	-	54.90%		48.90%	-	55.60%
	Estimated dividend yield		0.80%					0.80%	-	1.00%		0.70%	-	1.10%
	Risk-free interest rate		1.70%	-	2.50%			0.80%	-	1.30%		0.80%	-	1.60%
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value of Options Granted	'
			Year Ended September 30,
			2014			2013			2012
	Weighted-average grant date fair value of options		$	15.63		$	15.84		$	12.14
Activity for Stock Option Awards	'
				Number			Weighted-Average Exercise Price
	Balance at September 30, 2013				4,423		$	25.06
	Options granted				694			40.99
	Options exercised				-562			19.67
	Options forfeited				-54			34.06
	Balance at September 30, 2014				4,501			28.08
Stock Options Vested, Or Expected to Vest and Are Exercisable	'
			Number			Weighted- Average Exercise Price			Weighted- Average Remaining Life in Years		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
	Options outstanding			4,501		$	28.08			5.6	$	87,923
	Options vested and exercisable			2,822			24.07			4.1		66,458
	Options vested and expected to vest			4,419			27.92			5.5		87,066
Other Stock Option Information	'
			Year Ended September 30,
			2014			2013			2012
	Total fair value of stock options vested		$	9,459		$	7,271		$	5,907
	Total intrinsic value of options exercised			14,549			19,692			12,521
	Cash received from exercises of stock options			9,772			8,272			6,180
	Excess tax benefit realized from exercise of stock options			3,751			5,154			3,990
Stock Options [Member]	'
Changes in Nonvested Stock Options	'
			Number			Weighted-Average Exercise Price
	Balance at September 30, 2013			1,737		$	29.97
	Options granted			694			40.99
	Options vested			-698			28.97
	Options forfeited			-54			33.40
	Balance at September 30, 2014			1,679			34.83
Restricted Stock Award [Member]	'
Changes in Restricted Stock Awards	'
			Number			Fair Value per Share
	Balance at September 30, 2013			-		$	n/a
	Shares granted			24			39.43
	Shares vested			-			n/a
	Shares forfeited			-			n/a
	Balance at September 30, 2014			24			39.43

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure	'
Future Minimum Rental Payments	'
	Year Ending September 30,
	2015	$	6,393
	2016		4,327
	2017		3,264
	2018		2,548
	2019		1,377
	Thereafter		1,430
	Total	$	19,339
Rent Expense for All Operating Leases	'
		Year Ended September 30,
		2014		2013		2012
	Rent expense	$	10,897	$	10,243	$	10,247
Future Minimum Unconditional Purchase Obligations	'
	Year Ending September 30,
	2015	$	331,300
	2016		11,445
	2017		-
	2018		-
	2019		-
	Thereafter		-
	Total	$	342,745

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Consolidated Net Sales and Earnings by Segment	'
		Year Ended September 30,
		2014		2013		2012
	Segment external net sales:
	Aerospace	$	1,084,025	$	1,061,477	$	896,083
	Energy		917,215		874,499		969,544
	Total consolidated net sales	$	2,001,240	$	1,935,976	$	1,865,627
	Segment earnings:
	Aerospace	$	159,200	$	166,122	$	130,192
	Energy		134,278		98,940		126,441
	Total segment earnings		293,478		265,062		256,633
	Nonsegment expenses		-43,701		-39,061		-33,365
	Interest expense, net		-22,533		-26,430		-25,461
	Consolidated earnings before income taxes	$	227,244	$	199,571	$	197,807
Consolidated Total Assets, Depreciation and Amortization, and Capital Expenditures by Segment	'
		Year Ended September 30,
		2014		2013		2012
	Segment assets:
	Aerospace	$	1,440,355	$	1,361,861	$	1,059,754
	Energy		610,345		599,007		605,842
	Total segment assets		2,050,700		1,960,868		1,665,596
	Unallocated corporate property, plant and equipment, net		72,992		50,115		15,763
	Other unallocated assets		273,510		207,535		178,605
	Consolidated total assets	$	2,397,202	$	2,218,518	$	1,859,964
	Segment depreciation and amortization:
	Aerospace	$	46,895	$	49,887	$	43,840
	Energy		22,672		20,890		21,738
	Total segment depreciation and amortization		69,567		70,777		65,578
	Unallocated corporate amounts		7,786		3,456		3,039
	Consolidated depreciation and amortization	$	77,353	$	74,233	$	68,617
	Segment capital expenditures:
	Aerospace	$	134,307	$	74,964	$	32,244
	Energy		55,780		28,137		22,590
	Total segment capital expenditures		190,087		103,101		54,834
	Unallocated corporate amounts		17,019		38,499		10,066
	Consolidated capital expenditures	$	207,106	$	141,600	$	64,900
External Net Sales by Geographical Area	'
		Year Ended September 30,
		2014		2013		2012
	United States	$	1,025,149	$	1,058,912	$	927,345
	Europe (1)		519,721		480,922		542,753
	Asia		299,755		287,742		288,738
	Other countries		156,615		108,400		106,791
	Consolidated net sales	$	2,001,240	$	1,935,976	$	1,865,627
Property, Plant, and Equipment - Net by Geographical Area	'
		At September 30,
		2014		2013
	United States	$	457,563	$	285,038
	Germany		26,898		29,619
	Other countries		28,818		35,391
	Consolidated property, plant and equipment, net	$	513,279	$	350,048
U.S. Government Related [Member]	'
U.S. Government Related Sales by Segment	'
		Direct U.S. Government Sales		Indirect U.S. Government Sales		Total U.S. Government Related Sales
	Fiscal year ended September 30, 2014
	Aerospace	$	76,982	$	254,806	$	331,788
	Energy		2,517		5,588		8,105
	Total net external sales	$	79,499	$	260,394	$	339,893
	Percentage of total net sales		4%		13%		17%
	Fiscal year ended September 30, 2013
	Aerospace	$	104,410	$	289,197	$	393,607
	Energy		3,649		8,106		11,755
	Total net external sales	$	108,059	$	297,303	$	405,362
	Percentage of total net sales		6%		15%		21%
	Fiscal year ended September 30, 2012
	Aerospace	$	78,075	$	254,636	$	332,711
	Energy		3,904		7,228		11,132
	Total net external sales	$	81,979	$	261,864	$	343,843
	Percentage of total net sales		4%		14%		18%

Supplemental_Quarterly_Financi1

Supplemental Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information	'
		2014 Fiscal Quarters
		First		Second		Third		Fourth
	Net sales	$	429,042	$	482,467	$	524,284	$	565,447
	Gross margin (1)		113,576		142,439		151,713		167,673
	Earnings before income taxes		32,944		56,756		62,468		75,076
	Net earnings		23,383		44,798		46,001		51,662
	Earnings per share
	Basic earnings per share		0.35		0.67		0.70		0.79
	Diluted earnings per share		0.34		0.66		0.69		0.77
	Cash dividends per share		0.08		0.08		0.08		0.08
		2013 Fiscal Quarters
		First		Second		Third		Fourth
	Net sales	$	408,339	$	485,513	$	483,759	$	558,365
	Gross margin (1)		118,766		137,413		134,277		169,249
	Earnings before income taxes		38,537		50,336		35,497		75,201
	Net earnings		27,368		42,446		23,663		52,465
	Earnings per share
	Basic earnings per share		0.40		0.62		0.35		0.77
	Diluted earnings per share		0.39		0.61		0.34		0.76
	Cash dividends per share		0.08		0.08		0.08		0.08
Segment Reporting [Member]	'
Quarterly Financial Information	'
		2014 Fiscal Quarters
		First		Second		Third		Fourth
	Segment external net sales:
	Aerospace	$	229,872	$	261,021	$	274,923	$	318,209
	Energy		199,170		221,446		249,361		247,238
	Total	$	429,042	$	482,467	$	524,284	$	565,447
	Segment earnings:
	Aerospace	$	22,549	$	40,289	$	39,357	$	57,005
	Energy		27,071		31,888		40,203		35,116
	Total	$	49,620	$	72,177	$	79,560	$	92,121
	Earnings reconciliation:
	Total segment earnings	$	49,620	$	72,177	$	79,560	$	92,121
	Nonsegment expenses		-10,673		-9,293		-11,193		-12,542
	Interest expense, net		-6,003		-6,128		-5,899		-4,503
	Consolidated earnings before income taxes	$	32,944	$	56,756	$	62,468	$	75,076
		2013 Fiscal Quarters
		First		Second		Third		Fourth
	Segment external net sales:
	Aerospace	$	211,389	$	270,493	$	272,218	$	307,377
	Energy		196,950		215,020		211,541		250,988
	Total	$	408,339	$	485,513	$	483,759	$	558,365
	Segment earnings:
	Aerospace	$	31,568	$	41,223	$	38,949	$	54,382
	Energy		23,908		24,235		12,430		38,367
	Total	$	55,476	$	65,458	$	51,379	$	92,749
	Earnings reconciliation:
	Total segment earnings	$	55,476	$	65,458	$	51,379	$	92,749
	Nonsegment expenses		-10,551		-8,174		-9,227		-11,109
	Interest expense, net		-6,388		-6,948		-6,655		-6,439
	Consolidated earnings before income taxes	$	38,537	$	50,336	$	35,497	$	75,201

Schedule_II_Tables

Schedule II (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	'
Schedule II	'
	Column A	Column B		Column C				Column D		Column E
				Additions
	Description	Balance at Beginning of Year		Charged to Costs and Expenses		Charged to Other Accounts (a)		Deductions (b)		Balance at End of Year
	Fiscal year 2014
	Allowance for doubtful accounts	$	8,872	$	1,283	$	916	$	-3,993	$	7,078
	Deferred tax asset valuation allowance		11,783		271		-		-2,568		9,486
	Fiscal year 2013
	Allowance for doubtful accounts		7,217		3,408		5		-1,758		8,872
	Deferred tax asset valuation allowance		2,752		9,031		-		-		11,783
	Fiscal year 2012
	Allowance for doubtful accounts		2,322		4,139		1,074		-318		7,217
	Deferred tax asset valuation allowance		3,201		7		-		-456		2,752

Operations_and_summary_of_sign2

Operations and summary of significant accounting policies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			24 Months Ended	36 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014
Basis of Presentation	'	'	'	'	'	'
Selling, general, and administrative expenses include net foreign currency transaction gains (losses)	'	($1,089,000)	($2,738,000)	($480,000)	'	'
Customer deposits recorded against inventory when right of offset exists	0	0	'	'	'	0
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	0	'	'	'	'	0
Asset Impairment Charges	'	$3,138,000	'	'	$0	'

Operations_ans_summary_of_sign

Operations ans summary of significant accounting policies (Schedule of Accounts Receivable) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accounts receivable	$346,858	$381,065
Allowance for uncollectible customer amounts	-7,078	-8,872
Trade Accounts Receivable [Member]	'	'
Accounts Receivable, Gross	291,584	316,983
Accounts Receivable from Chinese Financial Institution [Member]	'	'
Accounts Receivable, Gross	$62,352	$72,954

Operations_and_summary_of_sign3

Operations and summary of significant accounting policies (Schedule of property, plant, and equipment useful lives) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Enterprise Resource Planning system [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'10 years
Minimum [Member] | Land Improvements [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'3 years
Minimum [Member] | Building and Building Improvements [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'3 years
Minimum [Member] | Leasehold Improvements [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'1 year
Minimum [Member] | Machinery and Production Equipment [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'3 years
Minimum [Member] | Computer Equipment and Software [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'2 years
Minimum [Member] | Office furniture and equipment [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'3 years
Minimum [Member] | Other Capitalized Property Plant and Equipment [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'3 years
Maximum [Member] | Land Improvements [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'40 years
Maximum [Member] | Building and Building Improvements [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'40 years
Maximum [Member] | Leasehold Improvements [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'25 years
Maximum [Member] | Machinery and Production Equipment [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'15 years
Maximum [Member] | Computer Equipment and Software [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'10 years
Maximum [Member] | Office furniture and equipment [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'13 years
Maximum [Member] | Other Capitalized Property Plant and Equipment [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'13 years

Operations_and_summary_of_sign4

Operations and summary of significant accounting policies (Schedule of finite-lived intangible assets useful lives) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Minimum [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	'9 years
Minimum [Member] | Intellectual Property [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	'10 years
Minimum [Member] | Process Technology [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	'8 years
Minimum [Member] | Other Intangibles [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	'3 years
Maximum [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	'30 years
Maximum [Member] | Intellectual Property [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	'17 years
Maximum [Member] | Process Technology [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	'30 years
Maximum [Member] | Other Intangibles [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	'15 years

Earnings_Per_Share_Reconciliat

Earnings Per Share (Reconciliation of Net Earnings to Net Earnings Per Share Basic and Diluted) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Earnings Per Share	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net earnings	$51,662	$46,001	$44,798	$23,383	$52,465	$23,663	$42,446	$27,368	$165,844	$145,942	$141,589
Basic shares outstanding	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	66,432	68,392	68,880
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,344	1,210	1,427
Diluted shares outstanding	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	67,776	69,602	70,307
Basic earnings per share	$0.79	$0.70	$0.67	$0.35	$0.77	$0.35	$0.62	$0.40	$2.50	$2.13	$2.06
Diluted earnings per share	$0.77	$0.69	$0.66	$0.34	$0.76	$0.34	$0.61	$0.39	$2.45	$2.10	$2.01

Earnings_Per_Share_Antidilutiv

Earnings Per Share (Anti-dilutive Stock Options Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Earnings Per Share	'	'	'
Options	12	44	50
Weighted-average option price	$44.04	$40.21	$36.33

Earnings_Per_Share_Schedule_of

Earnings Per Share (Schedule of Treasury Stock Shares Held for Deferred Compensation Included in Basic and Diluted Shares Outstanding) (Details)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Earnings Per Share	'	'	'
Weighted-average treasury stock shares held for deferred compensation obligations	216	256	295

Business_Acquisitions_Narrativ

Business Acquisitions (Narrative) (Details) (Business Acquisition, Acquiree - Duarte Business [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 28, 2012
Business Acquisition, Acquiree - Duarte Business [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Purchase agreement contract price	'	$200,000	'	'	'
Cash paid at closing	'	198,900	'	'	'
Retrospective adjustments primarily related to long-term performance obligations and other accrued liabilities	12,800	'	'	'	'
Current portion of contractual commitment acquired that is expected to result in future losses	'	'	'	'	4,758
Long-term portion of contractual commitment acquired that is expected to result in future losses	'	'	'	'	17,939
Long-term portion of performance obligation acquired	'	'	'	'	23,215
Current portion of performance obligation acquired	'	'	'	'	12,985
Long-term receivable from Seller for services to be provided to the Seller	'	'	'	'	18,097
Current receivable from Seller for services to be provided to the Seller	'	'	'	'	8,103
Transaction costs	'	'	0	1,944	'
Net Sales	'	'	$145,998	$111,261	'

Business_Acquisitions_Schedule

Business Acquisitions (Schedule of Purchase Price) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
				Business Acquisition, Acquiree - Duarte Business [Member]
Cash paid to seller	'	'	'	$198,900
Less cash acquired	'	'	'	-40
Total purchase price	$0	$198,860	$0	$198,860

Business_Acquisitions_Schedule1

Business Acquisitions (Schedule of Purchase Price Allocation) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 28, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified				Business Acquisition, Acquiree - Duarte Business [Member]
Accounts receivable	'	'	'	$14,245
Inventories	'	'	'	30,149
Other current assets	'	'	'	10,370
Property, plant, and equipment	'	'	'	11,804
Goodwill	559,724	561,458	461,374	98,310
Intangible assets	'	'	'	89,700
Other noncurrent assets	'	'	'	18,097
Total assets acquired	'	'	'	272,675
Other current liabilities	'	'	'	32,509
Other noncurrent liabilities	'	'	'	41,306
Total liabilities assumed	'	'	'	73,815
Net assets acquired	'	'	'	$198,860

Business_Acquisitions_Schedule2

Business Acquisitions (Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets Acquired) (Details) (Business Acquisition, Acquiree - Duarte Business [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 28, 2012
Intangible assets	'	$89,700
Process Technology [Member]	'	'
Intangible assets	'	5,000
Weighted Average Useful Life	'25 years	'
Customer Relationships [Member]	'	'
Intangible assets	'	77,000
Weighted Average Useful Life	'20 years	'
Backlog [Member]	'	'
Intangible assets	'	$7,700
Weighted Average Useful Life	'3 years	'

Business_Acquisitions_Schedule3

Business Acquisitions (Schedule of Unaudited Pro Forma Results) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Business Combinations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	$565,447	$524,284	$482,467	$429,042	$558,365	$483,759	$485,513	$408,339	$2,001,240	$1,935,976	$1,865,627
Net earnings	51,662	46,001	44,798	23,383	52,465	23,663	42,446	27,368	165,844	145,942	141,589
Basic earnings per share	$0.79	$0.70	$0.67	$0.35	$0.77	$0.35	$0.62	$0.40	$2.50	$2.13	$2.06
Diluted earnings per share	$0.77	$0.69	$0.66	$0.34	$0.76	$0.34	$0.61	$0.39	$2.45	$2.10	$2.01
Pro forma	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,001,240	1,966,376	1,978,169
Net earnings	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$167,047	$152,431	$131,384
Basic earnings per share	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$2.51	$2.23	$1.91
Diluted earnings per share	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$2.46	$2.19	$1.87

Financial_Instruments_and_Fair2

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Financial liability on recurring basis	0	0
Long Term Note Receivable From Municipality Within The State Of Illinois [Member]	'	'
Interest rate used to estimate fair value	3.20%	4.30%
Long Term Note Receivable From Municipality Within The State Of Colorado [Member]	'	'
Interest rate used to estimate fair value	3.20%	4.30%
Borrowings [Member]	'	'
Interest rate used to estimate fair value	2.40%	2.00%

Financial_Instruments_and_Fair3

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements (Financial Assets that are Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Equity securities	$9,645	$8,285
Total financial assets	124,932	56,841
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Equity securities	9,645	8,285
Total financial assets	124,932	56,841
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Equity securities	0	0
Total financial assets	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Equity securities	0	0
Total financial assets	0	0
Cash [Member]	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	92,590	35,839
Cash [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	92,590	35,839
Cash [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Cash [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Investments in Money Market Funds [Member]	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	11,210	2,950
Investments in Money Market Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	11,210	2,950
Investments in Money Market Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Investments in Money Market Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Investments in Reverse Repurchase Agreements [Member]	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	11,487	9,767
Investments in Reverse Repurchase Agreements [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	11,487	9,767
Investments in Reverse Repurchase Agreements [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Investments in Reverse Repurchase Agreements [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$0	$0

Financial_Instruments_and_Fair4

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements (Estimated Fair Values of Financial Instruments) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Cash and cash equivalents, Carrying Cost	$115,287	$48,556	$61,829	$74,539
Notes receivable from municipalities, Carrying Cost	15,228	8,114	'	'
Long-term debt, including current portion, Carrying Cost	-710,000	-550,000	'	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'	'
Notes receivable from municipalities, Estimated Fair Value	15,988	6,718	'	'
Long-term debt, including current portion, Estimated Fair Value	($752,513)	($588,297)	'	'

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed2

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Interest Expense [Member]

Interest Expense [Member]

Interest Expense [Member]

Interest Expense [Member]

Interest Expense [Member]

Interest Expense [Member]

Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Earnings [Member]

Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Earnings [Member]

Interest Rate Contract [Member]

Derivatives in Fair Value Hedging Relationships [Member]

Derivatives in Fair Value Hedging Relationships [Member]

Derivatives in Fair Value Hedging Relationships [Member]

Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships [Member]

Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships [Member]

Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships [Member]

Amount of (Gain) Loss Recognized in Accumulated OCI on Derivative

$0

($507)

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

($507)

$0

'

'

'

Unrecognized gains (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

170

71

'

Net unrecognized losses on terminated derivative instruments expected to be reclassified to earnings

99

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Term of gain or loss recognition in interest expense on terminated derivatives recorded in OCI

'12 months

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative, Notional Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$25,000

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed3

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Impact of Derivative Instruments on Earnings) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Amount of (Income) Expense Recognized in Earnings on Derivative	$99	$171	$171
Amount of (Gain) Loss Recognized in Accumulated OCI on Derivative	0	-507	0
Amount of (Gain) Loss Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Earnings	99	171	174
Interest Expense [Member] | Derivatives in Fair Value Hedging Relationships [Member]	'	'	'
Amount of (Income) Expense Recognized in Earnings on Derivative	0	0	-3
Amount of (Gain) Loss Recognized in Accumulated OCI on Derivative	0	0	0
Amount of (Gain) Loss Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Earnings	0	0	0
Interest Expense [Member] | Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships [Member]	'	'	'
Amount of (Income) Expense Recognized in Earnings on Derivative	99	171	174
Amount of (Gain) Loss Recognized in Accumulated OCI on Derivative	0	-507	0
Amount of (Gain) Loss Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Earnings	$99	$171	$174

Supplemental_Statements_of_Cas2

Supplemental Statements of Cash Flows Information (Schedule of Cash Flow Supplemental Disclosures) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Supplemental Statements of Cash Flows Information	'	'	'
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized	$27,922	$26,627	$25,665
Income taxes paid	66,477	52,355	52,705
Income tax refunds received	2,303	6,336	3,183
Purchases of property, plant and equipment on account	13,437	5,345	6,065
Common shares issued from treasury for benefit plans (Note 17)	11,193	9,780	9,335
Notes receivable from municipalities for economic development incentives	6,596	8,114	0
Cashless exercise of stock options	1,286	2,645	0
Settlement of receivable through cashless acquisition of treasury shares in connection with the cashless exercise of stock options	$1,736	$3,447	$0

Inventories_Schedule_of_Invent

Inventories (Schedule of Inventories) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventories	'	'
Raw Materials	$60,442	$67,599
Work in progress	93,836	87,808
Component Parts	247,299	229,508
Finished Goods	50,367	46,829
Inventory, net	$451,944	$431,744

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_N2

Property, Plant, and Equipment, Net (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended	24 Months Ended							3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
			Second Campus Rockford Illinois [Member]	Second Campus Rockford Illinois [Member]	New Campus Fort Collins Colorado [Member]	New Campus Fort Collins Colorado [Member]	Building Site Niles Illinois [Member]	Building Site Niles Illinois [Member]	Assets Held-for-sale [Member]	Assets Held-for-sale [Member]
										Land and Building [Member]
Construction in progress	$223,958	$81,428	$85,283	$15,691	$37,268	$10,514	$55,629	$12,067	'	'
Capitalized interest	'	'	2,963	444	2,392	394	1,688	0	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	513,279	350,048	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,465
Asset Impairment Charges	$3,138	$0	'	'	'	'	'	'	$3,138	'

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_N3

Property, Plant, and Equipment, Net (Property, Plant, and Equipment - Net) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Property, Plant, and Equipment, Net	'	'	'
Land and Land Improvements	$66,303	$57,562	'
Buildings and improvements	197,587	195,008	'
Leasehold improvements	20,026	18,924	'
Machinery and production equipment	326,403	305,692	'
Computer equipment and software	103,852	97,538	'
Office furniture and equipment	20,992	24,400	'
Other	18,839	14,197	'
Construction in progress	223,958	81,428	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross, Total	977,960	794,749	'
Less accumulated depreciation	-464,681	-444,701	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Total	513,279	350,048	'
Depreciation expense	43,773	37,254	35,808
Capitalized interest	$7,282	$1,215	$658

Goodwill_Narrative_Details

Goodwill (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		36 Months Ended	12 Months Ended				3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2012
					Aerospace [Member]	Aerospace [Member]	Energy [Member]	Energy [Member]	Minimum [Member]	Maximum [Member]	Business Acquisition, Acquiree - Duarte Business [Member]
											Aerospace [Member]
Goodwill addition	'	$0	$98,310,000	'	$0	$98,310,000	$0	$0	'	'	$98,310,000
Impairment	$0	'	'	$0	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Weighted average cost of capital assumption	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	8.93%	11.04%	'
Assumed annual compound growth rate after five or ten years	4.20%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'

Goodwill_Goodwill_Details

Goodwill (Goodwill) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	$561,458	$461,374
Additions	0	98,310
Effects of Currency Translation	-1,734	1,773
Goodwill, Ending Balance	559,724	561,458
Aerospace [Member]	'	'
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	455,107	356,773
Additions	0	98,310
Effects of Currency Translation	316	23
Goodwill, Ending Balance	455,423	455,107
Energy [Member]	'	'
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	106,351	104,601
Additions	0	0
Effects of Currency Translation	-2,050	1,750
Goodwill, Ending Balance	$104,301	$106,351

Intangible_Assets_Net_Schedule

Intangible Assets, Net (Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Gross Carrying Value	$454,187	$494,609	'
Accumulated Amortization	-199,415	-205,834	'
Net Carrying Amount	254,772	288,775	'
Amortization expense	33,580	36,979	32,809
Process Technology [Member]	'	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	99,683	100,176	'
Accumulated Amortization	-44,860	-37,828	'
Net Carrying Amount	54,823	62,348	'
Customer Relationships [Member]	'	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	323,931	324,233	'
Accumulated Amortization	-129,313	-106,999	'
Net Carrying Amount	194,618	217,234	'
Intellectual Property [Member]	'	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	19,954	20,218	'
Accumulated Amortization	-15,938	-14,722	'
Net Carrying Amount	4,016	5,496	'
Other Intangibles [Member]	'	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	10,619	49,982	'
Accumulated Amortization	-9,304	-46,285	'
Net Carrying Amount	1,315	3,697	'
Aerospace [Member]	'	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	367,930	406,294	'
Accumulated Amortization	-137,465	-147,989	'
Net Carrying Amount	230,465	258,305	'
Aerospace [Member] | Process Technology [Member]	'	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	76,605	76,718	'
Accumulated Amortization	-31,719	-26,129	'
Net Carrying Amount	44,886	50,589	'
Aerospace [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]	'	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	282,225	282,225	'
Accumulated Amortization	-97,281	-77,288	'
Net Carrying Amount	184,944	204,937	'
Aerospace [Member] | Intellectual Property [Member]	'	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	0	0	'
Accumulated Amortization	0	0	'
Net Carrying Amount	0	0	'
Aerospace [Member] | Other Intangibles [Member]	'	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	9,100	47,351	'
Accumulated Amortization	-8,465	-44,572	'
Net Carrying Amount	635	2,779	'
Energy [Member]	'	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	86,257	88,315	'
Accumulated Amortization	-61,950	-57,845	'
Net Carrying Amount	24,307	30,470	'
Energy [Member] | Process Technology [Member]	'	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	23,078	23,458	'
Accumulated Amortization	-13,141	-11,699	'
Net Carrying Amount	9,937	11,759	'
Energy [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]	'	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	41,706	42,008	'
Accumulated Amortization	-32,032	-29,711	'
Net Carrying Amount	9,674	12,297	'
Energy [Member] | Intellectual Property [Member]	'	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	19,954	20,218	'
Accumulated Amortization	-15,938	-14,722	'
Net Carrying Amount	4,016	5,496	'
Energy [Member] | Other Intangibles [Member]	'	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	1,519	2,631	'
Accumulated Amortization	-839	-1,713	'
Net Carrying Amount	$680	$918	'

Intangible_Assets_Net_Schedule1

Intangible Assets, Net (Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Intangible Assets, Net	'	'
2015	$29,309	'
2016	27,606	'
2017	25,862	'
2018	25,035	'
2019	23,199	'
Thereafter	123,761	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Total	$254,772	$288,775

Credit_Facilities_Shortterm_Bo2

Credit Facilities, Short-term Borrowings (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2011

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Foreign Performance Guarantee Facilities [Member]

Foreign Lines of Credit And Overdraft Facilities [Member]

Domestic Line Of Credit [Member]

Domestic Line Of Credit [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Agreement [Member]

Revolving Credit Agreement [Member]

Revolving Credit Agreement [Member]

Revolving Credit Agreement [Member]

Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement [Member]

Chinese Credit Facility [Member]

Chinese Credit Facility, RMB Denominated Loan [Member]

The Notes [Member]

2008 Term Loan [Member]

2008 Term Loan [Member]

2008 Term Loan [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum borrowing capacity

$637,637

'

'

'

$9,678

$27,959

'

$200,000

$600,000

$600,000

'

'

'

'

$22,700

'

'

'

'

'

'

Option to increase maximum borrowings to this amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Expiration Date

'

'

'

'

'

'

20-Dec-13

'

'

1-Jul-18

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Initiation Date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

21-Dec-12

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Variable Rate Basis

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'prime rate or an adjusted LIBOR

'

'LIBOR

'

'

'

'

'

'interest at the prevailing interest rate offered by the People's Bank of China on the date of borrowing, plus a margin equal to 25% of that prevailing rate

'interest at the lender's cost of borrowing rate at the date of borrowing, plus 3%

'

'LIBOR

'

'

Basis Spread On Variable Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.85%

1.65%

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.00%

2.25%

Credit facility effective interest rate on outstanding borrowing

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.21%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cross default provisions related to the Companybs other outstanding debt arrangements in excess of this amount, the occurrence of which would permit the lenders to accelerate the amounts due thereunder

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

60,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Covenant, Minimum Consolidated Net Worth Calculation, Base Value

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

800,000

'

'

'

Debt Covenant, Minimum Consolidated Net Worth Calculation, Percentage of Net Income

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

50.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

50.00%

'

'

'

Debt Covenant, Minimum Consolidated Net Worth Calculation, Percentage of Net Proceeds of Issuance of Capital Stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

50.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Covenant, Leverage Ratio, Maximum

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3.5 to 1.0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3.5 to 1.0

'

'

'

Debt Covenant, Leverage Ratio During Material Acquisition Period, Maximum

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'4.0 to 1.0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'4.0 to 1.0

'

'

'

Debt Covenant, Leverage Ratio Next Two Succeeding Fiscal Quarters Following Material Acquisition, Maximum

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3.75 to 1.0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Deferred financing costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

1,651

'

'

1,529

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Repayment of long-term debt

300,000

41,875

33,365

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accelerated amortization of debt financing costs recognized as interest expense

1,014

1,045

1,074

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

128

'

'

Outstanding borrowings

210,000

'

'

'

0

0

'

'

210,000

210,000

0

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Rationale for Classification as Long-term Debt

'

'Woodward classified the $200,000 outstanding on the Line of Credit as long-term as of September 30, 2013 based on its intention to refinance in fiscal year 2014

'

'

'

'

'

'Woodward classified the $200,000 outstanding on the Line of Credit as long-term as of September 30, 2013 based on its intention to refinance in fiscal year 2014.

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Deferred Finance Costs, Gross

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

1,651

'

'

1,529

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity

421,699

'

'

'

9,235

27,872

'

'

384,592

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Additional borrowing availability

421,699

'

'

'

9,235

27,872

'

'

384,592

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term debt, excluding current portion

710,000

450,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value

115,287

48,556

61,829

74,539

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash and cash equivalents

115,287

48,556

61,829

74,539

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amortization of Financing Costs

$1,014

$1,045

$1,074

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$128

'

'

Longterm_Debt_Narrative_Detail

Long-term Debt (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

The Notes [Member]

Non Floating Rate Notes [Member]

2008 Note Purchase Agreement [Member]

2009 Note Purchase Agreement [Member]

2013 Note Purchase Agreement [Member]

2013 Note Purchase Agreement [Member]

Floating Rate Notes [Member]

Series J Notes [Member]

First Closing Notes [Member]

Second Closing Notes [Member]

2008 Term Loan [Member]

2008 Term Loan [Member]

2008 Term Loan [Member]

2008 Term Loan [Member]

Foreign Performance Guarantee Facilities [Member]

Foreign Lines of Credit And Overdraft Facilities [Member]

Domestic Line Of Credit [Member]

Domestic Line Of Credit [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Chinese Credit Facility [Member]

Chinese Credit Facility, RMB Denominated Loan [Member]

Revolving Credit Agreement [Member]

Revolving Credit Agreement [Member]

Revolving Credit Agreement [Member]

Revolving Credit Agreement [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Issuance Date

'

'

'

'

'

1-Oct-08

1-Apr-09

1-Oct-13

'

'

'

1-Oct-13

15-Nov-13

'

1-Oct-08

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Face Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$250,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Variable Rate Basis

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'LIBOR

'

'

'

'

'

'

'prime rate or an adjusted LIBOR

'

'

'interest at the prevailing interest rate offered by the People's Bank of China on the date of borrowing, plus a margin equal to 25% of that prevailing rate

'interest at the lender's cost of borrowing rate at the date of borrowing, plus 3%

'LIBOR

'

'

'

Basis Spread On Variable Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.00%

2.25%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.85%

1.65%

Variable interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.49%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Covenant, Leverage Ratio, Maximum

'

'

'

'3.5 to 1.0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3.5 to 1.0

'

'

'

Debt Covenant, Minimum Consolidated Net Worth Calculation, Base Value

'

'

'

800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

800,000

'

'

'

Debt Covenant, Minimum Consolidated Net Worth Calculation, Percentage of Net Income

'

'

'

50.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

50.00%

'

'

'

Debt Covenant, Minimum Consolidated Net Worth Calculation, Percentage of Net Proceeds of Issuance of Capital Stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

50.00%

'

'

'

Debt Covenant, Calculations, Period Of Time

'

'

'

'rolling four quarter basis

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cross default provisions related to the Companybs other outstanding debt arrangements in excess of this amount, the occurrence of which would permit the lenders to accelerate the amounts due thereunder

'

'

'

60,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Covenant, Leverage Ratio During Material Acquisition Period, Maximum

'

'

'

'4.0 to 1.0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'4.0 to 1.0

'

'

'

Debt Covenant, Maximum Percentage of Priority Debt To Consolidated Net Worth

'

'

'

25.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Prepayment, Maximum Percentage of Principal

'

'

'

100.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Prepayment, Partial Payment Minimum

'

'

'

1,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Prepayment, Make-Whole Amount Computation, Discount Rate Basis Points

'

'

'

'

50

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument Prepayment Make Whole Amount Computation

'

'

'

'

'discounting the remaining scheduled payments of interest and principal of the Notes being prepaid at a discount rate equal to the sum of 50 basis points and the yield to maturity of U.S. Treasury securities having a maturity equal to the remaining average life of the Notes being prepaid.

'

'

'

'

'computed as a percentage of the principal amount of such floating rate Notes equal to (a) 2%, on or prior to November 15, 2014, (b) 1%, after November 15, 2014 and on or prior to November 15, 2015, and (c) 0% after November 15, 2015.

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt financing costs

1,297

1,651

2,185

'

'

'

'

'

1,297

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amortization of debt financing costs recognized as interest expense

1,014

1,045

1,074

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

128

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Balance of unamortized debt financing costs

4,276

3,869

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Initiation Date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

21-Dec-12

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Expiration Date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

20-Dec-13

'

'

'

'

'

1-Jul-18

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity

637,637

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

9,678

27,959

'

200,000

600,000

22,700

'

'

600,000

'

'

'

Outstanding borrowings

$210,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$0

$0

'

'

$210,000

$0

'

'

$210,000

$0

'

'

Credit facility effective interest rate on outstanding borrowing

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.21%

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Rationale for Classification as Long-term Debt

'

'Woodward classified the $200,000 outstanding on the Line of Credit as long-term as of September 30, 2013 based on its intention to refinance in fiscal year 2014

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'Woodward classified the $200,000 outstanding on the Line of Credit as long-term as of September 30, 2013 based on its intention to refinance in fiscal year 2014.

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Credit_Facilities_and_Shortter

Credit Facilities and Short-term Borrowings (Short-term Borrowings and Availability Under Various Short-term Credit Facilities) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified		Foreign Performance Guarantee Facilities [Member]	Foreign Lines of Credit And Overdraft Facilities [Member]	Domestic Line Of Credit [Member]	Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	Chinese Credit Facility [Member]
Total availability	$637,637	$9,678	$27,959	$200,000	$600,000	$22,700
Outstanding letters of credit and guarantees	-5,937	-443	-86	'	-5,408	'
Outstanding borrowings	210,000	0	0	'	210,000	0
Remaining availability	$421,699	$9,235	$27,872	'	$384,592	'

Longterm_Debt_Schedule_of_Long

Long-term Debt (Schedule of Long-term Debt) (Details) (USD $)

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Domestic Line Of Credit [Member]

Domestic Line Of Credit [Member]

2008 Term Loan [Member]

2008 Term Loan [Member]

2008 Term Loan [Member]

Series B Notes [Member]

Series B Notes [Member]

Series C Notes [Member]

Series C Notes [Member]

Series D Notes [Member]

Series D Notes [Member]

Series E Notes [Member]

Series E Notes [Member]

Series F Notes [Member]

Series F Notes [Member]

Series J Notes [Member]

Series J Notes [Member]

Series J Notes [Member]

Series G Notes [Member]

Series H Notes [Member]

Series I Notes [Member]

Series K Notes [Member]

Series L Notes [Member]

Domestic Line Of Credit [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Agreement [Member]

Revolving Credit Agreement [Member]

Revolving Credit Agreement [Member]

Chinese Credit Facility, RMB Denominated Loan [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Notes Payable to Banks [Member]

Notes Payable to Banks [Member]

Notes Payable to Banks [Member]

Notes Payable to Banks [Member]

Notes Payable to Banks [Member]

Notes Payable to Banks [Member]

Notes Payable to Banks [Member]

Notes Payable to Banks [Member]

Notes Payable to Banks [Member]

Notes Payable to Banks [Member]

Notes Payable to Banks [Member]

Notes Payable to Banks [Member]

Notes Payable to Banks [Member]

Notes Payable to Banks [Member]

Notes Payable to Banks [Member]

Notes Payable to Banks [Member]

Notes Payable to Banks [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Long-term debt balance

$500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

$0

$100,000

$50,000

$50,000

$100,000

$100,000

$57,000

$57,000

$43,000

$43,000

'

'

$50,000

$50,000

$25,000

$25,000

$50,000

$50,000

$200,000

$210,000

'

'

'

'

'

Variable interest rate

'

'

'

1.06%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.49%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis

'

'

'

'

'LIBOR

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'LIBOR

'LIBOR

'

'

'

'

'

'prime rate or an adjusted LIBOR

'

'LIBOR

'

'

'interest at the prevailing interest rate offered by the People's Bank of China on the date of borrowing, plus a margin equal to 25% of that prevailing rate

'interest at the lender's cost of borrowing rate at the date of borrowing, plus 3%

Basis Spread On Variable Rate

'

'

'

'

'

1.00%

2.25%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.25%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.85%

1.65%

'

'

Interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5.63%

5.63%

5.92%

5.92%

6.39%

6.39%

7.81%

7.81%

8.24%

8.24%

'

'

'

3.42%

4.03%

4.18%

4.03%

4.18%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Credit facility effective interest rate on outstanding borrowing

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.21%

'

'

'

'

Maturity date

'

'

20-Dec-13

'

'

'

'

1-Oct-13

1-Oct-13

1-Oct-15

1-Oct-15

1-Oct-18

1-Oct-18

3-Apr-16

3-Apr-16

3-Apr-19

3-Apr-19

'

'

15-Nov-20

15-Nov-20

15-Nov-23

15-Nov-25

15-Nov-23

15-Nov-25

'

1-Jul-18

'

'

'

'

'

Total debt

710,000

550,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Current portion of long-term debt

0

-100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term debt, excluding current portion

$710,000

$450,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Longterm_Debt_Schedule_of_Futu

Long-term Debt (Schedule of Future Principal Payments of Long-term Debt) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
2015	$0
2016	107,000
2017	0
2018	0
2019	143,000
Thereafter	250,000
Long-term debt balance	$500,000

Accrued_Liabilities_Accrued_Li

Accrued Liabilities (Accrued Liabilities) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accrued Liabilities	'	'	'	'
Salaries and other member benefits	$95,031	$66,212	'	'
Warranties	16,916	15,224	15,742	14,083
Interest payable	12,487	11,437	'	'
Current portion of acquired performance obligations and unfavorable contracts	16,432	23,977	'	'
Accrued retirement benefits	2,286	2,276	'	'
Deferred revenues	6,108	6,304	'	'
Taxes, other than income	8,557	6,504	'	'
Other	14,914	29,807	'	'
Accrued liabilities	$172,731	$161,741	'	'

Accrued_Liabilities_Warranties

Accrued Liabilities (Warranties) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Accrued Liabilities	'	'	'
Warranties, beginning of period	$15,224	$15,742	$14,083
Warranty Expense	10,700	12,037	14,543
Increases due to acquisition of Duarte Business	0	157	0
Reductions for settling warranties	-8,448	-13,051	-12,587
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	-560	339	-297
Warranties, end of period	$16,916	$15,224	$15,742

Other_Liabilities_Details

Other Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other Liabilities	'	'
Net accrued retirement benefits, less amounts recognized within accrued liabilities	$38,850	$39,956
Total unrecognized tax benefits, net of offsetting adjustments	14,707	20,343
Acquired performance obligations and unfavorable contracts	12,792	23,951
Deferred economic incentives	18,408	8,266
Other	16,454	12,994
Other liabilities	$101,211	$105,510

Other_Income_Expense_Net_Detai

Other (Income) Expense, Net (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Other (Income) Expense, Net	'	'	'
Net (gain) loss on sales of assets	$166	($100)	$16
Rent income	-565	-555	-504
Net gain on investments in deferred compensation program	-794	-946	-1,052
Other	-107	-21	-40
Other (income) expense, net	($1,300)	($1,622)	($1,580)

Income_Taxes_Narrative_Details

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2011
Income Taxes	'	'	'	'
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards, Foreign	'	$5,552	$7,058	'
Undistributed foreign earnings for which Woodward has not provided for taxes	'	253,797	'	'
Estimated decrease in liability for unrecognized tax benefits	'	114	'	'
Unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate	'	12,807	17,838	'
Accrued interest and penalties	'	1,158	2,066	'
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	18,069	22,687	22,694	16,931
Tax benefit related to reduction in the amount of undistributed earnings expected to be repatriated to the US in the forseeable future	$3,326	'	'	'

Income_Taxes_Components_of_Inc

Income Taxes (Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit)) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Current:	'	'	'
Federal	$48,327	$29,438	$47,862
State	5,752	4,760	4,452
Foreign	16,594	10,612	11,594
Deferred:	'	'	'
Federal	-4,378	13,904	-9,632
State	-2,966	885	-200
Foreign	-1,929	-5,970	2,142
Income tax expense	$61,400	$53,629	$56,218

Income_Taxes_Earings_Before_In

Income Taxes (Earings Before Income Taxes by Geographical Area) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
United States	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$148,837	$148,604	$146,535
Other countries	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	78,407	50,967	51,272
Consolidated earnings before income taxes	$75,076	$62,468	$56,756	$32,944	$75,201	$35,497	$50,336	$38,537	$227,244	$199,571	$197,807

Income_Taxes_Composition_of_De

Income Taxes (Composition of Deferred Income Taxes) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred tax assets:	'	'
Defined benefit plans, other postretirement	$10,762	$10,563
Foreign net operating loss carryforwards	5,552	7,058
Inventory	21,608	16,944
Deferred and stock-based compensation	24,987	18,657
Defined benefit pension	227	866
Other reserves	10,513	9,055
Credits and incentives	8,178	8,046
Other	11,422	10,584
Valuation allowance	-9,486	-11,783
Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance	83,763	69,990
Deferred tax liabilities:	'	'
Goodwill and intangibles - net	-96,493	-97,804
Property, plant and equipment	-18,288	-17,175
Other	-7,419	-3,391
Total deferred tax liabilities	-122,200	-118,370
Net deferred tax liabilities	($38,437)	($48,380)

Income_Taxes_Reconciliation_of

Income Taxes (Reconciliation of U.S Statutory Rate to Effective Tax Rate) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Taxes	'	'	'
Statutory tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit	1.30%	1.80%	1.60%
Taxes on international activities	-3.70%	-1.70%	-3.30%
Research credit	-0.70%	-3.10%	-0.80%
Retroactive extension of research credit	0.00%	-2.50%	0.00%
Domestic production activities deduction	-1.30%	-2.00%	-1.90%
Adjustments of prior period tax items	-2.90%	-0.60%	-1.50%
Other items, net	-0.70%	0.00%	-0.70%
Effective tax rate	27.00%	26.90%	28.40%

Income_Taxes_Reconciliation_of1

Income Taxes (Reconciliation of the Beginning and Ending Amounts of Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Taxes	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	$22,694	$18,069	$16,931
Additions to current year tax positions	8,830	5,587	1,444
Reductions to prior year tax positions	-9,684	0	-169
Additions to prior year tax positions	1,844	1,079	'
Lapse of applicable statute of limitations	-997	-2,041	-137
Ending Balance	$22,687	$22,694	$18,069

Retirement_Benefits_Narrative_

Retirement Benefits (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Value of Company Stock Contributed to Defined Contribution Benefit Plans	$11,193	$9,780	$9,335
Shares of Woodward stock held in Woodward Retirement Savings Plan	5,176	5,681	'
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Net periodic retirement pension (beneift) cost	-6,048	4,492	4,481
Projected benefit obligation	201,275	190,423	198,476
Fair value of plan assets	205,161	190,175	161,503
Benefits paid	6,050	5,736	'
United States Pension Plans of US Entity, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Net periodic retirement pension (beneift) cost	-6,112	3,443	2,937
Discount rate support/source data	'In the United States, Woodward used a bond portfolio matching analysis based on recently traded, non-callable bonds rated AA or better that have at least $50 million outstanding.	'	'
Projected benefit obligation	137,740	126,532	137,639
Fair value of plan assets	142,090	129,518	105,966
Benefits paid	3,732	3,131	'
Estimated future employer contributions in the next fiscal year	21	'	'
Accumulated benefit obligation	137,423	116,061	'
United Kingdom Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Projected benefit obligation	52,710	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	52,260	'	'
Estimated future employer contributions in the next fiscal year	1,507	'	'
Japan Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Projected benefit obligation	10,825	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	10,811	'	'
Estimated future employer contributions in the next fiscal year	1,045	'	'
Switzerland Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Discount rate support/source data	'In Switzerland, Woodward used high quality swap rates plus a credit spread of 0.20% in fiscal year 2013 and 0.46% in fiscal year 2012, as high quality swaps are available in Switzerland at various durations and trade at higher volumes than bonds.	'	'
Foreign Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Net periodic retirement pension (beneift) cost	64	1,049	1,544
Discount rate support/source data	'In the United Kingdom and Japan, Woodward used cash flow matching to develop a single rate equivalent for a theoretical portfolio of non-callable, AA-rated bonds for each jurisdiction.	'	'
Projected benefit obligation	63,535	63,891	60,837
Fair value of plan assets	63,071	60,657	55,537
Benefits paid	2,318	2,605	'
Accumulated benefit obligation	61,041	60,701	'
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Net periodic retirement pension (beneift) cost	1,121	1,089	1,409
Projected benefit obligation	29,225	28,996	37,550
Fair value of plan assets	0	0	0
Benefits paid	4,243	4,206	'
Estimated future employer contributions in the next fiscal year	3,778	'	'
Option to elect company provided medical insurance coverage up to this age and a Medicare supplemental plan after this age	65	'	'
Approximate number of retired employees and their covered dependents and beneficiaries currently providing postretirement benefits	900	'	'
Approximate number of active employees and their covered dependants and beneficiaries who may receive postretirement benefits in the future	45	'	'
As a result of a plan amendment, all postretirement medical benefits are fully insured for retirees who have attained this age	65	'	'
Accumulated benefit obligation	29,225	28,996	'
United Kingdom, Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Discount rate support/source data	'In the United Kingdom Woodward used cash flow matching to develop a single rate equivalent for a theoretical portfolio of non-callable, AA-rated bonds.	'	'
Projected benefit obligation	438	'	'
Benefits paid	10	'	'
United States Postretirement Benefit Plans of US Entity, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Discount rate support/source data	'In the United States, Woodward used a bond portfolio matching analysis based on recently traded, non-callable bonds rated AA or better that have at least $50 million outstanding.	'	'
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	484	422	'
Pooled funds: Index linked U.K. government securities fund [Member] | Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	4,566	4,176	'
Pooled funds: Index linked U.K. long-term government securities fund [Member] | Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	5,569	4,908	'
Mutual funds: U.S. corporate bond fund [Member] | Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	56,559	49,328	'
Pooled funds: Index linked U.K. corporate bonds fund [Member] | Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	16,897	15,810	'
Equity Funds [Member] | Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	12,327	11,324	'
Pooled funds: Japanese fixed income securities [Member] | Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	4,676	4,414	'
Pooled funds: International fixed income securities [Member] | Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	1,638	1,535	'
Mutual funds: U.S. equity large cap fund [Member] | Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	49,220	44,140	'
Mutual funds: International equity large cap growth fund [Member] | Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	35,995	35,777	'
Pooled funds: Japanese equity securities [Member] | Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	2,330	2,269	'
Pooled funds: International equity securities [Member] | Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	2,067	1,989	'
Pooled funds: Index linked U.K. equity fund [Member] | Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	6,240	6,060	'
Pooled funds: Index linked international equity fund [Member] | Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	6,593	6,047	'
Insurance Backed Assets [Member] | Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	'	1,976	'
Multiemployer Plan, Japan [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
One-time contribution that would be incurred if the Company elects to withdraw	500	'	'
Multiemployer Plan, Japan [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
One-time contribution that would be incurred if the Company elects to withdraw	1,500	'	'
Treasury Stock at Cost [Member]	'	'	'
Value of Company Stock Contributed to Defined Contribution Benefit Plans	$8,356	$7,857	$4,097
Treasury Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Benefit Plans	260	250	209

Retirement_Benefits_Schedule_o

Retirement Benefits (Schedule of Costs of Retirement Plans) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Multiemployer Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Company Contributions	$728	$797	$792
Defined Contribution Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Company Costs	$24,921	$20,012	$18,296

Retirement_Benefits_Schedule_o1

Retirement Benefits (Schedule of Assumptions Used) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
United States Pension Plans of US Entity, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Weighted-average assumptions to determine benefit obligation at September 30:	'	'	'
Discount rate	4.40%	5.15%	4.10%
Rate of compensation increase	3.50%	3.50%	3.50%
Weighted-average assumptions to determine periodic benefit costs for years ending September 30:	'	'	'
Discount rate	5.15%	4.10%	5.55%
Rate of compensation increase	3.50%	3.50%	4.00%
Long-term rate of return on plan assets	7.62%	7.59%	7.89%
United Kingdom Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Weighted-average assumptions to determine benefit obligation at September 30:	'	'	'
Discount rate	4.10%	4.50%	4.60%
Rate of compensation increase	3.50%	3.50%	3.90%
Weighted-average assumptions to determine periodic benefit costs for years ending September 30:	'	'	'
Discount rate	4.50%	4.60%	5.10%
Rate of compensation increase	3.50%	3.90%	4.30%
Long-term rate of return on plan assets	5.50%	5.50%	6.00%
Japan Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Weighted-average assumptions to determine benefit obligation at September 30:	'	'	'
Discount rate	1.10%	1.25%	1.50%
Rate of compensation increase	2.00%	2.00%	2.00%
Weighted-average assumptions to determine periodic benefit costs for years ending September 30:	'	'	'
Discount rate	1.25%	1.50%	1.50%
Rate of compensation increase	2.00%	2.00%	2.00%
Long-term rate of return on plan assets	3.00%	2.80%	2.80%
Switzerland Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Weighted-average assumptions to determine benefit obligation at September 30:	'	'	'
Discount rate	'	2.25%	1.75%
Rate of compensation increase	'	2.00%	2.00%
Weighted-average assumptions to determine periodic benefit costs for years ending September 30:	'	'	'
Discount rate	2.25%	1.75%	2.50%
Rate of compensation increase	2.00%	2.00%	2.00%
Long-term rate of return on plan assets	2.25%	1.75%	2.50%
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Weighted-average assumptions to determine benefit obligation at September 30:	'	'	'
Discount rate	4.40%	5.14%	4.11%
Weighted-average assumptions to determine periodic benefit costs for years ending September 30:	'	'	'
Discount rate	5.14%	4.11%	5.54%

Retirement_Benefits_Schedule_o2

Retirement Benefits (Schedule of Net Periodic Benefit Costs) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Service cost	$4,504	$5,660	$4,666
Interest cost	8,792	7,682	8,096
Expected return on plan assets	-12,883	-10,793	-9,592
Amortization of: Net (gains) losses	985	1,839	1,189
Amortization of: Prior service (benefit) cost	93	67	66
Settlement costs	0	37	56
Curtailment (gain) loss	-7,539	0	0
Net periodic benefit cost	-6,048	4,492	4,481
United States Pension Plans of US Entity, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Service cost	3,516	4,608	3,530
Interest cost	6,382	5,569	5,816
Expected return on plan assets	-9,813	-8,183	-7,008
Amortization of: Net (gains) losses	330	1,374	524
Amortization of: Prior service (benefit) cost	97	75	75
Settlement costs	0	0	0
Curtailment (gain) loss	-6,624	0	0
Net periodic benefit cost	-6,112	3,443	2,937
Foreign Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Service cost	988	1,052	1,136
Interest cost	2,410	2,113	2,280
Expected return on plan assets	-3,070	-2,610	-2,584
Amortization of: Net (gains) losses	655	465	665
Amortization of: Prior service (benefit) cost	-4	-8	-9
Settlement costs	0	37	56
Curtailment (gain) loss	-915	0	0
Net periodic benefit cost	64	1,049	1,544
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Service cost	47	71	70
Interest cost	1,432	1,244	1,798
Amortization of: Net (gains) losses	-200	-68	91
Amortization of: Prior service (benefit) cost	-158	-158	-550
Net periodic benefit cost	$1,121	$1,089	$1,409

Retirement_Benefits_Schedule_o3

Retirement Benefits (Schedule of Changes in Projected Benefit Obligations, Fair Value of Plan Assets, and Funded Status of Plan) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Changes in projected benefit obligation:	'	'	'
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	$190,423	$198,476	'
Service cost	4,504	5,660	4,666
Interest cost	8,792	7,682	8,096
Net actuarial (gains) losses	15,461	-12,615	'
Contribution by participants	91	253	'
Benefits paid	-6,050	-5,736	'
Amounts paid by Company for Pension Protection Fund levy	-13	-2	'
Plan amendments	3,355	0	'
Settlements	-1,985	-406	'
Curtailments	-12,258	-271	'
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	-1,045	-2,618	'
Projected benefit obligation at end of year	201,275	190,423	198,476
Changes in fair value of plan assets:	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	190,175	161,503	'
Actual return on plan assets	20,976	17,162	'
Contributions by the company	2,962	19,237	'
Contributions by plan participants	91	253	'
Benefits paid	-6,050	-5,736	'
Settlements	-1,985	-406	'
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	-1,008	-1,838	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	205,161	190,175	161,503
Net over/(under)funded status at end of year	3,886	-248	'
United States Pension Plans of US Entity, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Changes in projected benefit obligation:	'	'	'
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	126,532	137,639	'
Service cost	3,516	4,608	3,530
Interest cost	6,382	5,569	5,816
Net actuarial (gains) losses	12,446	-18,165	'
Contribution by participants	0	12	'
Benefits paid	-3,732	-3,131	'
Amounts paid by Company for Pension Protection Fund levy	0	0	'
Plan amendments	3,355	0	'
Settlements	0	0	'
Curtailments	-10,759	0	'
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	0	0	'
Projected benefit obligation at end of year	137,740	126,532	137,639
Changes in fair value of plan assets:	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	129,518	105,966	'
Actual return on plan assets	15,764	10,621	'
Contributions by the company	540	16,050	'
Contributions by plan participants	0	12	'
Benefits paid	-3,732	-3,131	'
Settlements	0	0	'
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	0	0	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	142,090	129,518	105,966
Net over/(under)funded status at end of year	4,350	2,986	'
Foreign Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Changes in projected benefit obligation:	'	'	'
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	63,891	60,837	'
Service cost	988	1,052	1,136
Interest cost	2,410	2,113	2,280
Net actuarial (gains) losses	3,015	5,550	'
Contribution by participants	91	241	'
Benefits paid	-2,318	-2,605	'
Amounts paid by Company for Pension Protection Fund levy	-13	-2	'
Plan amendments	0	0	'
Settlements	-1,985	-406	'
Curtailments	-1,499	-271	'
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	-1,045	-2,618	'
Projected benefit obligation at end of year	63,535	63,891	60,837
Changes in fair value of plan assets:	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	60,657	55,537	'
Actual return on plan assets	5,212	6,541	'
Contributions by the company	2,422	3,187	'
Contributions by plan participants	91	241	'
Benefits paid	-2,318	-2,605	'
Settlements	-1,985	-406	'
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	-1,008	-1,838	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	63,071	60,657	55,537
Net over/(under)funded status at end of year	-464	-3,234	'
United Kingdom Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Changes in projected benefit obligation:	'	'	'
Projected benefit obligation at end of year	52,710	'	'
Changes in fair value of plan assets:	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	52,260	'	'
Japan Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Changes in projected benefit obligation:	'	'	'
Projected benefit obligation at end of year	10,825	'	'
Changes in fair value of plan assets:	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	10,811	'	'
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Changes in projected benefit obligation:	'	'	'
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	28,996	37,550	'
Service cost	47	71	70
Interest cost	1,432	1,244	1,798
Net actuarial (gains) losses	1,145	-7,501	'
Contribution by participants	1,843	1,837	'
Benefits paid	-4,243	-4,206	'
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	5	1	'
Projected benefit obligation at end of year	29,225	28,996	37,550
Changes in fair value of plan assets:	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	0	0	'
Contributions by the company	2,400	2,369	'
Contributions by plan participants	1,843	1,837	'
Benefits paid	-4,243	-4,206	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	0	0	0
Net over/(under)funded status at end of year	($29,225)	($28,996)	'

Retirement_Benefits_Schedule_o4

Retirement Benefits (Schedule of Accumulated Benefit Obligations In Excess of and Less Than Fair Value of Plan Assets) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Plans with accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets	'	'
Projected benefit obligation, plans with ABO in excess of plan assets	($25,955)	($38,473)
Accumulated benefit obligation, plans with ABO in excess of plan assets	-25,955	-36,739
Fair value of plan assets, plans with ABO in excess of plan assets	24,671	34,717
Plans with accumulated benefit obligation less than plan assets	'	'
Projected benefit obligation, plans with ABO less than plan assets	-175,320	-151,950
Accumulated benefit obligation, plans with ABO less than plan assets	-172,509	-140,023
Fair value of plan assets, plans with ABO less than plan assets	$180,490	$155,458

Retirement_Benefits_Schedule_o5

Retirement Benefits (Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet and Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'
Amounts recognized in statement of financial position consist of:	'	'
Other non-current assets	$5,634	$4,154
Other non-current liabilities	-1,748	-4,402
Net over/(under)funded status at end of year	3,886	-248
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss (income) consist of:	'	'
Unrecognized net prior service (benefit) cost	4,624	1,363
Unrecognized net (gains) losses	21,769	20,212
Total amounts recognized	26,393	21,575
Deferred taxes	-9,658	-7,702
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss (income)	16,735	13,873
United States Pension Plans of US Entity, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'
Amounts recognized in statement of financial position consist of:	'	'
Other non-current assets	5,634	4,154
Other non-current liabilities	-1,284	-1,168
Net over/(under)funded status at end of year	4,350	2,986
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss (income) consist of:	'	'
Unrecognized net prior service (benefit) cost	4,624	1,367
Unrecognized net (gains) losses	9,867	7,841
Total amounts recognized	14,491	9,208
Deferred taxes	-5,527	-3,499
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss (income)	8,964	5,709
Foreign Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'
Amounts recognized in statement of financial position consist of:	'	'
Other non-current assets	0	0
Other non-current liabilities	-464	-3,234
Net over/(under)funded status at end of year	-464	-3,234
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss (income) consist of:	'	'
Unrecognized net prior service (benefit) cost	0	-4
Unrecognized net (gains) losses	11,902	12,371
Total amounts recognized	11,902	12,367
Deferred taxes	-4,131	-4,203
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss (income)	7,771	8,164
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'
Amounts recognized in statement of financial position consist of:	'	'
Accrued liabilities	-2,262	-2,231
Other non-current liabilities	-26,963	-26,765
Net over/(under)funded status at end of year	-29,225	-28,996
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss (income) consist of:	'	'
Unrecognized net prior service (benefit) cost	-635	-794
Unrecognized net (gains) losses	-3,031	-4,379
Total amounts recognized	-3,666	-5,173
Deferred taxes	1,388	1,970
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss (income)	($2,278)	($3,203)

Retirement_Benefits_Schedule_o6

Retirement Benefits (Schedule of Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations Recorded in Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Net (gain) loss arising during the period	($3,746)	($26,756)	$17,960
Prior service (benefit) cost	3,355	0	0
Loss (gain) due to settlement or curtailment	-7,539	36	56
Amortization of: Net gains (losses)	-785	-1,770	-1,280
Amortization of: Prior service benefit (cost)	66	90	484
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	-104	-673	171
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Net (gain) loss arising during the period	-4,891	-19,255	'
Prior service (benefit) cost	3,355	0	'
Loss (gain) due to settlement or curtailment	-7,539	36	'
Amortization of: Net gains (losses)	-985	-1,838	'
Amortization of: Prior service benefit (cost)	-93	-68	'
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	-107	-673	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, before Tax, Total	4,818	-21,870	'
United States Pension Plans of US Entity, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Net (gain) loss arising during the period	-4,269	-20,604	'
Prior service (benefit) cost	3,355	0	'
Loss (gain) due to settlement or curtailment	-6,624	0	'
Amortization of: Net gains (losses)	-330	-1,374	'
Amortization of: Prior service benefit (cost)	-97	-75	'
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	0	0	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, before Tax, Total	5,283	-22,053	'
Foreign Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Net (gain) loss arising during the period	-622	1,349	'
Prior service (benefit) cost	0	0	'
Loss (gain) due to settlement or curtailment	-915	36	'
Amortization of: Net gains (losses)	-655	-464	'
Amortization of: Prior service benefit (cost)	4	7	'
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	-107	-673	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, before Tax, Total	-465	183	'
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Net (gain) loss arising during the period	1,145	-7,501	'
Amortization of: Net gains (losses)	200	68	'
Amortization of: Prior service benefit (cost)	159	158	'
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	3	0	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, before Tax, Total	$1,507	($7,275)	'

Retirement_Benefits_Schedule_o7

Retirement Benefits (Schedule of Amounts Expected to be Amortized from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Reported as a Component of Net Periodic Benefit Cost During the Next Fiscal Year) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'
Prior service (benefit) cost	$383
Net actuarial (gains) losses	862
United States Pension Plans of US Entity, Defined Benefit [Member]	'
Prior service (benefit) cost	383
Net actuarial (gains) losses	396
Foreign Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'
Prior service (benefit) cost	0
Net actuarial (gains) losses	$466

Retirement_Benefits_Schedule_o8

Retirement Benefits (Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'
2015	$7,113
2016	7,654
2017	8,451
2018	9,094
2019	10,190
2020 - 2024	58,438
United States Pension Plans of US Entity, Defined Benefit [Member]	'
2015	4,760
2016	5,291
2017	5,897
2018	6,520
2019	7,154
2020 - 2024	43,682
Foreign Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'
2015	2,353
2016	2,363
2017	2,554
2018	2,574
2019	3,036
2020 - 2024	$14,756

Retirement_Benefits_Schedule_o9

Retirement Benefits (Schedule of Allocation of Plan Assets, Actual and Target Allocations) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Other Investment Asset [Member] | United States Pension Plans of US Entity, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'
Target Allocation, Minimum	0.00%	0.00%
Target Allocation, Maximum	0.00%	0.00%
Actual Allocation of Plan Assets	0.20%	0.20%
Other Investment Asset [Member] | United Kingdom Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'
Target Allocation, Minimum	0.00%	0.00%
Target Allocation, Maximum	0.00%	0.00%
Actual Allocation of Plan Assets	0.10%	0.10%
Other Investment Asset [Member] | Japan Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'
Target Allocation, Minimum	0.00%	0.00%
Target Allocation, Maximum	2.00%	2.00%
Actual Allocation of Plan Assets	0.90%	0.90%
Other Investment Asset [Member] | Switzerland Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'
Target Allocation, Minimum	'	100.00%
Target Allocation, Maximum	'	100.00%
Actual Allocation of Plan Assets	'	100.00%
Equity Securities [Member] | United States Pension Plans of US Entity, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'
Target Allocation, Minimum	40.70%	40.70%
Target Allocation, Maximum	80.70%	80.70%
Actual Allocation of Plan Assets	60.00%	61.70%
Equity Securities [Member] | United Kingdom Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'
Target Allocation, Minimum	40.00%	40.00%
Target Allocation, Maximum	70.00%	70.00%
Actual Allocation of Plan Assets	48.20%	48.40%
Equity Securities [Member] | Japan Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'
Target Allocation, Minimum	36.00%	36.00%
Target Allocation, Maximum	44.00%	44.00%
Actual Allocation of Plan Assets	40.70%	41.30%
Equity Securities [Member] | Switzerland Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'
Target Allocation, Minimum	'	0.00%
Target Allocation, Maximum	'	0.00%
Actual Allocation of Plan Assets	'	0.00%
Debt Securities [Member] | United States Pension Plans of US Entity, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'
Target Allocation, Minimum	29.30%	29.30%
Target Allocation, Maximum	49.30%	49.30%
Actual Allocation of Plan Assets	39.80%	38.10%
Debt Securities [Member] | United Kingdom Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'
Target Allocation, Minimum	35.00%	35.00%
Target Allocation, Maximum	65.00%	65.00%
Actual Allocation of Plan Assets	51.70%	51.50%
Debt Securities [Member] | Japan Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'
Target Allocation, Minimum	55.00%	55.00%
Target Allocation, Maximum	63.00%	63.00%
Actual Allocation of Plan Assets	58.40%	57.80%
Debt Securities [Member] | Switzerland Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'
Target Allocation, Minimum	'	0.00%
Target Allocation, Maximum	'	0.00%
Actual Allocation of Plan Assets	'	0.00%

Recovered_Sheet1

Retirement Benefits (Schedule of Allocation of Plan Assets, Fair Value Hierarchy) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	$205,161	$190,175	$161,503
United States Pension Plans of US Entity, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	142,090	129,518	105,966
Foreign Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	63,071	60,657	55,537
United Kingdom Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	52,260	'	'
Japan Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	10,811	'	'
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	0	0
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	484	422	'
Pooled funds: Index linked U.K. government securities fund [Member] | Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	4,566	4,176	'
Pooled funds: Index linked U.K. long-term government securities fund [Member] | Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	5,569	4,908	'
Mutual funds: U.S. corporate bond fund [Member] | Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	56,559	49,328	'
Pooled funds: Index linked U.K. corporate bonds fund [Member] | Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	16,897	15,810	'
Pooled funds: Japanese fixed income securities [Member] | Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	4,676	4,414	'
Pooled funds: International fixed income securities [Member] | Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	1,638	1,535	'
Mutual funds: U.S. equity large cap fund [Member] | Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	49,220	44,140	'
Mutual funds: International equity large cap growth fund [Member] | Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	35,995	35,777	'
Pooled funds: Japanese equity securities [Member] | Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	2,330	2,269	'
Pooled funds: International equity securities [Member] | Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	2,067	1,989	'
Pooled funds: Index linked U.K. equity fund [Member] | Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	6,240	6,060	'
Pooled funds: Index linked international equity fund [Member] | Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	6,593	6,047	'
Insurance Backed Assets [Member] | Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	'	1,976	'
Equity Funds [Member] | Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	12,327	11,324	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | United States Pension Plans of US Entity, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	142,090	129,518	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Foreign Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	168	149	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | United States Pension Plans of US Entity, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	316	273	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | Foreign Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	168	149	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Mutual funds: U.S. corporate bond fund [Member] | United States Pension Plans of US Entity, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	56,559	49,328	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Mutual funds: U.S. equity large cap fund [Member] | United States Pension Plans of US Entity, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	49,220	44,140	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Mutual funds: International equity large cap growth fund [Member] | United States Pension Plans of US Entity, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	35,995	35,777	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Foreign Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	62,903	58,532	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Pooled funds: Index linked U.K. government securities fund [Member] | Foreign Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	4,566	4,176	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Pooled funds: Index linked U.K. long-term government securities fund [Member] | Foreign Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	5,569	4,908	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Pooled funds: Index linked U.K. corporate bonds fund [Member] | Foreign Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	16,897	15,810	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Pooled funds: Japanese fixed income securities [Member] | Foreign Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	4,676	4,414	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Pooled funds: International fixed income securities [Member] | Foreign Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	1,638	1,535	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Pooled funds: Japanese equity securities [Member] | Foreign Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	2,330	2,269	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Pooled funds: International equity securities [Member] | Foreign Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	2,067	1,989	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Pooled funds: Index linked U.K. equity fund [Member] | Foreign Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	6,240	6,060	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Pooled funds: Index linked international equity fund [Member] | Foreign Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	6,593	6,047	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Equity Funds [Member] | Foreign Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	12,327	11,324	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Foreign Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	'	1,976	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Insurance Backed Assets [Member] | Foreign Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	'	$1,976	'

Recovered_Sheet2

Retirement Benefits (Schedule of Health Care Cost Trend Rates) (Details) (Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member])	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'
Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year	7.00%	7.00%
Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (the ultimate trend rate)	5.00%	5.00%
Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate	'2023	'2022

Recovered_Sheet3

Retirement Benefits (Schedule of Health Care Costs Sensitivity) (Details) (Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'
Effect on projected fiscal year 2015 service and interest cost, 1% increase	$121
Effect on projected fiscal year 2015 service and interest cost, 1% decrease	-106
Effect on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation, 1% increase	2,658
Effect on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation, 1% decrease	($2,336)

Recovered_Sheet4

Retirement Benefits (Schedule of Future Postretirement Company Contributions) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
United States Pension Plans of US Entity, Defined Benefit [Member]	'
2015	$21
United Kingdom Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]	'
2015	1,507
Japan Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]	'
2015	1,045
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'
2015	3,778
2016	3,802
2017	3,760
2018	3,715
2019	3,686
2020 - 2024	$17,264

Stockholders_Equity_Equity_Nar

Stockholders' Equity (Equity Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Purchases of treasury stock	$144,510	$51,846	$44,110
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock-based compensation arrangements	11,516	'	'
Unrecognized compensation cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period	'1 year 8 months 12 days	'	'
Forfeiture rate, Board of Directors	0.00%	'	'
Forfeiture rate, non-Board of Directors	9.00%	'	'
2010 Authorization [Member]	'	'	'
Authorized repurchase amount	'	200,000	'
Repurchase period in years	'	'3 years	'
Purchases of treasury stock	'	45,754	44,110
Purchases of treasury stock, number of shares	'	1,233	1,132
2013 Authorization [Member]	'	'	'
Authorized repurchase amount	'	200,000	'
Repurchase period in years	'	'3 years	'
Purchases of treasury stock	$141,488	'	'
Purchases of treasury stock, number of shares	3,272	'	'
Restricted Stock Award [Member]	'	'	'
Shares granted, Number of Shares	24	'	'
Vesting period, in years	'4 years	'	'
Service period for restricted stock award	'4 years	'	'
Terms of restricted stock award	'Subject to Mr. Gendron's continued employment by the Company, these shares of restricted stock will vest 100% following the end of the Company's fiscal year 2017 if a specified cumulative earnings per share ("EPS") target is met or exceeded for fiscal years 2014 through 2017. If this EPS target is not met, all shares of restricted stock will be forfeited by Mr. Gendron.The shares of restricted stock were awarded to Mr. Gendron pursuant to a form restricted stock agreement approved by Woodward's Compensation Committee (the "Committee"), which generally provides that: if the recipient of a restricted stock award is terminated from the Company for any reason other than death or disability during the restricted period, all shares of restricted stock will be immediately forfeited; if the recipient dies or becomes permanently disabled prior to the recipient's termination and during the restricted period, all restrictions will lapse and the shares of restricted stock will fully vest immediately; similarly, in the event of a Change in Control (as defined in the form of restricted stock agreement) of the Company during the restricted period and prior to the recipient's termination for any reason, all restrictions will lapse and the shares of restricted stock will fully vest immediately; during the restricted period, a recipient may exercise full voting rights with respect to the shares of restricted stock; dividends on the shares of restricted stock will accrue, but will not be paid, during the restricted period; and all dividends accrued during the restricted period will be paid upon any vesting of the shares of restricted stock, without payment of interest, provided that if the shares of restricted stock are forfeited for any reason, all accrued dividends will likewise be forfeited. The form of restricted stock agreement also includes adjustment provisions in the event the Company engages in certain recapitalization or similar transactions or in the event of a change of law or regulation. Upon vesting, shares become freely transferrable	'	'

Stockholders_Equity_StockBased

Stockholders' Equity (Stock-Based Compensation Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Number of shares available for future grants	2,455	'
Exercise prices of stock options outstanding	$28.08	$25.06
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock-based compensation arrangements	$11,516	'
Unrecognized compensation cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period	'1 year 8 months 12 days	'
Omnibus Incentive Plan [Member]	'	'
Number of stock shares authorized for grants	7,410	'
Stock Options [Member]	'	'
Vesting period, in years	'4 years	'
Vested contractual term, in years	'10 years	'
Vesting rate	25.00%	'
Restricted Stock Award [Member]	'	'
Restricted Stock Awards Vested	0	'
Minimum [Member]	'	'
Exercise prices of stock options outstanding	$11.86	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'
Exercise prices of stock options outstanding	$44.54	'

Stockholders_Equity_Dividends_

Stockholders' Equity (Dividends Declared and Paid) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Equity	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Dividends declared and paid	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$21,263	$21,866	$21,351
Cash dividends per share	$0.08	$0.08	$0.08	$0.08	$0.08	$0.08	$0.08	$0.08	$0.32	$0.32	$0.31

Recovered_Sheet5

Stockholders' Equity (Stock-based Compensation Expense Recognized) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Stock-Based Compensation	'	'	'
Employee stock-based compensation expense	$11,241	$9,414	$8,628

Stockholders_Equity_Schedule_o

Stockholders' Equity (Schedule of Assumptions Used in Estimate of Fair Value of Stock Option Awards) (Details) (Stock Options [Member])	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Expected term	'5 years 9 months 18 days	'5 years 9 months 18 days	'5 years 10 months 24 days
Estimated volatility	38.50%	48.70%	48.90%
Estimated dividend yield	0.80%	0.80%	0.70%
Risk-free interest rate	1.70%	0.80%	0.80%
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Expected term	'8 years 7 months 6 days	'8 years 7 months 6 days	'8 years 6 months
Estimated volatility	38.50%	54.90%	55.60%
Estimated dividend yield	0.80%	1.00%	1.10%
Risk-free interest rate	2.50%	1.30%	1.60%

Stockholders_Equity_Weighted_A

Stockholders' Equity (Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value of Options Granted) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Options granted, Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share	$40.99	'	'
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'
Options granted, Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share	$15.63	$15.84	$12.14

Stockholders_Equity_Activity_f

Stockholders' Equity (Activity for Stock Option Awards) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Stock-Based Compensation	'
Number of options, beginning balance	4,423
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share, beginning balance	$25.06
Options granted, Number of options	694
Options granted, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$40.99
Options exercised, Number of options	-562
Options exercised, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$19.67
Options forfeited, Number of options	-54
Options forfeited, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$34.06
Number of options, ending balance	4,501
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share, ending balance	$28.08

Stockholders_Equity_Changes_in

Stockholders' Equity (Changes in Nonvested Stock Options) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Number of Options, beginning balance	1,737	'	'
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share, beginning balance	$29.97	'	'
Options granted, Number of options	694	'	'
Options granted, Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share	$40.99	'	'
Options vested, Number of options	-698	'	'
Options vested, Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share	$28.97	'	'
Options forfeited, Number of options	-54	'	'
Options forfeited, Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share	$33.40	'	'
Number of Options, ending balance	1,679	'	'
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share, ending balance	$34.83	'	'
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'
Options granted, Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share	$15.63	$15.84	$12.14

Stockholders_Equity_Stock_Opti

Stockholders' Equity (Stock Options Vested, Or Expected to Vest and Are Exercisable) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Stock-Based Compensation	'	'
Options outstanding, Number of options	4,501	4,423
Options outstanding, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$28.08	$25.06
Options outstanding, Weighted-Average Remaining Life in Years	'5 years 7 months 6 days	'
Options outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$87,923	'
Options vested and exercisable, Number of options	2,822	'
Options vested and exercisable, Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share	$24.07	'
Options vested and exercisable, Weighted-Average Remaining Life in Years	'4 years 1 month 6 days	'
Options vested and exercisable, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	66,458	'
Options vested and expected to vest, Number of options	4,419	'
Options vested and expected to vest, Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share	$27.92	'
Options vested and to expected vest, Weighted-Average Remaining Life in Years	'5 years 6 months	'
Options vested and expected to vest, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$87,066	'

Stockholders_Equity_Other_Stoc

Stockholders' Equity (Other Stock Option Information) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Stock-Based Compensation	'	'	'
Total fair value of stock options vested	$9,459	$7,271	$5,907
Total intrinsic value of options exercised	14,549	19,692	12,521
Cash received from exercises of stock options	9,772	8,272	6,180
Excess tax benefit realized from exercise of stock options	$3,751	$5,154	$3,990

Stockholders_Equity_Changes_in1

Stockholders' Equity (Changes in Restricted Stock Awards) (Details) (Restricted Stock Award [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Restricted Stock Award [Member]	'
Number of shares, beginning balance	0
Shares granted, Number of Shares	24
Shares granted, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share	$39.43
Shares vested, Number of Shares	0
Shares forfeited, Number of Shares	0
Number of shares, ending balance	24
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share, ending balance	$39.43

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) (Construction Related Contractual Obligation [Member], USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Construction Related Contractual Obligation [Member]	'
Other Commitment	$100

Commitments_and_Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies (Future Minimum Rental Payments) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure	'
2015	$6,393
2016	4,327
2017	3,264
2018	2,548
2019	1,377
Thereafter	1,430
Total	$19,339

Commitments_and_Contingencies_3

Commitments and Contingencies (Rent Expense for All Operating Leases) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure	'	'	'
Rent expense	$10,897	$10,243	$10,247

Commitments_and_Contingencies_4

Commitments and Contingencies (Future Minimum Unconditional Purchase Obligations) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure	'
2015	$331,300
2016	11,445
2017	0
2018	0
2019	0
Thereafter	0
Total	$342,745

Segment_Information_Narrative_

Segment Information (Narrative) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
General Electric [Member] | Sales [Member]	'	'	'
Percentage of total attributable to major customer	15.00%	15.00%	14.00%
General Electric [Member] | Trade Accounts Receivable [Member]	'	'	'
Percentage of total attributable to major customer	12.00%	11.00%	'
U.S. Government Related [Member] | Sales [Member]	'	'	'
Percentage of total attributable to major customer	17.00%	21.00%	18.00%
U.S. Government Related [Member] | Trade Accounts Receivable [Member]	'	'	'
Percentage of total attributable to major customer	2.00%	4.00%	'

Segment_Information_Consolidat

Segment Information (Consolidated Net Sales and Earnings by Segment) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Net sales	$565,447	$524,284	$482,467	$429,042	$558,365	$483,759	$485,513	$408,339	$2,001,240	$1,935,976	$1,865,627
Segment earnings (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	293,478	265,062	256,633
Interest expense, net	-4,503	-5,899	-6,128	-6,003	-6,439	-6,655	-6,948	-6,388	-22,533	-26,430	-25,461
Consolidated earnings before income taxes	75,076	62,468	56,756	32,944	75,201	35,497	50,336	38,537	227,244	199,571	197,807
Total of Reporting Segments [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	565,447	524,284	482,467	429,042	558,365	483,759	485,513	408,339	'	'	'
Segment earnings (loss)	92,121	79,560	72,177	49,620	92,749	51,379	65,458	55,476	'	'	'
Aerospace [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	318,209	274,923	261,021	229,872	307,377	272,218	270,493	211,389	1,084,025	1,061,477	896,083
Segment earnings (loss)	57,005	39,357	40,289	22,549	54,382	38,949	41,223	31,568	159,200	166,122	130,192
Energy [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	247,238	249,361	221,446	199,170	250,988	211,541	215,020	196,950	917,215	874,499	969,544
Segment earnings (loss)	35,116	40,203	31,888	27,071	38,367	12,430	24,235	23,908	134,278	98,940	126,441
Unallocated Corporate [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment earnings (loss)	($12,542)	($11,193)	($9,293)	($10,673)	($11,109)	($9,227)	($8,174)	($10,551)	($43,701)	($39,061)	($33,365)

Segment_Information_Consolidat1

Segment Information (Consolidated Total Assets, Depreciation and Amortization, and Capital Expenditures by Segment) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Assets	$2,397,202	$2,218,518	$1,859,964
Property, plant and equipment, net	513,279	350,048	'
Other unallocated assets	273,510	207,535	178,605
Depreciation and amortization	77,353	74,233	68,617
Capital expenditures	207,106	141,600	64,900
Aerospace [Member]	'	'	'
Assets	1,440,355	1,361,861	1,059,754
Depreciation and amortization	46,895	49,887	43,840
Capital expenditures	134,307	74,964	32,244
Energy [Member]	'	'	'
Assets	610,345	599,007	605,842
Depreciation and amortization	22,672	20,890	21,738
Capital expenditures	55,780	28,137	22,590
Unallocated Corporate [Member]	'	'	'
Assets	72,992	50,115	15,763
Depreciation and amortization	7,786	3,456	3,039
Capital expenditures	17,019	38,499	10,066
Total of Reporting Segments [Member]	'	'	'
Assets	2,050,700	1,960,868	1,665,596
Depreciation and amortization	69,567	70,777	65,578
Capital expenditures	$190,087	$103,101	$54,834

Segment_Information_US_Governm

Segment Information (U.S. Government Related Sales by Segment) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Net sales	$565,447	$524,284	$482,467	$429,042	$558,365	$483,759	$485,513	$408,339	$2,001,240	$1,935,976	$1,865,627
Aerospace [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	318,209	274,923	261,021	229,872	307,377	272,218	270,493	211,389	1,084,025	1,061,477	896,083
Energy [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	247,238	249,361	221,446	199,170	250,988	211,541	215,020	196,950	917,215	874,499	969,544
Total of Reporting Segments [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	565,447	524,284	482,467	429,042	558,365	483,759	485,513	408,339	'	'	'
U.S. Government Related [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	339,893	405,362	343,843
U.S. Government Related [Member] | Aerospace [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	331,788	393,607	332,711
U.S. Government Related [Member] | Energy [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	8,105	11,755	11,132
Indirect Sales to U.S. Government [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	260,394	297,303	261,864
Indirect Sales to U.S. Government [Member] | Aerospace [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	254,806	289,197	254,636
Indirect Sales to U.S. Government [Member] | Energy [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	5,588	8,106	7,228
Direct Sales to U.S. Government [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	79,499	108,059	81,979
Direct Sales to U.S. Government [Member] | Aerospace [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	76,982	104,410	78,075
Direct Sales to U.S. Government [Member] | Energy [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$2,517	$3,649	$3,904
Sales [Member] | U.S. Government Related [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Percentage of total attributable to major customer	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	17.00%	21.00%	18.00%
Sales [Member] | Indirect Sales to U.S. Government [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Percentage of total attributable to major customer	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	13.00%	15.00%	14.00%
Sales [Member] | Direct Sales to U.S. Government [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Percentage of total attributable to major customer	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	4.00%	6.00%	4.00%
Sales [Member] | General Electric [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Percentage of total attributable to major customer	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	15.00%	15.00%	14.00%
Trade Accounts Receivable [Member] | U.S. Government Related [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Percentage of total attributable to major customer	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2.00%	4.00%	'
Trade Accounts Receivable [Member] | General Electric [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Percentage of total attributable to major customer	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	12.00%	11.00%	'

Segment_Information_External_N

Segment Information (External Net Sales by Geographical Area) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Consolidated net sales	$565,447	$524,284	$482,467	$429,042	$558,365	$483,759	$485,513	$408,339	$2,001,240	$1,935,976	$1,865,627
United States [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,025,149	1,058,912	927,345
All Other Countries [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	156,615	108,400	106,791
Europe [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	519,721	480,922	542,753
Germany [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Percent of external net sales, foreign countries	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	9.00%	9.00%	13.00%
Asia [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$299,755	$287,742	$288,738

Segment_Information_Property_P

Segment Information (Property, Plant, and Equipment - Net by Geographical Area) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, plant and equipment, net	$513,279	$350,048
United States [Member]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	457,563	285,038
Germany [Member]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	26,898	29,619
Other Countries [Member]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	$28,818	$35,391

Supplemental_Quarterly_Financi2

Supplemental Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Quarterly Financial Information) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Quarterly Financial Data	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	$565,447	$524,284	$482,467	$429,042	$558,365	$483,759	$485,513	$408,339	$2,001,240	$1,935,976	$1,865,627
Gross margin	167,673	151,713	142,439	113,576	169,249	134,277	137,413	118,766	'	'	'
Earnings before income taxes	75,076	62,468	56,756	32,944	75,201	35,497	50,336	38,537	227,244	199,571	197,807
Net Earnings:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net earnings	$51,662	$46,001	$44,798	$23,383	$52,465	$23,663	$42,446	$27,368	$165,844	$145,942	$141,589
Earnings per share:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Basic earnings per share	$0.79	$0.70	$0.67	$0.35	$0.77	$0.35	$0.62	$0.40	$2.50	$2.13	$2.06
Diluted earnings per share	$0.77	$0.69	$0.66	$0.34	$0.76	$0.34	$0.61	$0.39	$2.45	$2.10	$2.01
Cash dividends per share	$0.08	$0.08	$0.08	$0.08	$0.08	$0.08	$0.08	$0.08	$0.32	$0.32	$0.31

Supplemental_Quarterly_Financi3

Supplemental Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Quarterly Financial Information - Segment Reporting) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Net sales	$565,447	$524,284	$482,467	$429,042	$558,365	$483,759	$485,513	$408,339	$2,001,240	$1,935,976	$1,865,627
Segment earnings (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	293,478	265,062	256,633
Interest expense, net	-4,503	-5,899	-6,128	-6,003	-6,439	-6,655	-6,948	-6,388	-22,533	-26,430	-25,461
Consolidated earnings before income taxes	75,076	62,468	56,756	32,944	75,201	35,497	50,336	38,537	227,244	199,571	197,807
Total of Reporting Segments [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	565,447	524,284	482,467	429,042	558,365	483,759	485,513	408,339	'	'	'
Segment earnings (loss)	92,121	79,560	72,177	49,620	92,749	51,379	65,458	55,476	'	'	'
Aerospace [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	318,209	274,923	261,021	229,872	307,377	272,218	270,493	211,389	1,084,025	1,061,477	896,083
Segment earnings (loss)	57,005	39,357	40,289	22,549	54,382	38,949	41,223	31,568	159,200	166,122	130,192
Energy [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	247,238	249,361	221,446	199,170	250,988	211,541	215,020	196,950	917,215	874,499	969,544
Segment earnings (loss)	35,116	40,203	31,888	27,071	38,367	12,430	24,235	23,908	134,278	98,940	126,441
Unallocated Corporate [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment earnings (loss)	($12,542)	($11,193)	($9,293)	($10,673)	($11,109)	($9,227)	($8,174)	($10,551)	($43,701)	($39,061)	($33,365)

Schedule_II_Details

Schedule II (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Currency translation adjustments	($704)	$155	$4
Allowance for Trade Receivables [Member]	'	'	'
Balance at Beginning of Year	8,872	7,217	2,322
Additions: Charged to Costs and Expenses	1,283	3,408	4,139
Additions: Charged to Other Accounts	916	5	1,074
Deductions	-3,993	-1,758	-318
Balance at End of Year	7,078	8,872	7,217
Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets [Member]	'	'	'
Balance at Beginning of Year	11,783	2,752	3,201
Additions: Charged to Costs and Expenses	271	9,031	7
Additions: Charged to Other Accounts	0	0	0
Deductions	-2,568	0	-456
Balance at End of Year	$9,486	$11,783	$2,752