Key Technology (KTEC) 10-K 13 Dec 13 2013 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 06, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'KEY TECHNOLOGY INC	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000906193	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--09-30	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'	'
Document Type	'10-K	'	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	6,281,682	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'No	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'
Entity Public Float	'	'	$69,118

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
CURRENT ASSETS:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$17,601	$23,755
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $296 and $190,	17,725	11,426
Inventories	27,921	23,166
Deferred income taxes	5,034	2,854
Income tax receivable	86	327
Prepaid expenses and other assets	4,206	2,665
Total current assets	72,573	64,193
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, Net	17,259	18,370
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES	760	0
INTANGIBLES, Net	10,982	36
INVESTMENT IN PRODITEC	1,148	1,153
GOODWILL	11,821	2,524
OTHER ASSETS	81	79
TOTAL	114,624	86,355
CURRENT LIABILITIES:	'	'
Accounts payable	6,669	4,550
Accrued payroll liabilities and commissions	9,440	5,194
Customers' deposits	6,048	5,213
Accrued customer support and warranty costs	3,301	2,263
Income tax payable	430	2
Current portion of long-term debt	871	364
Customer purchase plans	1,731	956
Other accrued liabilities	1,745	1,515
Total current liabilities	30,235	20,057
LONG-TERM DEBT	5,612	4,833
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES	5,226	1,434
OTHER LONG TERM LIABILITIES	426	601
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	'	'
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:	'	'
Preferred stock-no par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding	0	0
Common stock-no par value; 45,000,000 shares authorized; 6,168,654 and 5,312,145 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively	30,086	21,806
Warrants, no par value; 250,000 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2013	665	0
Retained earnings	41,677	37,682
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	697	-58
Total shareholders' equity	73,125	59,430
TOTAL	$114,624	$86,355

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
CURRENT ASSETS:	'	'
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current	$296	$190
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract]	'	'
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	5,000,000	5,000,000
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	45,000,000	45,000,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued	0	0
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	0	0
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	6,168,654	5,312,145
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	5,312,145	5,337,250
Warrants, Issued	250,000	250,000
Warrants, Outstanding	250,000	250,000

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_OPE

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'
NET SALES	$136,783	$115,174	$116,328
COST OF SALES	90,739	79,339	78,531
Gross profit	46,044	35,835	37,797
Operating expenses:	'	'	'
Sales and marketing	18,976	17,439	19,474
Research and development	9,647	8,343	6,939
General and administrative	10,594	9,070	8,882
Amortization of intangibles	996	15	15
Total operating expenses	40,213	34,867	35,310
GAIN (LOSS) ON DISPOSITION OF ASSETS	42	-15	4
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS	5,873	953	2,491
Royalty income	52	51	0
Interest income	27	22	20
Interest expense	-277	-264	-261
Reclassification from Other comprehensive income	0	-209	0
Foreign exchange gain (loss)	-146	183	-82
Other, net	-116	-142	-219
Total other income (expense)-net	-460	-359	-542
Earnings before income taxes	5,413	594	1,949
Income tax expense	1,402	145	495
Net earnings	$4,011	$449	$1,454
Net earnings (loss) per share	'	'	'
EARNINGS PER SHARE - Basic (usd per share)	$0.69	$0.08	$0.27
EARNINGS PER SHARE - Diluted (usd per share)	$0.69	$0.08	$0.27
SHARES USED IN PER SHARE CALCULATION - Basic	5,836	5,390	5,311
SHARES USED IN PER SHARE CALCULATION - Diluted	5,855	5,399	5,329

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENT_OF_COMP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME Statement (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Statement of Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'
Net earnings (loss)	$4,011	$449	$1,454
Foreign currency translation adjustment	890	-202	-108
Unrealized changes in fair value of derivatives	254	-102	-120
Reclassification adjustment for foreign currency translation included in net earnings	0	209	0
Income tax (expense) benefit related to items of comprehensive income (loss)	-389	32	78
Total comprehensive income	$4,766	$386	$1,304

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_SHA

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $)	Total	Common stock	Warrant	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Balance at Sep. 30, 2010	$56,338	$20,006	'	$36,177	$155
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2010	'	5,297,312	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'
Net earnings	1,454	0	'	1,454	0
Comprehensive income - foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax	-71	0	'	0	-71
Unrealized changes in value of derivatives, net of tax benefit	-79	0	'	0	-79
Tax benefits from share-based payments	14	14	'	0	0
Share based payments	1,387	1,387	'	0	0
Issuance of stock upon exercise of stock options (in shares)	'	5,000	'	'	'
Issuance of stock upon exercise of stock options	40	40	'	0	0
Issuance of stock for Employee Stock Purchase Plan (in shares)	'	8,269	'	'	'
Issuance of stock for Employee Stock Purchase Plan	107	107	'	0	0
Stock Grants Performance Based Shares	'	60,212	'	'	'
Stock grants - performance-based	0	0	'	0	0
Stock Grants Employment Based In Shares	'	53,470	'	'	'
Stock grants - employment-based	0	0	'	0	0
Restricted stock surrendered in payment of taxes (in shares)	'	-26,919	'	'	'
Restricted stock surrendered in payment of taxes	-416	-416	'	0	0
Stock forfeitures and retirements (in shares)	'	-60,094	'	'	'
Stock forfeitures and retirements	0	0	'	0	0
Balance at Sep. 30, 2011	58,774	21,138	'	37,631	5
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2011	'	5,337,250	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'
Net earnings	449	0	'	449	0
Comprehensive income - foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax	-133	0	'	0	-133
Reclassification adjustment for foreign currency translation included in net earnings	138	0	'	0	138
Unrealized changes in value of derivatives, net of tax benefit	-68	0	'	0	-68
Tax benefits from share-based payments	-103	-103	'	0	0
Share based payments	1,194	1,194	'	0	0
Issuance of stock upon exercise of stock options (in shares)	'	9,056	'	'	'
Issuance of stock upon exercise of stock options	13	13	'	0	0
Issuance of stock for Employee Stock Purchase Plan (in shares)	'	8,417	'	'	'
Issuance of stock for Employee Stock Purchase Plan	81	81	'	0	0
Stock buyback (in shares)	'	-70,853	'	'	'
Stock buyback	-710	-312	'	-398	'
Stock Grants Performance Based Shares	'	92,910	'	'	'
Stock grants - performance-based	0	0	'	0	0
Stock Grants Employment Based In Shares	'	95,805	'	'	'
Stock grants - employment-based	0	0	'	0	0
Restricted stock surrendered in payment of taxes (in shares)	'	-19,127	'	'	'
Restricted stock surrendered in payment of taxes	-205	-205	'	0	0
Stock forfeitures and retirements (in shares)	'	-141,313	'	'	'
Stock forfeitures and retirements	0	0	'	0	0
Balance at Sep. 30, 2012	59,430	21,806	'	37,682	-58
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2012	5,337,250	5,312,145	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'
Net earnings	4,011	0	'	4,011	'
Comprehensive income - foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax	587	0	'	0	587
Unrealized changes in value of derivatives, net of tax benefit	168	0	'	0	168
Tax benefits from share-based payments	-60	-60	'	0	0
Share based payments	1,298	1,298	'	0	0
Issuance of stock upon exercise of stock options (in shares)	'	10,000	'	'	'
Issuance of stock upon exercise of stock options	28	28	'	0	0
Issuance of stock for Employee Stock Purchase Plan (in shares)	'	6,257	'	'	'
Issuance of stock for Employee Stock Purchase Plan	67	67	'	0	0
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Acquisitions	'	600,000	'	'	'
Issuance of stock for acquisition, net of issuance costs of $126	7,201	7,201	'	0	0
Issuance of warrants (250,000) for acquisition, net of issuance costs of $62	665	'	665	'	'
Stock buyback (in shares)	'	-3,288	'	'	'
Stock buyback	-30	-14	'	-16	0
Stock Grants Performance Based Shares	'	178,163	'	'	'
Stock grants - performance-based	0	0	'	0	0
Stock Grants Employment Based In Shares	'	103,026	'	'	'
Stock grants - employment-based	0	0	'	0	0
Restricted stock surrendered in payment of taxes (in shares)	'	-24,187	'	'	'
Restricted stock surrendered in payment of taxes	-240	-240	'	0	0
Stock forfeitures and retirements (in shares)	'	-13,462	'	'	'
Stock forfeitures and retirements	0	0	'	0	0
Balance at Sep. 30, 2013	$73,125	$30,086	$665	$41,677	$697
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2013	5,312,145	6,168,654	'	'	'

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_SHA1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parentheticals) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
				Common stock	Warrant
Comprehensive income - foreign currency translation adjustment, tax benefit (expense)	($303)	$69	$37	'	'
Unrealized changes in value of derivatives, tax benefit (expense)	-86	34	41	'	'
Reclassification adjustment, foreign currency transaction, tax effect	'	71	'	'	'
Payments of stock issuance costs	$188	$0	$0	$126	$62

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:	'	'	'
Net earnings	$4,011	$449	$1,454
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'	'
Reclassification from Other comprehensive income	0	209	0
(Gain) loss on disposition of assets	-42	15	-4
Foreign currency exchange (gain) loss	146	-183	82
Depreciation and amortization	4,868	3,654	2,944
Share based payments	1,276	1,182	1,407
Excess tax benefit from share based payments	-40	-55	-76
Deferred income taxes	-3,421	-73	1,674
Deferred rent	-5	-33	-66
Bad debt expense	2	24	-126
Changes in assets and liabilities:	'	'	'
Trade accounts receivable	-5,511	-2,671	4,351
Inventories	3,665	887	-3,463
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	-628	1,124	-233
Income taxes receivable	241	880	-1,016
Patents	-135	0	0
Accounts payable	-123	-706	-1,155
Accrued payroll liabilities and commissions	3,698	-221	-1,078
Accrued customer support and warranty costs	863	-459	367
Income taxes payable	367	70	-620
Other accrued liabilities	556	137	-1,284
Customers' deposits	-1,090	-5,505	2,614
Other	71	13	-22
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities	8,769	-1,262	5,750
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:	'	'	'
Proceeds from sale of property	77	8	42
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment	-2,468	-2,600	-5,588
Cash paid for the acquisition of Visys, net of cash acquired	-11,607	0	0
Cash used in investing activities	-13,998	-2,592	-5,546
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:	'	'	'
Payments on long-term debt	-697	-345	-333
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	95	94	147
Stock buyback	-30	-710	0
Issuance costs of stock and warrants	-188	0	0
Excess tax benefits from share based payments	40	55	76
Exchange of shares for statutory withholding	-240	-205	-416
Cash used in financing activities	-1,020	-1,111	-526
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH	95	-34	-20
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	-6,154	-4,999	-342
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR	23,755	28,754	29,096
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR	17,601	23,755	28,754
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:	'	'	'
Cash paid during the period for interest	275	278	264
Cash paid (refunded) during the period for income taxes	4,179	-705	481
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NONCASH FINANCING ACTIVITIES	'	'	'
Common stock issued for acquisition	7,325	0	0
Warrants issued for acquisition	$727	$0	$0

The_Company_and_Summary_of_Sig

The Company and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
The Company and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	1	THE COMPANY AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	Key Technology, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (the “Company”) design, manufacture, sell and service process automation systems that integrate electro-optical inspection and sorting systems with process systems that include specialized conveying and product preparation equipment.  The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Key Technology, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries:  Key Technology Holdings USA LLC; Productos Key Mexicana S. de R. L. de C.V.; Key Technology (Shanghai) Trading Co. Ltd.; Key Technology Asia-Pacific Pte. Ltd.; and Key Technology Australia Pty Ltd.  Suplusco Holding B.V. is a wholly-owned European subsidiary of Key Technology Holdings USA LLC that includes the accounts of Key Technology B.V. and Visys N.V.  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
	Revenue Recognition—The Company recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been provided, the sale price is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured.  Additionally, the Company sells its goods on terms which transfer title and risk of loss at a specified location, typically shipping point, port of loading or port of discharge, depending on the final destination of the goods.  Accordingly, revenue recognition from product sales occurs when all criteria are met, including transfer of title and risk of loss, which occurs either upon shipment by the Company or upon receipt by customers at the location specified in the terms of sale.  Sales of system upgrades are recognized as revenue upon completion of the conversion of the customer’s existing system when this conversion occurs at the customer site.  Certain other, less frequent, equipment sales are recognized as revenue upon completion of installation at the customer site. Revenue earned from services (maintenance, installation support, and repairs) is recognized ratably over the contractual period or as the services are performed.  If any contract provides for both equipment and services (multiple deliverables), the sales price is allocated to the various elements based on the relative selling price.  Each element is then evaluated for revenue recognition based on the previously described criteria.  The Company typically has a very limited number of contracts with multiple deliverables and they are not material to the financial statements.  The Company’s sales arrangements provide for no other significant post-shipment obligations.  If all conditions of revenue recognition are not met, the Company defers revenue recognition.  In the event of revenue deferral, the sale value is not recorded as revenue to the Company, accounts receivable are reduced by any related amounts owed by the customer, and the cost of the goods or services deferred is carried in inventory.  In addition, the Company periodically evaluates whether an allowance for sales returns is necessary.  Historically, the Company has experienced few sales returns.  If the Company believes there are potential sales returns, the Company would provide any necessary provision against sales.  The Company accounts for cash consideration (such as sales incentives) that are given to customers or resellers as a reduction of revenue rather than as an operating expense unless an identified benefit is received for which fair value can be reasonably estimated.  Upon receipt of an order, the Company generally receives a deposit which is recorded as customers’ deposits.  The Company makes periodic evaluations of the creditworthiness of its customers and generally does not require collateral.  An allowance for credit losses is provided based upon historical experience and anticipated losses.  The Company records revenues net of any taxes, such as sales tax, which are passed through to the customer.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents—The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of 90 days or less at date of acquisition to be cash equivalents.  Accounts at each institution regularly exceed Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance coverage.  The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts.
	Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or market.
	Property, Plant and Equipment are recorded at cost and depreciated over estimated useful lives on the straight-line basis, and depreciation commences at the time assets are placed in service.  Leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of useful life or the term of the applicable lease using the straight-line method.  The range of useful lives for fixed assets is as follows:
		Years
	Buildings and improvements	7 to 40
	Manufacturing equipment	3 to 10
	Office equipment, furniture and fixtures	3 to 7
	Computer equipment and software	3 to 7
	Goodwill and Other Intangibles—The Company has only one reporting unit, and the estimated fair value of the Company approximates the market value of the Company.  The Company performed its annual assessment on July 31, 2013 and determined that there has been no impairment of goodwill due to the fair value of the reporting unit exceeding its carrying amount.  The fair value of the Company was calculated based on the market capitalization of the Company as of July 31, 2013.
	Other intangibles are amortized over the estimated useful lives of the related assets, which are between 3 to 16 years.  Management periodically evaluates the recoverability of other intangibles based upon current and anticipated results of operations and undiscounted future cash flows.  Amortization of other intangibles was $996,000, $15,000, and $15,000 for the years ended September 30, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively (see Note 2).
	Product Warranties—The Company provides a warranty on its products ranging from 90 days to five years following the date of shipment, the majority of which are for periods of one year or less.  Management establishes allowances for warranty costs based upon the types of products shipped and product warranty experience.  The provision for warranty costs is charged to cost of sales at the time of sale, and it is periodically assessed for adequacy based on changes in these factors.
	A reconciliation of the changes in the Company’s allowances for warranties is as follows (in thousands):
			2013				2012
	Beginning Balance		$	2,030			$	2,423
	Warranty costs incurred		(4,194		)		(3,639		)
	Warranty expense accrued		4,741				3,276
	Balance acquired in acquisition		107				—
	Translation adjustments		52				(30		)
	Ending balance		$	2,736			$	2,030
	Research and Development—Expenditures for research and development are expensed when incurred.
	Foreign Currency Translation—Assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency are translated to U.S. dollars at the exchange rate on the balance sheet date.  Translation adjustments are shown as part of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).  Revenues, costs, and expenses are translated using an average rate.  Realized and unrealized foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in the consolidated statement of operations.
	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets—The Company regularly reviews all of its long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment, and amortizable intangible assets, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.  If the total of future undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying amount of these assets, an impairment loss, if any, based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the assets, is recorded. There were no events during the period that indicated the carrying value of long-lived assets may be impaired.
	Estimates—The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	Termination Costs—In fiscal 2012, the Company announced certain cost reduction initiatives. As a result, the Company incurred approximately $800,000 in costs related to the reduction in force, the majority of which relates to one-time termination benefits. In addition, the Company incurred approximately $500,000 of other employment separation charges during fiscal 2012. Approximately $1.0 million and $300,000 of these costs were expensed as operating expenses and costs of goods sold, respectively, in fiscal 2012.
	Financial Instruments—The carrying value of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued payroll liabilities and commissions, accrued customer support and warranty costs, and other accrued liabilities approximates their estimated fair values due to the short maturities of those instruments.
	Derivative Financial Instruments—The Company recognizes all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value.  The Company enters into such instruments only with financial institutions of good standing, and the total credit exposure related to non-performance by those institutions is not material to the operations of the Company.
	Earnings Per Share—Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net earnings available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding for the period.  Diluted EPS is computed by dividing net earnings available to common shareholders by the weighted average common stock and common stock equivalent shares outstanding during each period using the treasury stock method for employee stock option plans, warrants and service-based stock awards.  The calculation of the basic and diluted EPS from continuing operations is as follows (in thousands except per share data):
			For the year ended September 30, 2013
			Earnings				Shares			Per-Share Amount
	Basic EPS:
	Net earnings available to common shareholders		$	4,011			5,836			$	0.69
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Common stock options		—				5
	Warrants						14
	Diluted EPS:
	Net earnings available to common shareholders plus assumed conversions		$	4,011			5,855			$	0.69
			For the year ended September 30, 2012
			Earnings				Shares			Per-Share Amount
	Basic EPS:
	Net earnings available to common shareholders		$	449			5,390			$	0.08
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Common stock options		—				9
	Diluted EPS:
	Net earnings available to common shareholders plus assumed conversions		$	449			5,399			$	0.08
			For the year ended September 30, 2011
			Earnings				Shares			Per-Share Amount
	Basic EPS:
	Net earnings available to common shareholders		$	1,454			5,311			$	0.27
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Common stock options		—				18
	Diluted EPS:
	Net earnings available to common shareholders plus assumed conversions		$	1,454			5,329			$	0.27
	The weighted average number of diluted shares does not include potential common shares which are anti-dilutive.  The following potential common shares were not included in the calculation of diluted EPS as they were anti-dilutive:
			For the year ended September 30,
			2013			2012			2011
	Common shares from:
	Assumed exercise of stock options		10,000			10,000			—
	Warrants		—			—			—
	The options expire on dates beginning in February 2014 through February 2015.  The restrictions on stock grants may lapse between October 2013 and August 2016. The warrants expire in March 2016.
	Comprehensive Income (loss)—In fiscal 2012, the Company reclassified losses of $209,000 for accumulated currency translation adjustments from Other Comprehensive income to the results of operations in Other income (expense).This reclassification was related to an operational restructuring where the Company announced that it believed it could most effectively address the China market through its existing distributor and representative partnerships. Operations related to the China market would continue through these sales channels and internal sales functions in the United States. In fiscal 2012, as part of the implementation of this decision, the Company closed its small China sales office operating as a wholly-owned foreign subsidiary, Key Technology (Shanghai) Trading Co. Ltd., which resulted in the liquidation of the assets and liabilities of the foreign subsidiary.
Share-Based Compensation—The Company measures the cost of share-based payments based on the grant-date fair value of the award.  The cost is recognized as expense over the requisite service period required in exchange for the award.  No compensation cost is recognized for awards where the requisite service period is not completed.  For awards with a performance condition, compensation cost is only recognized if the performance condition is probable of being achieved.
Accounting for Income Taxes—Deferred income taxes are provided for the effects of temporary differences arising from differences in the reporting of revenues and expenses for financial statement and for income tax purposes under the asset and liability method using currently enacted tax rates. The Company recognizes the financial statement benefit of a tax position only after determining that the relevant tax authority would more likely than not sustain the position following an audit. For tax positions meeting the more-likely-than-not threshold, the amount recognized in the financial statements is the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the relevant tax authority.
Reclassifications—Certain reclassifications, which were not material to the financial statements, have been made to prior year amounts to conform to the current year presentation.

Business_Acquisition

Business Acquisition	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Acquisition	'
	2	ACQUISITION
	Effective February 28, 2013, the Company acquired all the outstanding stock of Visys N.V., a privately-held Belgian company. Accordingly, the results of operations for Visys N.V. have been included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements from that date forward. The acquisition was made for the purpose of acquiring and developing next-generation technologies and expanding our product offerings consistent with our strategic growth initiatives.
	Fair Value of Consideration - Consideration for the acquisition consisted of the following (at fair value):
			Amount
			(in thousands)
	Cash		$	13,200
	Common shares of the Company issued (600,000 shares)		7,326
	Warrants issued (250,000)		728
	Total		$	21,254
	Fair value of the Company's common shares issued was determined on the basis of the closing market price on the date of the closing of the acquisition. The fair value of the warrants was determined with a Black-Scholes valuation model using the current stock price at the acquisition date, time until expiration, a 34% volatility rate and a 0.36% risk-free interest rate. The warrants may be exercised within three years after the date of issue at a price per share of $11.78 as stated in the acquisition agreement. One-half of the warrants may be exercised following the first anniversary of the closing date and the other half following the second anniversary of the closing date. The warrants may be exercised for cash or on a cashless basis.
	The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date.
			Amount
			(in thousands)
	Cash		$	1,593
	Accounts receivable		668
	Inventory		8,250
	Property and equipment		299
	Other assets		848
	Intangible assets (identifiable)		11,400
	Current liabilities, including current portion of long term debt		(5,609		)
	Long term debt		(1,372		)
	Deferred taxes		(3,794		)
	Total identifiable net assets		12,283
	Goodwill		8,971
			$	21,254
	Goodwill - Goodwill in the amount of $9.0 million was recognized in the acquisition of Visys N.V. and is attributable to the benefits expected to arise after the acquisition, including additional distribution and market penetration, which can be leveraged from the combined product portfolios. None of the total amount of goodwill recognized is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes.
	The fair value of accounts receivables acquired was $668,000 with the gross contractual amount being $790,000. The fair value of the $1.9 million of debt assumed in the acquisition approximates its carrying value.
	The fair value of inventory acquired includes an increase of $1.8 million related to the fair value adjustment of the acquisition date inventory.
	Identified intangible assets acquired includes:
			Amount			Average Life
			(in thousands)			(Years)
	Developed technology		$	5,000		8
	Patents		3,300			16
	Non-compete agreements		1,600			3
	Trade name		1,000			8
	Customer relationships		500			4
			$	11,400
	The identifiable intangible assets of $11.4 million are subject to a weighted-average useful life of approximately 9.4 years.
	Pro forma Information - The amounts of Visys N.V. net sales and the net loss included in the consolidated income statement from the date of acquisition for fiscal 2013 was $5.0 million and $2.2 million, respectively. The following consolidated pro forma information is based on the assumption that the acquisition occurred on October 1, 2011 (in thousands except per share data).
			Year Ended September 30,
			2013			2012
	Net sales		$	141,549		$	124,342
	Net earnings (loss)		$	4,685		$	(1,170	)
	Pro forma net earnings (loss) per share		$	0.77		$	(0.20	)
	Pro forma weighted average shares outstanding		6,185			5,999
	Pro forma net earnings was adjusted to exclude $785,000 of acquisition-related costs incurred in the period ending September 30, 2013 and $883,000 of non-recurring expenses related to the fair value adjustment of acquired inventory for the period ending September 30, 2013.
	Acquisition-Related Costs - Costs related to the acquisition, which include legal, accounting and valuation fees, in the amount of $785,000 have been charged directly to operations and are included in Operating expenses as General and Administrative expenses in the 2013 consolidated statement of operations for the year ended September 30, 2013. The Company also recognized $188,000 in costs associated with issuing the common stock and warrants issued as consideration in the acquisition. Those costs were deducted from the recognized proceeds of issuance within shareholders' equity.
	Litigation - The acquired company is subject to litigation proceedings in Belgium and the Netherlands for alleged patent infringement and unfair competition claims seeking damages for lost profits, procedural costs and other damages. The cumulative amount of claims is approximately €12.75 million. As a result of our due diligence investigation in connection with the acquisition of Visys, the Company believes the claims are without merit and intends to pursue its defenses in these proceedings. As a result, no provision has been recorded for these claims.

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	'
	3	GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
	As of September 30, 2013, the Company had the following intangible assets (in thousands):
			Cost		Net Book Value		Amortization Life (Years)
	Patents and developed technologies		$	18,985	$	8,244	3 to 16
	Trademarks and trade names		1,036		960		8
	Customer relationships		518		442		4
	Non-compete agreements		1,649		1,336		3
			$	22,188	$	10,982
	Amortization expense for the next five fiscal years is expected to be approximately:
	Year Ended September 30,	(In thousands)
	2014	$	1,741
	2015	1,733
	2016	1,369
	2017	1,044
	2018	991
	Thereafter	4,104
	Total	$	10,982
	As of September 30, 2013, the Company had $11.8 million of goodwill which is not being amortized.  Other than the acquired goodwill in fiscal 2013, there were no changes to goodwill during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.

Trade_Accounts_Receivable

Trade Accounts Receivable	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Receivables [Abstract]	'
Trade Accounts Receivable	'
	4	TRADE ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
	Trade accounts receivable consist of the following (in thousands):
			September 30,
			2013			2012
	Trade accounts receivable		$	18,021		$	11,616
	Allowance for doubtful accounts		(296		)	(190		)
	Total trade accounts receivable, net		$	17,725		$	11,426
	Amounts charged to bad debt expense for fiscal 2013, 2012, and 2011 were $2,000, $24,000, and $(126,000), respectively.  Actual charges to the allowance for doubtful accounts for fiscal 2013, 2012, and 2011 were $26,000, $84,000, and $65,000, respectively.

Inventories

Inventories	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventories	'
	5.         INVENTORIES
	Inventories consist of the following (in thousands):
		September 30,
		2013		2012
	Purchased components and raw materials	$	10,657	$	8,659
	Work-in-process and sub-assemblies	7,802		8,656
	Finished goods	9,462		5,851
	Total inventories	$	27,921	$	23,166
	At September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, cumulative inventory adjustments to lower of cost or market totaled $3.5 million and $2.6 million.  Amounts charged to expense to record inventory at lower of cost or market were $1.7 million for fiscal 2013, $1.6 million for fiscal 2012, and $1.3 million for fiscal 2011.  Actual charges to the cumulative inventory adjustments upon disposition or sale of inventory were $0.9 million, $0.8 million, and $1.1 million for fiscal 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively.

Property_Plant_and_Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment	'
	6	PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
	Property, plant and equipment consist of the following (in thousands):
			September 30,
			2013			2012
	Land and land improvements		$	2,571		$	2,555
	Buildings and improvements		9,161			8,721
	Manufacturing equipment		12,969			12,580
	Computer equipment and software		18,299			16,440
	Office equipment, furniture and fixtures		2,475			2,272
	Construction in progress		40			561
			45,515			43,129
	Accumulated depreciation		(28,256		)	(24,759		)
	Total property, plant and equipment, net		$	17,259		$	18,370
	Depreciation expense was $3.9 million, $3.6 million, and $2.9 million for fiscal 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively.

Investment_in_Proditec

Investment in Proditec	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]	'
Investment in Proditec	'
	7	INVESTMENT IN PRODITEC
	In fiscal 2009, the Company acquired a 15% minority interest in Proditec SAS, a French manufacturer of automated, solid dose pharmaceutical inspection systems for approximately $1.5 million.  The Company has certain tag along rights related to any capital changes at Proditec and may sell its shares to any third party subject to Proditec’s by-laws and right of pre-emption by Proditec.  This investment is being accounted for under the cost method of accounting. In fiscal 2013 and 2012, the Company received $6,000 and $25,000, respectively, in dividends from Proditec which reduced the cost of the Company's investment.
	As of September 30, 2013, the investment had a carrying value of approximately $1.1 million and the fair value of the Company’s investment in Proditec was not estimated as there were no events or changes in circumstances that may have a significant adverse effect on the fair value of the investment, and the Company’s management determined that it was not practicable to estimate the fair value of the investment.  Further, there are no quoted market prices for the Company’s investment, and sufficient information is not readily available for the Company to utilize a valuation model to determine its fair value without incurring excessive costs relative to the materiality of the investment.  The Company’s cost method investment is evaluated for potential other-than-temporary impairment on at least a quarterly basis, or when an event or change in circumstances has occurred that may have a significant adverse effect on the fair value of the investment.

Financing_Agreements

Financing Agreements	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Financing Agreements	'
	8	FINANCING AGREEMENTS
	The Company’s domestic credit facility provides a revolving line of credit to the Company in the maximum principal amount of $15,000,000 and a credit sub-facility of up to $6,000,000 for standby letters of credit of which up to €3.0 million ($4.1 million) is available to our Netherlands facility.  The revolving line of credit matures on September 30, 2014.  The credit facility bears interest, at the Company’s option, at either the bank’s prime rate or the British Bankers Association LIBOR Rate (“BBA LIBOR”) using a tiered structure depending upon the Company’s achievement of a specified financial ratio.  The Company’s prime rate option will be either the bank’s prime rate or prime less 0.25% per annum.  The Company’s BBA LIBOR option will be either BBA LIBOR plus 1.75% or 1.50% per annum.  At September 30, 2013, the interest rate would have been 1.68% based on the lowest of the available alternative rates.  The revolving line of credit is secured by all U.S. accounts receivable, inventory, equipment, and fixtures.  At September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under the revolving line of credit and $548,000 and $250,000, respectively, in standby letters of credit.
	The loan agreement also provided for a 15-year term loan in the amount of $6.4 million of which $4.8 million was outstanding as of September 30, 2013.  The term loan provides for a mortgage on the Company’s Avery Street headquarters land and building located in Walla Walla, Washington.  The term loan bears interest at the BBA LIBOR rate plus 1.40% and matures on January 2, 2024.  The Company has also simultaneously entered into an interest rate swap agreement with the lender to fix the interest rate at 4.27%.
	The credit facilities contain covenants which require operating within a funded debt to EBITDA ratio, a fixed charge coverage ratio and minimum working capital levels.  The loan agreement permits capital expenditures up to a certain level, and contains customary default and acceleration provisions.  The credit facilities also restrict acquisitions, incurrence of additional indebtedness and lease expenditures above certain levels without the prior consent of the lender.  In fiscal 2013, the relevant loan agreement was amended to permit the acquisition of Visys N.V. At September 30, 2013, the Company was in compliance with its loan covenants.
	The Company’s credit accommodation with a commercial bank in The Netherlands provides a credit facility for its European subsidiary.  This credit accommodation totals €1.75 million ($2.4 million) and includes an operating line of the lesser of €250,000 ($338,000) or the available borrowing base, which is based on varying percentages of eligible accounts receivable and inventories, and a bank guarantee facility of €1.5 million ($2 million).  The operating line and bank guarantee facility are secured by all of the subsidiary’s personal property.  The credit facility bears interest at the bank’s prime rate, with a minimum of 3.00%, plus 1.75%.  At September 30, 2013, the interest rate was 5.95%.  At September 30, 2013, the Company had no borrowings under this facility and had received bank guarantees of €502,000 ($679,000) under the bank guarantee facility.  The credit accommodation contains a covenant which requires the maintenance of minimum tangible net worth levels at the subsidiary measured as of September 30 of each fiscal year.  At September 30, 2013, the Company was in compliance with the tangible net worth covenant.  At September 30, 2012, the Company had no borrowings under this facility and had received bank guarantees of €152,000 ($196,000) under the bank guarantee facility.  The credit facility allows overages on the bank guarantee facility.  Any overages reduce the available borrowings from the operating line.
	The Company's Belgian subsidiary's credit accommodation with a commercial bank in Belgium provides a credit facility for its Belgian subsidiary. This credit accommodation totals €2.7 million ($3.7 million) and includes an operating line of €800,000 ($1.1 million), a bank guarantee facility of €500,000 ($0.7 million), and loan agreement provisions of €1.4 million ($1.9 million). The operating line and bank guarantee facility are secured by all of the subsidiary's current assets.The Belgian operating line bears interest at the bank's prime rate, plus 1.25%. At September 30, 2013, the interest rate was 9.75%. At September 30, 2013, the subsidiary had no borrowings under the operating line. At September 30, 2013, the subsidiary had various loans outstanding under the loan agreement provision totaling €1.1 million ($1.5 million). The fixed interest rates on these loans ranged from 2.91% to 3.98%. The loans mature between February 2014 and November 2017. The credit accommodation contains a covenant which requires the maintenance of a minimum tangible net worth and debt to EBITDA ratio levels at the subsidiary measured as of December 31 of each fiscal year. At December 31, 2012, the subsidiary was in compliance with the bank covenants. At September 30, 2013, the subsidiary had no bank guarantees under the bank guarantee facility. Additionally, the subsidiary had a subordinated loan with another European lender of €130,000 ($176,000). The loan has a fixed interest rate of 4.99% and matures in March 2016.
	Principal payments on long-term debt are as follows:
	Year Ended September 30,	(In thousands)
	2014	$	871
	2015	832
	2016	820
	2017	712
	2018	486
	Thereafter	2,762
	Total	$	6,483
	Based on the borrowing rates currently available to the Company for loans with similar terms and maturities, the fair value of long-term debt at September 30, 2013 approximates its carrying value.

Derivative_instruments

Derivative instruments	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Derivative instruments	'
	9	DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
	The Company uses derivative instruments as risk management tools but does not use derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes.  Derivatives used for interest rate swap hedging purposes are designated and effective as a cash flow hedge of the identified risk exposure related to the Company’s variable rate mortgage at the inception of the contract.  A hedge is deemed effective if changes in the fair value of the derivative contract are highly correlated with changes in the underlying hedged item at inception of the hedge and over the life of the hedge contract.  To the extent the interest rate swap is effective, changes in the fair value will be recognized in Other Comprehensive Income over the term of the derivative contract.  To the extent the interest rate swap is not effective, changes in the fair value will be recognized in earnings.
	At September 30, 2013, the Company had an interest rate swap with a notional amount of $4.8 million that effectively fixes the interest rate on its LIBOR-based variable rate mortgage at 4.27%.  At September 30, 2013, the fair value of the swap agreement recorded as a liability in Other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet was $247,000.  There were no gains or losses recognized as part of net earnings in the Consolidated Statement of Operations related to the swap agreement during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013, as the interest rate swap was highly effective as a cash flow hedge.  Consequently, changes in the fair value of the interest rate swap of $254,000 during fiscal 2013 were recorded as part of Other Comprehensive Income in the Equity section of the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet.  During fiscal 2013, the Company recorded $135,000 as interest expense related to the interest rate swap reflecting actual interest payments and settlements on the interest rate swap.  The interest rate swap matures in January 2024.
	At September 30, 2013, the Company had a one-month undesignated forward exchange contract for €2.0 million ($2.7 million).  Forward exchange contracts are used to manage the Company’s foreign currency exchange risk related to its ongoing operations.  Net foreign currency losses of $180,000 were recorded for forward exchange contracts in the year ended September 30, 2013 in Other income (expense) on the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Operations.  The losses on the Company’s forward exchange contracts are generally offset by gains recorded on the underlying assets or liabilities held in foreign currencies.  At September 30, 2013, the Company had liabilities of $46,000 for settlements under these forward contracts in Other accrued liabilities on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet.  At September 30, 2012, the Company had liabilities of $252,000 under these forward contracts in Other accrued liabilities on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Fair_value_measurements

Fair value measurements	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair value measurements	'
	10	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
	Fair value measurements are classified under the following hierarchy:
	•	Level 1 – Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.
	•	Level 2 – Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs or significant value-drivers are observable in active markets.
	•	Level 3 – Model-derived valuations in which one or more significant inputs or significant value-drivers are unobservable.
	When available, the Company uses quoted market prices to determine fair value and classifies such measurements within Level 1.  In some cases where market prices are not available, the Company makes use of observable market-based inputs to calculate fair value, in which case the measurements are classified within Level 2.  If quoted or observable market processes are not available, fair value is based upon internally developed models that use, where possible, current market-based parameters such as interest rates, yield curves and currency rates.  These measurements are classified within
	Level 3.
	Derivative financial instruments
	Interest rate swap agreements are measured on a recurring basis based on quoted prices for similar financial instruments and other observable inputs which approximate fair value.  The fair value of foreign currency forward contracts is based on the differential between contract price and the market-based forward rate.
	The following table presents the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis consistent with the fair value hierarchy provisions.
			Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2013,
			(in thousands)
	Description		Level 1	Level 2			Level 3	Total Assets/Liabilities at Fair Value
	Derivatives:
	Interest rate swap		—	$	(247	)	—	$	(247	)
	Forward exchange contracts		—	—			—	—
	At September 30, 2013, the Company had long-term debt of approximately $6.5 million.  The Company’s long-term debt is recorded at historical cost, and the Company has not elected to fair value such financial instruments.  The estimated fair value of the debt approximated its carrying value based on the borrowing rates currently available to the Company for loans with similar terms and maturities.
	Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument.  These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and, therefore, cannot be determined with precision.  Forward exchange contracts had a fair value of zero at the reporting date, as these contracts were entered into as of that date.  Changes in assumptions could significantly affect these estimates.
	At September 30, 2013, the Company’s minority interest in Proditec SAS had a carrying value of approximately $1.1 million.  This investment is being accounted for under the cost method.  The fair value of the Company’s investment in Proditec was not estimated as there were no events or changes in circumstances that may have had a significant adverse effect on the fair value of the investment, and the Company’s management determined that it was not practicable to estimate the fair value of the investment.  Further, there are not quoted market prices for the Company’s investment, and sufficient information is not readily available for the Company to utilize a valuation model to determine its fair value without incurring excessive costs relative to the materiality of the investment.  The Company’s cost method investment is evaluated for potential other-than-temporary impairment on at least a quarterly basis, or when an event or change in circumstances has occurred that may have a significant adverse effect on the fair value of the investment.

Leases

Leases	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Leases [Abstract]	'
Leases	'
	11	LEASES
	The Company has a leased sales facility in Washington State.  The lease expires in 2015, with two five year renewal options.  The Company has the option to purchase the facility at any time over the rental period for $1.5 million declining to $1.4 million during the remaining lease term.  The Company has a leased operating facility in Oregon the lease on which expires in 2022, with two five-year renewal options.  The Company has leased an operating facility in The Netherlands under a lease that expires in 2015, with a one-year renewal option, and a leased warehouse facility which expires in 2015. The Company has a leased operating facility in Belgium under a lease which expires in 2016, with a three-year renewal option. The Company also has leased office space for sales and service and other activities in Australia, Mexico, and Belgium, and other leased facilities in Walla Walla.  The Company also has leased vehicles, primarily in international locations.
	Rental expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.  Rental expense for the Company’s operating leases referred to above was $1.3 million for the year ended September 30, 2013, $1.2 million for the year ended September 30, 2012, and $1.2 million for the year ended September 30, 2011.
	The following is a schedule of future minimum rental payments required under operating leases and future rental expense (in thousands):
	Year Ending September 30,		Rental Payments		Rental Expense
	2014		$	1,162	$	1,176
	2015		791		802
	2016		448		456
	2017		286		290
	2018		283		283
	Thereafter		1,000		952
	Total		$	3,970	$	3,959

Contractual_guarantees_and_ind

Contractual guarantees and indemnities	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Guarantees [Abstract]	'
Contractual guarantees and indemnities	'
	12	CONTRACTUAL GUARANTEES AND INDEMNITIES
	Intellectual property and general contractual indemnities
	The Company, in the normal course of business, provides specific, limited indemnification to its customers for liability and damages related to intellectual property rights.  In addition, the Company may enter into contracts with customers where it has agreed to indemnify the customer for personal injury or property damage caused by the Company’s products and services. Indemnification is typically limited to replacement of the items or the actual price of the products and services.  The Company maintains product liability insurance as well as errors and omissions insurance, which may provide a source of recovery in the event of an indemnification claim, but does not maintain insurance coverage for claims related to intellectual property rights.
	Historically, any amounts payable under these indemnifications have not had a material effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. The Company has not recorded any provision for future obligations under these indemnifications.  If the Company determines it is probable that a loss has occurred under these indemnifications, then any such reasonably estimable loss would be recognized.
	Director and officer indemnities
	The Company has entered into indemnification agreements with its directors and certain executive officers which require the Company to indemnify such individuals against certain expenses, judgments and fines in third-party and derivative proceedings.  The Company may recover, under certain circumstances, some of the expenses and liabilities that arise in connection with such indemnifications under the terms of its directors’ and officers’ insurance policies.  The Company has not recorded any provision for future obligations under these indemnification agreements.
	Bank guarantees and letters of credit
	At September 30, 2013, the Company had standby letters of credit totaling $1.2 million, which includes secured bank guarantees under the Company's domestic and European credit facilities. If the Company fails to meet its contractual obligations, these bank guarantees and letters of credit may become liabilities of the Company.  This amount consists of approximately (i) $548,000 of outstanding performance guarantees secured by bank guarantees under the Company's domestic credit facility, (ii) $679,000 of outstanding performance guarantees secured by bank guarantees under the Company's Netherlands subsidiary’s credit facility, and (iii) no outstanding performance guarantees secured by bank guarantees under the Company's Belgian subsidiary's credit facility.  Bank guarantees arise when the Company collects customer deposits prior to order fulfillment.  The customer deposits received are recorded as current liabilities on the Company's balance sheet.  The bank guarantees repayment of the customer deposit in the event an order is not completed.  The bank guarantee is canceled upon shipment and transfer of title.  These bank guarantees arise in the normal course of the Company's business and are not deemed to expose the Company to any significant risks since they are satisfied as part of the design and manufacturing process.

Income_taxes

Income taxes	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income taxes	'
	13	INCOME TAXES
	The provision for income taxes from continuing operations consists of the following (in thousands):
			Year Ended Year Ended September 30,
			2013				2012				2011
	Current:
	Federal		$	4,381			$	255			$	(1,271	)
	Foreign		14				10				57
	State		387				35				(30		)
			4,782				300				(1,244		)
	Deferred:
	Federal		(2,180		)		(101		)		2,758
	Foreign		(1,092		)		(48		)		(1,060		)
	State		(110		)		(11		)		58
			(3,382		)		(160		)		1,756
	Valuation reserves:
	Federal		137				(1,749		)		(177		)
	Foreign		(135		)		1,754				161
	State		—				—				(1		)
			2				5				(17		)
	Total income tax expense		$	1,402			$	145			$	495
	The Company accounts for its deferred tax assets and liabilities, including excess tax benefits of share-based payments, based on the tax ordering of deductions to be used on its tax returns.  The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are as follows (in thousands):
			September 30,
			2013				2012
	Deferred tax asset:
	Reserves and accruals		$	4,807			$	2,836
	Tax benefits of share-based payments		704				754
	NOL and other carry forwards		878				88
	Unrealized changes in value of derivatives to equity		84				34
	Deferred tax liability:
	Accumulated depreciation		(1,437		)		(2,037		)
	Intangible assets		(4,025		)		(253		)
	Translation adjustment to equity		(443		)		(2		)
	Net deferred tax asset		$	568			$	1,420
	Net deferred tax:
	Current asset		$	5,034			$	2,854
	Long-term asset		760				—
	Long-term liability		(5,226		)		(1,434		)
	Net deferred tax asset		$	568			$	1,420
	At September 30, 2013, the Company had valuation reserves of approximately $180,000 for deferred tax assets for capital loss carry forwards and changes in the carrying value of its investment in Proditec, and offsetting amounts for foreign deferred tax assets and U.S. deferred tax liabilities, primarily related to net operating loss carry forwards in the foreign jurisdictions that the Company believes will not be utilized during the carryforward period. During fiscal 2013, the Company recorded net additional valuation reserves of $2,000 related to capital loss carryforwards and $3,000 as part of the acquisition of Visys related to net operating loss carryforwards. In addition, the Company reversed offsetting amounts of approximately $135,000 of valuation reserves for foreign deferred tax assets and U.S. deferred tax liabilities related to the utilization of net operating loss carryforwards in Europe in fiscal 2013. As these were offsetting amounts, these changes had no effect on net earnings.
	During fiscal 2012, the Company recorded net additional valuation reserves of $5,000 related to capital loss carryforwards. In addition, the Company recorded offsetting amounts of approximately $2.5 million of valuation reserves for foreign deferred tax assets and U.S. deferred tax liabilities related to net operating loss carryforwards in foreign jurisdictions that the Company believes will not be utilized during the carryforward periods. The Company also reversed offsetting amounts of approximately $700,000 of valuation reserves for Chinese deferred tax assets and U.S. deferred tax liabilities related to net operating loss carryforwards that were utilized in the foreign jurisdiction. As these were all offsetting amounts, these changes had no effect on net earnings.   There were no other valuation allowances at September 30, 2013 due to anticipated utilization of all the deferred tax assets as the Company believes it will have sufficient taxable income to utilize these assets.
	During fiscal 2011, the Company recorded $160,000 of valuation reserves related to net operating loss carryforwards in foreign jurisdictions offset by U.S. deferred tax liabilities and reversed $17,000 of valuation reserves for capital loss carryforwards that were utilized to offset capital gains on its corporate income tax return.
	Income tax expense is computed at rates different than statutory rates.  The reconciliation between effective and statutory rates is as follows:
			Year Ended September 30,
			2013			2012			2011
	Statutory rates		34	%		34	%		34	%
	Increase (reduction) in income taxes resulting from:
	Domestic production deduction		(6.5	)%		(7.5	)%		—	%
	Research and development credit		(6.2	)%		(13.3	)%		(12.6	)%
	Changes in tax law, R&D credit		(3.5	)%		—	%		(3.7	)%
	State income taxes, net of federal benefit		3.4	%		2.7	%		0.9	%
	Rate differential, surtax on taxable income levels		0.8	%		—	%		—	%
	Differences in foreign rates		0.1	%		—	%		—	%
	Non-deductible acquisition costs		2.5	%		—	%		—	%
	Tax exempt interest		—	%		—	%		(0.1	)%
	Valuation reserve-capital losses		—	%		(0.7	)%		(0.8	)%
	Valuation reserve-Proditec		—	%		1.5	%		—	%
	Meals and entertainment deduction limitation		1.2	%		9.6	%		3.6	%
	Non-deductible stock compensation		0.1	%		0.8	%		0.3	%
	Loss of permanent deductions due to NOL carryback		—	%		—	%		3.8	%
	Other permanent differences		—	%		(2.7	)%		—	%
	Income tax combined effective rate		25.9	%		24.4	%		25.4	%
	In fiscal 2013, the existing research and development tax credit was retroactively renewed and extended to December 31, 2013.  Due to this change in tax law, the Company recorded approximately $192,000 of additional research and development credits in fiscal 2013 related to research and development expenditures incurred during fiscal 2012. The research and development credit was effective for the Company for only the first fiscal quarter of 2012 prior to its expiration date. Similarly, in fiscal 2011, an additional $72,000 of research and development credits were recorded which related to research and development expenditures in fiscal 2010.   The research and development credit expires December 31, 2013 and, as of the date of this report, has not been renewed.
	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):
Balance at October 1, 2012	$	72
Additions based on tax positions related to the current period	57
Additions for tax positions of prior period	—
Reductions for tax positions of prior periods	(3		)
Settlements	—
Balance at September 30, 2013	$	126
As of September 30, 2013, the amount of unrecognized tax benefits, which if recognized would favorably affect the Company’s effective tax rate, is $126,000.
The Company is subject to income taxes in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state and foreign jurisdictions.  Tax regulations within each jurisdiction are subject to the interpretation of the related tax laws and regulations and require significant judgment to apply.   The Company is generally no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local, or non-U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities for the years before 2008.
The Company is not currently under examination by any U.S. federal or state jurisdictions, or foreign jurisdictions, and there are no expected material changes in the unrecognized tax benefit liability within the next twelve months.  While it is often difficult to predict the final outcome or the timing of resolution of any particular uncertain tax positions, the Company believes its recorded liabilities for income taxes represent the most probable outcome.  The Company adjusts these liabilities in light of changing facts and circumstances.
The Company recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in other income and expense for all periods presented.    As of September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company had accrued $42,000 and $28,000, respectively, for possible interest and penalties.

Sharebased_compensation

Share-based compensation	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Share-based compensation	'
	14	SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS
	At September 30, 2013, the Company had three share-based compensation plans, which are shareholder-approved, as described below.  The Company issues new shares of common stock for exercises and awards under these plans and non-employee awards.
	Share-based compensation costs charged against income are as follows (in thousands):
			Year Ended September 30,
			2013		2012		2011
	Cost of goods sold		$200		$126		$108
	Operating expenses		1,076		1,056		1,299
	Total share-based compensation expense		1,276		1,182		1,407
	Income tax benefit		455		420		500
	Approximately $21,000, $11,000, and $12,000 of share-based compensation expense remained capitalized in inventory as of September 30, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively.
	As of September 30, 2013, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to these plans was $2.0 million and was comprised of: $1.9 million related to service-based stock awards that is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.09 years and $78,000 related to performance-based stock awards that are expected to be recognized over the weighted-average period of 1.55 years.
	Employees’ Stock Incentive Plans—Under the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan and the 2003 Restated Employees’ Stock Incentive Plan (the “Incentive Plans”), eligible employees may receive restricted stock, incentive stock options or non-qualified stock options. The restrictions on restricted stock awards lapse based on employment-based or performance-based measures.  Options have a contractual term of 10 years and the option exercise price is the fair market value of the underlying stock at the date of grant. At September 30, 2013, the total number of shares reserved for issuance under the Incentive Plans was 672,474, of which 220,193 were available for grant.
	Incentive Stock Options—A summary of option activity under the Incentive Plan as of September 30, 2013 and the year then ended is presented below:
	Options		Number of Shares			Weighted-Average Exercise Price		Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term	Aggregate Intrinsic Value ($000)
	Outstanding at October 1, 2012		35,000			$	10.41	—	—
	Granted		—			—		—	—
	Exercised		(10,000	)		$	5.62	—	—
	Forfeited or expired		—			—		—	—
	Outstanding at September 30, 2013		25,000			$	12.32	0.85	$	55
	Exercisable at September 30, 2013		25,000			$	12.32	0.85	$	55
	There were no options granted in fiscal 2013, 2012, or 2011.  The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the years ended September 30, 2013, 2012, and 2011 was $66,000, $108,000, and $44,000, respectively.  No shares vested in fiscal 2013, 2012 or 2011.
	As of September 30, 2013, there was no unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options granted under the Incentive Plans.
	Service-Based Stock Awards—Under the Incentive Plans, the Company may award service-based stock grants to selected executives and other key employees the lapse of the restrictions on which is contingent upon meeting the required service period, generally two or three years, and in the case of certain executives, in increments over a three-year period, or in the case of members of the Board of Directors, one year.  The fair value of these grants is based on the closing fair market value at the grant date.  The restrictions on the grants lapse at the end of the required service period.  Stock compensation expense is recognized based on the grant date fair value of the stock over the vesting period.
	The summary of activity for service-based stock awards as of September 30, 2013, and changes during the year then ended, is presented below:
	Service-Based Stock Awards		Number of Shares			Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share
	Non-vested balance at October 1, 2012		186,497			$	13.92
	Granted		178,163			$	11.65
	Vested		(103,565	)		$	12.76
	Forfeited		(8,860	)		$	11.84
	Non-vested and expected to vest balance at September 30, 2013		252,235			$	12.86
	The number of shares granted in fiscal 2013 that vest in one year or less was 49,294, vest in two years was 32,873, and vest in three years was 95,996.  The total fair value of shares vested in fiscal 2013, 2012, and 2011 was $1.5 million, $0.9 million, and $1.6 million, respectively.  As of September 30, 2013, there was $1.9 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to service-based stock awards that is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.09 years.  In fiscal 2012, the Company granted 95,805 shares of service-based awards with a weighted average grant date fair value of $13.06.  In fiscal 2011, the Company granted 53,470 shares of service-based awards with a weighted average grant date fair value of $17.89.
	Employee Performance-Based Stock Awards—In fiscal 2013, the Company awarded performance-based stock grants to selected executives. The lapse of restrictions on the awards is contingent on achievement of performance-based objectives as determined by the Compensation and Management Development Committee of the Board of Directors over a three-year period ending September 30, 2015. In fiscal 2012, the Company awarded performance-based stock grants to selected executives.  The lapse of restrictions on some of the awards is contingent on achievement of performance-based objectives as determined by the Compensation and Management Development Committee of the Board of Directors over a three-year period ending September 30, 2014.  In fiscal 2011, the Company awarded performance-based stock grants to selected executives.  The lapse of restrictions on some of the awards was contingent on achievement of performance-based objectives as determined by the Compensation and Management Development Committee of the Board of Directors for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011 and for others over a three-year period ended September 30, 2013.
	Compensation expense is recognized over the period the employee performs related services based on the estimated number of shares expected to vest at the grant date fair value and if it is probable that the performance goal will be achieved.  If the performance goals are not met or the service period is not fulfilled, no compensation cost is recognized and any recognized compensation cost will be reversed.
	A summary of the activity for performance-based stock awards as of September 30, 2013, and changes during the year then ended, is presented below:
	Performance-Based Stock Awards		Number of Shares			Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share
	Non-vested balance at October 1, 2012		76,622			$	13
	Granted		103,026			$	14.67
	Vested		—			$	—
	Forfeited		(4,602	)		$	14.67
	Non-vested balance at September 30, 2013		175,046			$	13.94
	The total fair value of shares that vested in fiscal 2013, 2012, and 2011 was $0, $0, and $245,000, respectively.  The Company estimates it is less than probable that the performance based objectives will be achieved on all but 5,304 shares related to these awards and, therefore, no compensation cost is expected to be recognized on these awards. As of September 30, 2013, there was $78,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to the performance-based stock awards, where it is probable the performance based objectives will be achieved, that is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.55 years.  In fiscal 2012, the Company granted 92,910 shares of performance based awards with a grant date fair value of $11.20.  In fiscal 2011, the Company granted 60,212 shares of performance-based awards with a grant date fair value of $17.37.
	Employee Stock Purchase Plan—Most employees are eligible to participate in the Company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “Purchase Plan”).  Shares are not available to employees who already own 5% or more of the Company’s stock.  Employees can withhold, by payroll deductions, up to 5% of their regular compensation to purchase shares at a purchase price of 85% of the fair market value of the common stock on the purchase date.  There were 500,000 shares reserved for purchase under the Purchase Plan of which 357,769 remained available at September 30, 2013.
	During the years ended September 30, 2013, 2012, and 2011, the Company issued 6,257, 8,417, and 8,269 shares, respectively, under the Purchase Plan and recorded compensation cost based on the 15% discount from market price paid by the employees.
	Cash received from option exercises and employee stock purchase plan purchases was $95,000, $94,000, and $147,000 for the years ended September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  The tax benefit to be realized for the tax deductions from option exercises and restricted shares vesting under the share-based payment arrangements was $453,000, $392,000, and $642,000 for the years ended September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Stock_Repurchase_Program

Stock Repurchase Program	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Stock Repurchase Program	'
	15	STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM
	The Company initiated a stock repurchase program effective May 30, 2012 to repurchase up to 500,000 shares of its common stock.  The Company retires the shares upon repurchase and the new program replaces the prior stock repurchase program which has been terminated.  The timing of any repurchases and the exact number of shares to be purchased will be determined by the Company and will depend on market conditions and other factors. The program does not incorporate a fixed expiration date. In fiscal 2013, the Company purchased and retired 3,288 shares at an average price of $9.20 per share. In fiscal 2012, the Company purchased and retired 67,509 shares at an average price of $9.83 per share. Included in the 2012 amount was the repurchase of 25,000 shares of Common Stock from a former executive under the terms of a separation agreement. The shares were purchased at an average price of $9.88 per share based on the daily closing price of the Company's Common Stock on The NASDAQ Global Market less $0.03 per share. The total purchase price paid was approximately $247,000. The aggregate purchase price of the shares repurchased under the program has been reflected as a reduction in shareholders' equity.   There were no open-market repurchases in fiscal 2011.

Employee_Benefit_Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Employee Benefit Plans	'
	16	EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
	The Company has a 401(k) profit sharing plan which covers substantially all United States employees.  The Company matches 50% of employee contributions for a maximum match of 4% of each participating employee’s compensation.  The matching contributions were temporarily suspended in March 2009 and reinstated during fiscal 2010.  The Company contributed $632,000, $676,000, and $651,000 in matching funds to the plan for the years ended September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Reporting	'
	17	SEGMENT INFORMATION
	The Company’s business units serve customers in its primary market—the food processing and agricultural products industry—through common sales and distribution channels.  Therefore, the Company reports on one segment.  The following table summarizes information about products and services (in thousands).
			Year Ended September 30,
			2013		2012		2011
	Net sales by product category:
	Automated inspection systems		$	59,336	$	46,586	$	52,962
	Process systems		50,729		44,940		40,716
	Parts and service		26,718		23,648		22,650
	Total net sales by product category		$	136,783	$	115,174	$	116,328
	Net sales for service were less than 10% of total net sales for the years ended September 30, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively, and is therefore summarized with parts and service.  Upgrades of automated inspection systems are included with automated inspection systems.
	The following table summarizes certain information about geographic areas (in thousands):
			Year Ended September 30,
			2013		2012		2011
	Net sales:
	Domestic		$	75,423	$	63,831	$	68,986
	International		61,360		51,343		47,342
	Total net sales		$	136,783	$	115,174	$	116,328
	Long-lived assets:
	Domestic		$	17,812	$	19,387
	International		23,446		2,698
	Total long-lived assets		$	41,258	$	22,085
	There was one customer that accounted for greater than 10% of net sales during fiscal 2013 , 2012 and 2011. There was one additional customer that individually accounted for 10% of net sales during fiscal 2013.  No single country outside the United States accounted for more than 10% of net sales in 2013, 2012 or 2011.  Location of the customer is the basis for the categorization of net sales.

Contingencies_and_Commitments_

Contingencies and Commitments (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	18	CONTINGENCIES AND COMMITTMENTS
	On January 27, 2006, Belgian Electronics Sorting Technologies NV ("BEST") filed a complaint in the Court of First Instance in Antwerp, Belgium against our subsidiary Visys, acquired on February 28, 2013, alleging infringement of BEST's patent on a sorting apparatus with a laser detection system. BEST seeks injunctive relief, and damages and costs aggregating approximately €12,750,000. Visys has introduced certain counterclaims and commenced related proceedings in the Netherlands alleging the invalidity of the principal patent in question. In October 2012, the invalidity claim was partially granted by the Dutch court. Oral argument is now scheduled in the Belgian proceeding for February 2014, with a possible decision expected later in 2014.
	In addition, on August 17, 2007, BEST started entitlement proceedings in the Court of First Instance in Antwerp related to two patents of Visys which Visys does not currently use. This case is set for trial before the Court of Appeal of Antwerp in April 2014. On June 29, 2011, BEST commenced nearly identical entitlement proceedings in the Commercial Court of Antwerp regarding a U.S. patent of Visys that is part of the same patent family as is at issue in the entitlement proceeding set for trial in the Court of Appeal. The judge in the Commercial Court has stayed these proceedings until the decision of the Court of Appeal.
	Lastly, on April 30, 2008, BEST initiated proceedings against Visys for trademark infringement and unfair competition, which proceedings have been dismissed by the Court of Appeal of Antwerp. The Belgian Supreme Court confirmed this decision, except for two claims related to unfair trade practices concerning use of meta tags and a domain name. These issues were appealed and argued before the European Court of Justice in January 2013. The European Court of Justice decided the two technical legal issues before it in July 2013 and remanded the case back to the Belgian Supreme Court for further proceedings. We currently believe the financial consequences of the remaining claims are not material.
	As a result of our due diligence investigation in connection with the acquisition of Visys, we believe BEST's claims against Visys are without merit, and Visys intends to pursue its defenses in these proceedings.

Quarterly_Financial_Informatio

Quarterly Financial Information	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Quarterly Financial Information	'
	SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
	QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Unaudited)
	The following is a summary of operating results by quarter for the years ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands, except per share data):
	2013 Quarter Ended	31-Dec			31-Mar			30-Jun		30-Sep		Total
	Net sales	$	19,854		$	35,486		$	39,433	$	42,012	$	136,783
	Gross profit	6,484			12,813			13,302		13,447		46,044
	Net earnings (loss)	(874		)	2,146			1,444		1,295		4,011
	Net earnings (loss) per share - basic	$	(0.16	)	$	0.38		$	0.23	$	0.21	$	0.69
	Net earnings (loss) per share - diluted	$	(0.16	)	$	0.38		$	0.23	$	0.21	$	0.69
	2012 Quarter Ended	31-Dec			31-Mar			30-Jun		30-Sep		Total
	Net sales	$	25,972		$	27,249		$	34,620	$	27,334	$	115,174
	Gross profit	8,561			7,917			10,457		8,901		35,835
	Net earnings (loss)	(243		)	(726		)	264		1,154		449
	Net earnings (loss) per share - basic	$	(0.05	)	$	(0.13	)	$	0.05	$	0.22	$	0.08
	Net earnings (loss) per share - diluted	$	(0.05	)	$	(0.13	)	$	0.05	$	0.22	$	0.08
	Note:  Annual totals may not agree to the summarization of quarterly information due to insignificant rounding and the required calculation conventions

The_Company_and_Summary_of_Sig1

The Company and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies The Company And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Revenue Recognition	'
	Revenue Recognition—The Company recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been provided, the sale price is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured.  Additionally, the Company sells its goods on terms which transfer title and risk of loss at a specified location, typically shipping point, port of loading or port of discharge, depending on the final destination of the goods.  Accordingly, revenue recognition from product sales occurs when all criteria are met, including transfer of title and risk of loss, which occurs either upon shipment by the Company or upon receipt by customers at the location specified in the terms of sale.  Sales of system upgrades are recognized as revenue upon completion of the conversion of the customer’s existing system when this conversion occurs at the customer site.  Certain other, less frequent, equipment sales are recognized as revenue upon completion of installation at the customer site. Revenue earned from services (maintenance, installation support, and repairs) is recognized ratably over the contractual period or as the services are performed.  If any contract provides for both equipment and services (multiple deliverables), the sales price is allocated to the various elements based on the relative selling price.  Each element is then evaluated for revenue recognition based on the previously described criteria.  The Company typically has a very limited number of contracts with multiple deliverables and they are not material to the financial statements.  The Company’s sales arrangements provide for no other significant post-shipment obligations.  If all conditions of revenue recognition are not met, the Company defers revenue recognition.  In the event of revenue deferral, the sale value is not recorded as revenue to the Company, accounts receivable are reduced by any related amounts owed by the customer, and the cost of the goods or services deferred is carried in inventory.  In addition, the Company periodically evaluates whether an allowance for sales returns is necessary.  Historically, the Company has experienced few sales returns.  If the Company believes there are potential sales returns, the Company would provide any necessary provision against sales.  The Company accounts for cash consideration (such as sales incentives) that are given to customers or resellers as a reduction of revenue rather than as an operating expense unless an identified benefit is received for which fair value can be reasonably estimated.  Upon receipt of an order, the Company generally receives a deposit which is recorded as customers’ deposits.  The Company makes periodic evaluations of the creditworthiness of its customers and generally does not require collateral.  An allowance for credit losses is provided based upon historical experience and anticipated losses.  The Company records revenues net of any taxes, such as sales tax, which are passed through to the customer.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	'
	Cash and Cash Equivalents—The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of 90 days or less at date of acquisition to be cash equivalents.  Accounts at each institution regularly exceed Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance coverage.  The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts.
Inventories	'
	Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or market.
Property, Plant and Equipment	'
	Property, Plant and Equipment are recorded at cost and depreciated over estimated useful lives on the straight-line basis, and depreciation commences at the time assets are placed in service.  Leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of useful life or the term of the applicable lease using the straight-line method.  The range of useful lives for fixed assets is as follows:
		Years
	Buildings and improvements	7 to 40
	Manufacturing equipment	3 to 10
	Office equipment, furniture and fixtures	3 to 7
	Computer equipment and software	3 to 7
Goodwill and Other Intangibles	'
	Goodwill and Other Intangibles—The Company has only one reporting unit, and the estimated fair value of the Company approximates the market value of the Company.  The Company performed its annual assessment on July 31, 2013 and determined that there has been no impairment of goodwill due to the fair value of the reporting unit exceeding its carrying amount.  The fair value of the Company was calculated based on the market capitalization of the Company as of July 31, 2013.
	Other intangibles are amortized over the estimated useful lives of the related assets, which are between 3 to 16 years.  Management periodically evaluates the recoverability of other intangibles based upon current and anticipated results of operations and undiscounted future cash flows.
Product Warranties	'
	Product Warranties—The Company provides a warranty on its products ranging from 90 days to five years following the date of shipment, the majority of which are for periods of one year or less.  Management establishes allowances for warranty costs based upon the types of products shipped and product warranty experience.  The provision for warranty costs is charged to cost of sales at the time of sale, and it is periodically assessed for adequacy based on changes in these factors.
Research and Development	'
	Research and Development—Expenditures for research and development are expensed when incurred.
Foreign Currency Transactions	'
	Foreign Currency Translation—Assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency are translated to U.S. dollars at the exchange rate on the balance sheet date.  Translation adjustments are shown as part of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).  Revenues, costs, and expenses are translated using an average rate.  Realized and unrealized foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in the consolidated statement of operations.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets	'
	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets—The Company regularly reviews all of its long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment, and amortizable intangible assets, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.  If the total of future undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying amount of these assets, an impairment loss, if any, based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the assets, is recorded.
Estimates	'
	Estimates—The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Termination Costs	'
	Termination Costs—In fiscal 2012, the Company announced certain cost reduction initiatives. As a result, the Company incurred approximately $800,000 in costs related to the reduction in force, the majority of which relates to one-time termination benefits. In addition, the Company incurred approximately $500,000 of other employment separation charges during fiscal 2012. Approximately $1.0 million and $300,000 of these costs were expensed as operating expenses and costs of goods sold, respectively, in fiscal 2012.
Financial Instruments	'
	Financial Instruments—The carrying value of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued payroll liabilities and commissions, accrued customer support and warranty costs, and other accrued liabilities approximates their estimated fair values due to the short maturities of those instruments.
Derivative Financial Instruments	'
	Derivative Financial Instruments—The Company recognizes all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value.  The Company enters into such instruments only with financial institutions of good standing, and the total credit exposure related to non-performance by those institutions is not material to the operations of the Company.
Earnings Per Share	'
	Earnings Per Share—Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net earnings available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding for the period.  Diluted EPS is computed by dividing net earnings available to common shareholders by the weighted average common stock and common stock equivalent shares outstanding during each period using the treasury stock method for employee stock option plans, warrants and service-based stock awards.
Comprehensive Income (loss)	'
	Comprehensive Income (loss)—In fiscal 2012, the Company reclassified losses of $209,000 for accumulated currency translation adjustments from Other Comprehensive income to the results of operations in Other income (expense).This reclassification was related to an operational restructuring where the Company announced that it believed it could most effectively address the China market through its existing distributor and representative partnerships. Operations related to the China market would continue through these sales channels and internal sales functions in the United States. In fiscal 2012, as part of the implementation of this decision, the Company closed its small China sales office operating as a wholly-owned foreign subsidiary, Key Technology (Shanghai) Trading Co. Ltd., which resulted in the liquidation of the assets and liabilities of the foreign subsidiary.
Share-based Compensation	'
	Share-Based Compensation—The Company measures the cost of share-based payments based on the grant-date fair value of the award.  The cost is recognized as expense over the requisite service period required in exchange for the award.  No compensation cost is recognized for awards where the requisite service period is not completed.  For awards with a performance condition, compensation cost is only recognized if the performance condition is probable of being achieved.
Accounting for Income Taxes	'
	Accounting for Income Taxes—Deferred income taxes are provided for the effects of temporary differences arising from differences in the reporting of revenues and expenses for financial statement and for income tax purposes under the asset and liability method using currently enacted tax rates. The Company recognizes the financial statement benefit of a tax position only after determining that the relevant tax authority would more likely than not sustain the position following an audit. For tax positions meeting the more-likely-than-not threshold, the amount recognized in the financial statements is the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the relevant tax authority.
Reclassifications	'
	Reclassifications—Certain reclassifications, which were not material to the financial statements, have been made to prior year amounts to conform to the current year presentation.

The_Company_and_Summary_of_Sig2

The Company and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Estimated Useful Life	'
	The range of useful lives for fixed assets is as follows:
		Years
	Buildings and improvements	7 to 40
	Manufacturing equipment	3 to 10
	Office equipment, furniture and fixtures	3 to 7
	Computer equipment and software	3 to 7
Reconciliation of changes in Company's allowances for warranties	'
	A reconciliation of the changes in the Company’s allowances for warranties is as follows (in thousands):
			2013				2012
	Beginning Balance		$	2,030			$	2,423
	Warranty costs incurred		(4,194		)		(3,639		)
	Warranty expense accrued		4,741				3,276
	Balance acquired in acquisition		107				—
	Translation adjustments		52				(30		)
	Ending balance		$	2,736			$	2,030
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted	'
	The calculation of the basic and diluted EPS from continuing operations is as follows (in thousands except per share data):
			For the year ended September 30, 2013
			Earnings				Shares			Per-Share Amount
	Basic EPS:
	Net earnings available to common shareholders		$	4,011			5,836			$	0.69
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Common stock options		—				5
	Warrants						14
	Diluted EPS:
	Net earnings available to common shareholders plus assumed conversions		$	4,011			5,855			$	0.69
			For the year ended September 30, 2012
			Earnings				Shares			Per-Share Amount
	Basic EPS:
	Net earnings available to common shareholders		$	449			5,390			$	0.08
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Common stock options		—				9
	Diluted EPS:
	Net earnings available to common shareholders plus assumed conversions		$	449			5,399			$	0.08
			For the year ended September 30, 2011
			Earnings				Shares			Per-Share Amount
	Basic EPS:
	Net earnings available to common shareholders		$	1,454			5,311			$	0.27
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Common stock options		—				18
	Diluted EPS:
	Net earnings available to common shareholders plus assumed conversions		$	1,454			5,329			$	0.27
Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share	'
	The following potential common shares were not included in the calculation of diluted EPS as they were anti-dilutive:
			For the year ended September 30,
			2013			2012			2011
	Common shares from:
	Assumed exercise of stock options		10,000			10,000			—
	Warrants		—			—			—

Acquisition_Tables

Acquisition (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Consideration for Acquisition	'
	Consideration for the acquisition consisted of the following (at fair value):
		Amount
		(in thousands)
	Cash	$	13,200
	Common shares of the Company issued (600,000 shares)	7,326
	Warrants issued (250,000)	728
	Total	$	21,254
Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	'
	The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date.
		Amount
		(in thousands)
	Cash	$	1,593
	Accounts receivable	668
	Inventory	8,250
	Property and equipment	299
	Other assets	848
	Intangible assets (identifiable)	11,400
	Current liabilities, including current portion of long term debt	(5,609		)
	Long term debt	(1,372		)
	Deferred taxes	(3,794		)
	Total identifiable net assets	12,283
	Goodwill	8,971
		$	21,254
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets Acquired as Part of Business Combination	'
	Identified intangible assets acquired includes:
		Amount			Average Life
		(in thousands)			(Years)
	Developed technology	$	5,000		8
	Patents	3,300			16
	Non-compete agreements	1,600			3
	Trade name	1,000			8
	Customer relationships	500			4
		$	11,400
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information	'
	The following consolidated pro forma information is based on the assumption that the acquisition occurred on October 1, 2011 (in thousands except per share data).
		Year Ended September 30,
		2013			2012
	Net sales	$	141,549		$	124,342
	Net earnings (loss)	$	4,685		$	(1,170	)
	Pro forma net earnings (loss) per share	$	0.77		$	(0.20	)
	Pro forma weighted average shares outstanding	6,185			5,999

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_1

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class	'
	As of September 30, 2013, the Company had the following intangible assets (in thousands):
			Cost		Net Book Value		Amortization Life (Years)
	Patents and developed technologies		$	18,985	$	8,244	3 to 16
	Trademarks and trade names		1,036		960		8
	Customer relationships		518		442		4
	Non-compete agreements		1,649		1,336		3
			$	22,188	$	10,982
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense	'
	Amortization expense for the next five fiscal years is expected to be approximately:
	Year Ended September 30,	(In thousands)
	2014	$	1,741
	2015	1,733
	2016	1,369
	2017	1,044
	2018	991
	Thereafter	4,104
	Total	$	10,982

Trade_Accounts_Receivable_Tabl

Trade Accounts Receivable (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Receivables [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable	'
	Trade accounts receivable consist of the following (in thousands):
		September 30,
		2013			2012
	Trade accounts receivable	$	18,021		$	11,616
	Allowance for doubtful accounts	(296		)	(190		)
	Total trade accounts receivable, net	$	17,725		$	11,426

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Inventory	'
	Inventories consist of the following (in thousands):
		September 30,
		2013		2012
	Purchased components and raw materials	$	10,657	$	8,659
	Work-in-process and sub-assemblies	7,802		8,656
	Finished goods	9,462		5,851
	Total inventories	$	27,921	$	23,166

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_T

Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment	'
	Property, plant and equipment consist of the following (in thousands):
		September 30,
		2013			2012
	Land and land improvements	$	2,571		$	2,555
	Buildings and improvements	9,161			8,721
	Manufacturing equipment	12,969			12,580
	Computer equipment and software	18,299			16,440
	Office equipment, furniture and fixtures	2,475			2,272
	Construction in progress	40			561
		45,515			43,129
	Accumulated depreciation	(28,256		)	(24,759		)
	Total property, plant and equipment, net	$	17,259		$	18,370

Financing_Agreements_Tables

Financing Agreements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Principal payments on long-term debt	'
	Principal payments on long-term debt are as follows:
	Year Ended September 30,	(In thousands)
	2014	$	871
	2015	832
	2016	820
	2017	712
	2018	486
	Thereafter	2,762
	Total	$	6,483

Fair_value_measurements_Tables

Fair value measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Company's assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis	'
	The following table presents the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis consistent with the fair value hierarchy provisions.
		Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2013,
		(in thousands)
	Description	Level 1	Level 2			Level 3	Total Assets/Liabilities at Fair Value
	Derivatives:
	Interest rate swap	—	$	(247	)	—	$	(247	)
	Forward exchange contracts	—	—			—	—

Leases_Tables

Leases (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Leases [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases	'
	The following is a schedule of future minimum rental payments required under operating leases and future rental expense (in thousands):
	Year Ending September 30,	Rental Payments		Rental Expense
	2014	$	1,162	$	1,176
	2015	791		802
	2016	448		456
	2017	286		290
	2018	283		283
	Thereafter	1,000		952
	Total	$	3,970	$	3,959

Income_taxes_Tables

Income taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Provision For Income Taxes	'
	The provision for income taxes from continuing operations consists of the following (in thousands):
			Year Ended Year Ended September 30,
			2013				2012				2011
	Current:
	Federal		$	4,381			$	255			$	(1,271	)
	Foreign		14				10				57
	State		387				35				(30		)
			4,782				300				(1,244		)
	Deferred:
	Federal		(2,180		)		(101		)		2,758
	Foreign		(1,092		)		(48		)		(1,060		)
	State		(110		)		(11		)		58
			(3,382		)		(160		)		1,756
	Valuation reserves:
	Federal		137				(1,749		)		(177		)
	Foreign		(135		)		1,754				161
	State		—				—				(1		)
			2				5				(17		)
	Total income tax expense		$	1,402			$	145			$	495
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities	'
	The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are as follows (in thousands):
			September 30,
			2013				2012
	Deferred tax asset:
	Reserves and accruals		$	4,807			$	2,836
	Tax benefits of share-based payments		704				754
	NOL and other carry forwards		878				88
	Unrealized changes in value of derivatives to equity		84				34
	Deferred tax liability:
	Accumulated depreciation		(1,437		)		(2,037		)
	Intangible assets		(4,025		)		(253		)
	Translation adjustment to equity		(443		)		(2		)
	Net deferred tax asset		$	568			$	1,420
	Net deferred tax:
	Current asset		$	5,034			$	2,854
	Long-term asset		760				—
	Long-term liability		(5,226		)		(1,434		)
	Net deferred tax asset		$	568			$	1,420
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation	'
	The reconciliation between effective and statutory rates is as follows:
			Year Ended September 30,
			2013			2012			2011
	Statutory rates		34	%		34	%		34	%
	Increase (reduction) in income taxes resulting from:
	Domestic production deduction		(6.5	)%		(7.5	)%		—	%
	Research and development credit		(6.2	)%		(13.3	)%		(12.6	)%
	Changes in tax law, R&D credit		(3.5	)%		—	%		(3.7	)%
	State income taxes, net of federal benefit		3.4	%		2.7	%		0.9	%
	Rate differential, surtax on taxable income levels		0.8	%		—	%		—	%
	Differences in foreign rates		0.1	%		—	%		—	%
	Non-deductible acquisition costs		2.5	%		—	%		—	%
	Tax exempt interest		—	%		—	%		(0.1	)%
	Valuation reserve-capital losses		—	%		(0.7	)%		(0.8	)%
	Valuation reserve-Proditec		—	%		1.5	%		—	%
	Meals and entertainment deduction limitation		1.2	%		9.6	%		3.6	%
	Non-deductible stock compensation		0.1	%		0.8	%		0.3	%
	Loss of permanent deductions due to NOL carryback		—	%		—	%		3.8	%
	Other permanent differences		—	%		(2.7	)%		—	%
	Income tax combined effective rate		25.9	%		24.4	%		25.4	%
Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefits Roll Forward	'
	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):
	Balance at October 1, 2012	$	72
	Additions based on tax positions related to the current period	57
	Additions for tax positions of prior period	—
	Reductions for tax positions of prior periods	(3		)
	Settlements	—
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	126

Sharebased_compensation_Tables

Share-based compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Share-based compensation expense included in the Company's results	'
	Share-based compensation costs charged against income are as follows (in thousands):
		Year Ended September 30,
		2013		2012		2011
	Cost of goods sold	$200		$126		$108
	Operating expenses	1,076		1,056		1,299
	Total share-based compensation expense	1,276		1,182		1,407
	Income tax benefit	455		420		500
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity	'
	A summary of option activity under the Incentive Plan as of September 30, 2013 and the year then ended is presented below:
	Options	Number of Shares			Weighted-Average Exercise Price		Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term	Aggregate Intrinsic Value ($000)
	Outstanding at October 1, 2012	35,000			$	10.41	—	—
	Granted	—			—		—	—
	Exercised	(10,000	)		$	5.62	—	—
	Forfeited or expired	—			—		—	—
	Outstanding at September 30, 2013	25,000			$	12.32	0.85	$	55
	Exercisable at September 30, 2013	25,000			$	12.32	0.85	$	55
Schedule Of Share Based Compensation Service Based Stock Awards Activity	'
	The summary of activity for service-based stock awards as of September 30, 2013, and changes during the year then ended, is presented below:
	Service-Based Stock Awards	Number of Shares			Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share
	Non-vested balance at October 1, 2012	186,497			$	13.92
	Granted	178,163			$	11.65
	Vested	(103,565	)		$	12.76
	Forfeited	(8,860	)		$	11.84
	Non-vested and expected to vest balance at September 30, 2013	252,235			$	12.86
Schedule Of Share Based Compensation Performance Based Stock Awards Activity	'
	A summary of the activity for performance-based stock awards as of September 30, 2013, and changes during the year then ended, is presented below:
	Performance-Based Stock Awards	Number of Shares			Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share
	Non-vested balance at October 1, 2012	76,622			$	13
	Granted	103,026			$	14.67
	Vested	—			$	—
	Forfeited	(4,602	)		$	14.67
	Non-vested balance at September 30, 2013	175,046			$	13.94

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services	'
	The following table summarizes information about products and services (in thousands).
		Year Ended September 30,
		2013		2012		2011
	Net sales by product category:
	Automated inspection systems	$	59,336	$	46,586	$	52,962
	Process systems	50,729		44,940		40,716
	Parts and service	26,718		23,648		22,650
	Total net sales by product category	$	136,783	$	115,174	$	116,328
Schedule of Revenue from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets, by Geographical Areas	'
	The following table summarizes certain information about geographic areas (in thousands):
		Year Ended September 30,
		2013		2012		2011
	Net sales:
	Domestic	$	75,423	$	63,831	$	68,986
	International	61,360		51,343		47,342
	Total net sales	$	136,783	$	115,174	$	116,328
	Long-lived assets:
	Domestic	$	17,812	$	19,387
	International	23,446		2,698
	Total long-lived assets	$	41,258	$	22,085

Quarterly_Financial_Informatio1

Quarterly Financial Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information	'
	The following is a summary of operating results by quarter for the years ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands, except per share data):
	2013 Quarter Ended	31-Dec			31-Mar			30-Jun		30-Sep		Total
	Net sales	$	19,854		$	35,486		$	39,433	$	42,012	$	136,783
	Gross profit	6,484			12,813			13,302		13,447		46,044
	Net earnings (loss)	(874		)	2,146			1,444		1,295		4,011
	Net earnings (loss) per share - basic	$	(0.16	)	$	0.38		$	0.23	$	0.21	$	0.69
	Net earnings (loss) per share - diluted	$	(0.16	)	$	0.38		$	0.23	$	0.21	$	0.69
	2012 Quarter Ended	31-Dec			31-Mar			30-Jun		30-Sep		Total
	Net sales	$	25,972		$	27,249		$	34,620	$	27,334	$	115,174
	Gross profit	8,561			7,917			10,457		8,901		35,835
	Net earnings (loss)	(243		)	(726		)	264		1,154		449
	Net earnings (loss) per share - basic	$	(0.05	)	$	(0.13	)	$	0.05	$	0.22	$	0.08
	Net earnings (loss) per share - diluted	$	(0.05	)	$	(0.13	)	$	0.05	$	0.22	$	0.08

The_Company_and_Summary_of_Sig3

The Company and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
	reportable_unit
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of Reportable Segments	1	'	'
Reclassification adjustment for foreign currency translation included in net earnings	$0	$209	$0
Minimum	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Finite-lived intangible asset, useful life	'3 years	'	'
Product Warranty Accrual, Period of Warranty	'90 days	'	'
Maximum	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Finite-lived intangible asset, useful life	'16 years	'	'
Product Warranty Accrual, Period of Warranty	'5 years	'	'
Product Warranty Accrual, Majority Period of Warranty	'1 year	'	'
Buildings and improvements | Minimum	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'7 years	'	'
Buildings and improvements | Maximum	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'40 years	'	'
Manufacturing equipment | Minimum	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'3 years	'	'
Manufacturing equipment | Maximum	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'10 years	'	'
Office equipment, furniture and fixtures | Minimum	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'3 years	'	'
Office equipment, furniture and fixtures | Maximum	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'7 years	'	'
Computer equipment and software | Minimum	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'3 years	'	'
Computer equipment and software | Maximum	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'7 years	'	'

The_Company_and_Summary_of_Sig4

The Company and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Warranty Allowance (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Reconciliation of changes in Company's allowances for warranties [Roll Forward]	'	'
Beginning Balance	$2,030	$2,423
Warranty costs incurred	-4,194	-3,639
Warranty expense accrued	4,741	3,276
Balance acquired in acquisition	107	0
Translation adjustments	52	-30
Ending balance	$2,736	$2,030

Recovered_Sheet1

THE COMPANY AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES One (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Statement [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Amortization of Intangible Assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$996	$15	$15
Operating Expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	40,213	34,867	35,310
Basic EPS:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net earnings (loss)	1,295	1,444	2,146	-874	1,154	264	-726	-243	4,011	449	1,454
Shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	5,836	5,390	5,311
Per-Share Amount	$0.21	$0.23	$0.38	($0.16)	$0.22	$0.05	($0.13)	($0.05)	$0.69	$0.08	$0.27
Effect of dilutive securities:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Loss	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	0
Common stock options	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	5	9	18
Incremental common shares attributable to warrants	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	14	'	'
Diluted EPS:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net earnings (loss)	1,295	1,444	2,146	-874	1,154	264	-726	-243	4,011	449	1,454
Shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	5,855	5,399	5,329
Per-Share Amount	$0.21	$0.23	$0.38	($0.16)	$0.22	$0.05	($0.13)	($0.05)	$0.69	$0.08	$0.27
One-time Termination Benefits	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Statement [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Charges	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	800	'
Operating Expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,000	'	'
Cost of Goods Sold	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	300	'	'
Other Restructuring	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Statement [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Other Restructuring Costs	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$500	'	'
Stock options	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Statement [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	10,000	10,000	0

Acquisition_Fair_Value_of_Cons

Acquisition (Fair Value of Consideration) (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2013
Visys N.V.	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Cash	$13,200
Common shares of the Company issued (600,000 shares)	7,326
Warrants issued (250,000)	728
Total	$21,254
Common stock | Visys N.V.	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Issuance of Warrants for Acquisition - Number of Warrants	600,000
Warrant	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Issuance of Warrants for Acquisition - Number of Warrants	250,000
Warrant | Visys N.V.	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Issuance of Warrants for Acquisition - Number of Warrants	250,000

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified			Patents and developed technologies	Trademarks and trade names	Customer relationships	Non-compete agreements	Minimum	Minimum	Maximum	Maximum
								Patents and developed technologies		Patents and developed technologies
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Cost	$22,188	'	$18,985	$1,036	$518	$1,649	'	'	'	'
2014	1,741	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
2015	1,733	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
2016	1,369	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
2017	1,044	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
2018	991	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Thereafter	4,104	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net book value	10,982	'	8,244	960	442	1,336	'	'	'	'
Finite-lived intangible asset, useful life	'	'	'	'8 years	'4 years	'3 years	'3 years	'3 years	'16 years	'16 years
Goodwill	$11,821	$2,524	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'

Acquisition_Fair_Value_of_Asse

Acquisition (Fair Value of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Feb. 28, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified			Visys N.V.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'
Cash	'	'	$1,593
Accounts receivable	'	'	668
Inventory	'	'	8,250
Property and equipment	'	'	299
Other assets	'	'	848
Intangible assets (identifiable)	'	'	11,400
Current liabilities, including current portion of long term debt	'	'	-5,609
Long term debt	'	'	-1,372
Deferred taxes	'	'	-3,794
Total identifiable net assets	'	'	12,283
Goodwill	11,821	2,524	8,971
Total	'	'	$21,254

Acquisition_Identified_Intangi

Acquisition Identified Intangible Assets Acquired (Details) (Visys N.V., USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2013
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Intangible assets (identifiable)	$11,400
Average life	'9 years 5 months
Patents and developed technologies	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Intangible assets (identifiable)	5,000
Average life	'8 years
Patents	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Intangible assets (identifiable)	3,300
Average life	'16 years
Non-compete agreements	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Intangible assets (identifiable)	1,600
Average life	'3 years
Trademarks and trade names	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Intangible assets (identifiable)	1,000
Average life	'8 years
Customer relationships	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Intangible assets (identifiable)	$500
Average life	'4 years

Business_Acquisition_Pro_Forma

Business Acquisition (Pro Forma) (Details) (Visys N.V., USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Visys N.V.	'	'
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information, Nonrecurring Adjustment [Line Items]	'	'
Net sales	$141,549	$124,342
Net earnings (loss)	$4,685	($1,170)
Pro forma net earnings (loss) per share	$0.77	($0.20)
Pro forma weighted average shares outstanding	6,185	5,999

Acquisition_Textual_Details

Acquisition (Textual) (Details) (Visys N.V.)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013
	USD ($)	USD ($)	EUR (€)	Fair Value Adjustment to Inventory
				USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Expected volatility rate	34.00%	'	'	'
Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate	0.36%	'	'	'
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights	11.78	'	'	'
Goodwill acquired during period	$9,000,000	'	'	'
Acquired receivables, fair value	668,000	'	'	'
Acquired receivables, gross contractual amount	790,000	'	'	'
Debt assumed	1,900,000	'	'	'
Inventory acquired	'	'	'	1,800,000
Intangible assets (identifiable)	11,400,000	'	'	'
Average life	'9 years 5 months	'	'	'
Revenue of acquiree since acquisition date	'	5,000,000	'	'
Earnings or loss of acquiree since acquisition date	'	-2,200,000	'	'
Acquisition related costs	'	785,000	'	'
Non-recurring expenses related to the adjustment of inventory	'	883,000	'	'
Acquisition costs associated with issuance of common stock and warrants	'	188,000	'	'
Cumulative amount of claims in excess	'	'	€ 12,750,000	'

Trade_Accounts_Receivable_Deta

Trade Accounts Receivable (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Receivables [Abstract]	'	'	'
Trade accounts receivable	$18,021	$11,616	'
Allowance for doubtful accounts	-296	-190	'
Total trade accounts receivable, net	17,725	11,426	'
Provision for doubtful accounts	2	24	-126
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable, charge-offs	$26	$84	$65

Inventories_Details

Inventories (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Purchased components and raw materials	$10,657,000	$8,659,000	'
Work-in-process and sub-assemblies	7,802,000	8,656,000	'
Finished goods	9,462,000	5,851,000	'
Total inventories	27,921,000	23,166,000	'
Cumulative inventory adjustments	3,500,000	2,600,000	'
Inventory write-down	1,700,000	1,600,000	1,300,000
Charges to cumulative inventory adjustments	$900,000	$800,000	$1,100,000

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_D

Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$45,515,000	$43,129,000	'
Accumulated depreciation	-28,256,000	-24,759,000	'
Total property, plant and equipment, net	17,259,000	18,370,000	'
Depreciation	3,900,000	3,600,000	2,900,000
Land and land improvements	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	2,571,000	2,555,000	'
Buildings and improvements	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	9,161,000	8,721,000	'
Manufacturing equipment	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	12,969,000	12,580,000	'
Computer equipment and software	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	18,299,000	16,440,000	'
Office equipment, furniture and fixtures	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	2,475,000	2,272,000	'
Construction in progress	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$40,000	$561,000	'

Investment_in_Proditec_Details

Investment in Proditec (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2009
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]	'	'	'
Cost method investments	$1,148,000	$1,153,000	'
Proditec SAS	'	'	'
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]	'	'	'
Noncontrolling interest, ownership percentage by parent	'	'	15.00%
Business acquisition, cost of acquired entity, purchase price	'	'	1,500,000
Proceeds from dividends received	6,000	25,000	'
Cost method investments	$1,100,000	'	'

Financing_Agreements_Details

Financing Agreements (Details)

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

USD ($)

Interest rate swap

Term loan

Revolving Credit Facility

Revolving credit facility term loan

Domestic credit facility

Domestic credit facility

Domestic credit facility

Domestic credit facility

Commercial bank in the Netherlands

Commercial bank in the Netherlands

Commercial bank in the Netherlands

Commercial bank in the Netherlands

Commercial bank in the Netherlands

Commercial bank in the Netherlands

Commercial bank in the Netherlands

Commercial bank in the Netherlands

Commercial bank in the Netherlands

Commercial bank in the Netherlands

Commercial bank in Belgium

Commercial bank in Belgium

Commercial bank in Belgium

Commercial bank in Belgium

Commercial bank in Belgium

Commercial bank in Belgium

Commercial bank in Belgium

Commercial bank in Belgium

European Lender

European Lender

Maximum

Minimum

Prime Rate

Prime Rate

Prime Rate

Prime Rate

LIBOR

LIBOR

LIBOR

LIBOR

USD ($)

USD ($)

Revolving Credit Facility

Credit sub-facility standby letters of credit

Credit sub-facility standby letters of credit

USD ($)

EUR (€)

Credit sub-facility standby letters of credit

Credit sub-facility standby letters of credit

Line of Credit

Line of Credit

Outstanding performance guarantees

Outstanding performance guarantees

Outstanding performance guarantees

Outstanding performance guarantees

USD ($)

EUR (€)

Line of Credit

Line of Credit

Outstanding performance guarantees

Outstanding performance guarantees

Commercial Loan

Commercial Loan

USD ($)

EUR (€)

Commercial bank in Belgium

Commercial bank in Belgium

Domestic credit facility

Commercial bank in the Netherlands

Commercial bank in Belgium

Minimum

Revolving credit facility term loan

Domestic credit facility

Maximum

Minimum

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

Line of Credit

Line of Credit

Revolving Credit Facility

Line of Credit

Line of Credit

Commercial bank in the Netherlands

Revolving Credit Facility

Domestic credit facility

Domestic credit facility

Line of Credit

Revolving Credit Facility

Revolving Credit Facility

Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum borrowing capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

$15,000,000

$6,000,000

'

$2,400,000

€ 1,750,000

$4,100,000

€ 3,000,000

$338,000

€ 250,000

$2,000,000

€ 1,500,000

'

'

$3,700,000

€ 2,700,000

$1,100,000

€ 800,000

$700,000

€ 500,000

$1,900,000

€ 1,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maturity date

'

'

'

30-Sep-14

2-Jan-24

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument, description of variable rate basis

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'prime

'

'

'

'

'LIBOR

'

'

Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.25%

-1.75%

-1.25%

'

-1.40%

'

-1.75%

-1.50%

Interest rate (in hundredths)

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.68%

'

'

'

'

'

'

5.95%

5.95%

'

'

'

'

'

'

9.75%

9.75%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Outstanding at the end of the period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

548,000

250,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

679,000

502,000

196,000

152,000

'

'

1,500,000

1,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Term on debt

'

'

'15 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loan amount

'

'

6,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Balance due on term loan

'

'

4,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed interest rate (in hundredths)

'

4.27%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of credit facility, interest rate during period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3.00%

'

'

'

'

2014

'

'

'

'

'

871,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2015

'

'

'

'

'

832,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2016

'

'

'

'

'

820,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2017

'

'

'

'

'

712,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2018

'

'

'

'

'

486,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Thereafter

'

'

'

'

'

2,762,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total

6,500,000

'

'

'

'

6,483,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4.99%

4.99%

3.98%

2.91%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Subordinated Debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$176,000

€ 130,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative_instruments_Details

Derivative instruments (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013
	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	Interest rate swap	Forward exchange contracts	Forward exchange contracts	Forward exchange contracts	Other Liabilities, Noncurrent
				USD ($)	USD ($)	EUR (€)	USD ($)	Interest rate swap
								USD ($)
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Long-term Debt	$6,500,000	'	'	$4,800,000	'	'	'	'
Variable interest rate on the derivative (in hundredths)	'	'	'	4.27%	'	'	'	'
Fair value of the net derivative liability	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	247,000
Gain (Loss) on net derivative	'	'	'	254,000	-180,000	'	'	'
Interest expense	277,000	264,000	261,000	135,000	'	'	'	'
Derivative amount	'	'	'	'	2,700,000	2,000,000	'	'
Fair value of the derivative asset, net	'	'	'	'	$46,000	'	$252,000	'

Fair_value_measurements_Detail

Fair value measurements (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'
Long-term debt	$6,500,000
Level 1 | Interest rate swap	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'
Derivatives	0
Level 1 | Forward exchange contracts	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'
Derivatives	0
Level 2 | Interest rate swap	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'
Derivatives	-247,000
Level 2 | Forward exchange contracts	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'
Derivatives	0
Level 3 | Interest rate swap	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'
Derivatives	0
Level 3 | Forward exchange contracts	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'
Derivatives	0
Total Assets/Liabilities at Fair Value | Interest rate swap	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'
Derivatives	-247,000
Total Assets/Liabilities at Fair Value | Forward exchange contracts	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'
Derivatives	0
Interest rate swap	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'
Long-term debt	4,800,000
Proditec SAS	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'
Equity Method Investments	$1,100,000

Leases_Details

Leases (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Operating Leases, Rent Expense, Net	$1,300,000	$1,200,000	$1,200,000
2014	1,162,000	'	'
2015	791,000	'	'
2016	448,000	'	'
2017	286,000	'	'
2018	283,000	'	'
Thereafter	1,000,000	'	'
Total	3,970,000	'	'
2014	1,176,000	'	'
2015	802,000	'	'
2016	456,000	'	'
2017	290,000	'	'
2018	283,000	'	'
Thereafter	952,000	'	'
Total	3,959,000	'	'
Property Lease in Washington	'	'	'
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Lease Renewal Period	'5 years	'	'
Property lease in Oregon	'	'	'
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number Of Renewal Periods Options	2	'	'
Lease Renewal Period	'5 years	'	'
Property Lease in The Netherlands	'	'	'
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Lease Renewal Period	'1 year	'	'
Property Lease in Belgium	'	'	'
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Lease Renewal Period	'3 years	'	'
Maximum | Property Lease in Washington	'	'	'
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Option To Purchase Facility	1,500,000	'	'
Minimum | Property Lease in Washington	'	'	'
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Option To Purchase Facility	$1,400,000	'	'

Contractual_guarantees_and_ind1

Contractual guarantees and indemnities (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Financial Standby Letter of Credit	'
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]	'
Guarantees	$1,200
Outstanding performance guarantees | Domestic credit facility	'
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]	'
Guarantees	548
Outstanding performance guarantees | Subsidiaries	'
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]	'
Guarantees	$679

Income_taxes_Provision_For_Inc

Income taxes (Provision For Income Taxes) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Current	'	'	'
Federal	$4,381	$255	($1,271)
Foreign	14	10	57
State	387	35	-30
Total	4,782	300	-1,244
Deferred	'	'	'
Federal	-2,180	-101	2,758
Foreign	-1,092	-48	-1,060
State	-110	-11	58
Total	-3,382	-160	1,756
Valuation reserves	'	'	'
Federal	137	-1,749	-177
Foreign	-135	1,754	161
State	0	0	-1
Total	2	5	-17
Total income tax expense	$1,402	$145	$495

Income_taxes_Components_Of_Inc

Income taxes (Components Of Income Tax Expense) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred tax asset:	'	'
Reserves and accruals	$4,807	$2,836
Tax benefits of share-based payments	704	754
NOL and other carry forwards	878	88
Unrealized changes in value of derivatives to equity	84	34
Deferred tax liability:	'	'
Accumulated depreciation	-1,437	-2,037
Intangible assets	-4,025	-253
Translation adjustment to equity	-443	-2
Net deferred tax asset	568	1,420
Net deferred tax:	'	'
Current asset	5,034	2,854
Long-term asset	760	0
Long-term liability	($5,226)	($1,434)

Income_taxes_Reconciliation_Of

Income taxes (Reconciliation Of Statutory Income Tax Rate) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Statutory rates	34.00%	34.00%	34.00%
Domestic production deduction	-6.50%	-7.50%	0.00%
Research and development credit	-6.20%	-13.30%	-12.60%
Changes in tax law, R&D credit	-3.50%	0.00%	-3.70%
State income taxes, net of federal benefit	3.40%	2.70%	0.90%
Rate differential, surtax on taxable income levels	0.80%	0.00%	0.00%
Differences in foreign rates	0.10%	0.00%	0.00%
Non-deductible acquisition costs	2.50%	0.00%	0.00%
Tax exempt interest	0.00%	0.00%	-0.10%
Valuation reserve-capital losses	0.00%	-0.70%	-0.80%
Valuation reserve-Proditec	0.00%	1.50%	0.00%
Meals and entertainment deduction limitation	1.20%	9.60%	3.60%
Non-deductible stock compensation	0.10%	0.80%	0.30%
Loss of permanent deductions due to NOL carryback	0.00%	0.00%	3.80%
Other permanent differences	0.00%	-2.70%	0.00%
Income tax combined effective rate	25.90%	24.40%	25.40%

Income_taxes_Unrecognized_Tax_

Income taxes (Unrecognized Tax Benefit) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]	'
Balance at October 1, 2012	$72
Additions based on tax positions related to the current period	57
Additions for tax positions of prior period	0
Reductions for tax positions of prior periods	-3
Settlements	0
Balance at September 30, 2013	$126

Income_taxes_Textual_Details

Income taxes (Textual) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Valuation allowance, deferred tax asset, change in amount	($2)	($5)	$17
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate	126	'	'
Unrecognized tax benefits, income tax penalties and interest accrued	42	28	'
Proditec SAS	'	'	'
Deferred tax assets, valuation allowance	180	'	'
European Tax Asset	'	'	'
Valuation allowance, deferred tax asset, change in amount	135	-2,500	'
Chinese Deferred Tax Asset	'	'	'
Valuation allowance, deferred tax asset, change in amount	'	-700	'
Foreign Tax Authority	'	'	'
Deferred tax assets, valuation allowance	'	'	160
Research Tax Credit Carryforward	'	'	'
Tax credit carryforward, amount	192	'	'
Tax Credit Carryforward Additional Amount	'	'	72
Visys N.V.	'	'	'
Valuation allowance, deferred tax asset, change in amount	($3)	'	'

Sharebased_compensation_Detail

Share-based compensation (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
	Plans
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share Based Compensation Number Of Plans	3	'	'
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$1	$1	$1
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	1,402	145	495
Share-based compensation expense remaining capitalized in inventory	21	11	12
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	2,000	'	'
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options, Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Number	5,304	'	'
Cost of goods sold	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	0	0	0
Operating expenses	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	1	1	1
Stock Compensation Plan	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	0	0	1
Service-based Stock Awards	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	1,900	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	'2 years 1 month 2 days	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period	178,163	95,805	53,470
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Total Fair Value	1,500	900	1,600
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$11.65	$13.06	$17.89
Performance-Based Stock Awards	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	78	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	'1 year 6 months 18 days	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Requisite Service Period	'3 years	'3 years	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period	103,026	92,910	60,212
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Total Fair Value	'	'	245
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$14.67	$11.20	$17.37
Employee Stock Purchase Plan	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Cash Received from Exercise of Stock Options	95	94	147
Incentive Stock Options	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	'0 years 10 months 6 days	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Total Intrinsic Value	66	108	44
Non Employee Service Based Stock Awards	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit Realized from Exercise of Stock Options	$453	$392	$642
Employees Stock Incentive Plan	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized	672,474	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant	220,193	'	'
Employee Stock Purchase Plan	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized	500,000	'	'
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Maximum Employee Stock Ownership	5.00%	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Maximum Employee Subscription Rate	5.00%	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Purchase Price of Common Stock, Percent	85.00%	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Outstanding, Number	357,769	'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans	6,257	8,417	8,269
SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardPurchasePriceOfCommonStockPercentDiscount	15.00%	'	'
Minimum | Service-based Stock Awards	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Requisite Service Period	'2 years	'	'
Maximum | Service-based Stock Awards	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Requisite Service Period	'3 years	'	'
Maximum | Employees Stock Incentive Plan | Stock options	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	'10 years	'	'
Executive | Maximum | Service-based Stock Awards	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Requisite Service Period	'3 years	'	'
Board of Directors Chairman | Maximum | Service-based Stock Awards	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Requisite Service Period	'1 year	'	'
Shares Vest In One Year | Service-based Stock Awards	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period	49,294	'	'
Shares Vest In Two Years | Service-based Stock Awards	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period	32,873	'	'
Shares Vest In Three Years | Service-based Stock Awards	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period	95,996	'	'

Sharebased_compensation_Incent

Share-based compensation (Incentive Awards) (Details) (Incentive Stock Options, USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Incentive Stock Options	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]	'
Outstanding at October 1, 2012, Number of Shares	35,000
Granted, Number of Shares	0
Exercised, Number of Shares	-10,000
Forfeited or expired, Number of Shares	0
Outstanding at September 30, 2013, Number of Shares	25,000
Outstanding at October 1, 2012, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$10.41
Granted, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$0
Exercised, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$5.62
Forfeited or expired, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$0
Outstanding at September 30, 2013, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$12.32
Outstanding at September 30, 2013, Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term	'0 years 10 months 6 days
Outstanding at September 30, 2013, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$0
Exercisable at September 30, 2013, Number of Shares	25,000
Exercisable at September 30, 2013, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$12.32
Exercisable at September 30, 2013, Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term	'0 years 10 months 6 days
Exercisable at September 30, 2013, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$0

Sharebased_compensation_Servic

Share-based compensation (Service-Based Stock Awards) (Details) (Service-based Stock Awards, USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Service-based Stock Awards	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Non-vested balance at October 1, 2012, Number of Shares	186,497	'	'
Granted, Number of Shares	178,163	95,805	53,470
Vested, Number of Shares	-103,565	'	'
Forfeited, Number of Shares	-8,860	'	'
Non-vested and expected to vest balance at September 30, 2013, Number of Shares	252,235	186,497	'
Non-vested balance at October 1, 2012, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share	$13.92	'	'
Granted, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share	$11.65	$13.06	$17.89
Vested, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share	$12.76	'	'
Forfeited, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share	$11.84	'	'
Non-vested balance at September 30, 2013, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share	$12.86	$13.92	'

Sharebased_compensation_Perfor

Share-based compensation (Performance-Based Stock Awards) (Details) (Performance-Based Stock Awards, USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Performance-Based Stock Awards	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Non-vested balance at October 1, 2012, Number of Shares	76,622	'	'
Granted, Number of Shares	103,026	92,910	60,212
Vested, Number of Shares	0	'	'
Forfeited, Number of Shares	-4,602	'	'
Non-vested balance at September 30, 2013, Number of Shares	-175,046	-76,622	'
Non-vested balance at October 1, 2012, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share	$13	'	'
Granted, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share	$14.67	$11.20	$17.37
Vested, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share	$0	'	'
Forfeited, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share	$14.67	'	'
Non-vested balance at September 30, 2013, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share	$13.94	$13	'

Stock_Repurchase_Program_Detai

Stock Repurchase Program (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	30-May-12
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stock repurchased during period	$30	$710	'
Common stock	'	'	'
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stock authorized for repurchase (in shares)	'	'	500,000
Stock repurchased and retired (in shares)	3,288	67,509	'
Average price per share (USD per share)	$9.20	$9.83	'
Stock repurchased during period	'	$247	'
Common stock | Executive	'	'	'
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stock repurchased and retired (in shares)	'	25,000	'
Average price per share (USD per share)	'	$9.88	'
Discount on average price per share (USD per share)	'	$0.03	'

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Details

Employee Benefit Plans (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Matching percentage for employee contributions	50.00%	'	'
Maximum percentage of employee compensation to be matched	4.00%	'	'
Cost recognized for contribution plan	$632	$676	$651

Segment_Information_Segment_In

Segment Information - Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	$42,012	$39,433	$35,486	$19,854	$27,334	$34,620	$27,249	$25,972	$136,783	$115,174	$116,328
Long-lived assets	41,258	'	'	'	22,085	'	'	'	41,258	22,085	'
Domestic	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	75,423	63,831	68,986
Long-lived assets	17,812	'	'	'	19,387	'	'	'	17,812	19,387	'
International	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	61,360	51,343	47,342
Long-lived assets	23,446	'	'	'	2,698	'	'	'	23,446	2,698	'
Automated inspection systems	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	59,336	46,586	52,962
Process systems	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	50,729	44,940	40,716
Parts and service	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$26,718	$23,648	$22,650

Segment_Information_Concentrat

Segment Information - Concentration Risk (Details) (Sales revenue, services, net, Customer concentration risk)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
	customer	customer	customer
Sales revenue, services, net | Customer concentration risk	'	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of significant customers	2	1	1

Contingencies_and_Commitments_1

Contingencies and Commitments (Details) (Pending Litigation, Belgian Electronics Sorting Technologies NV vs Visys, EUR €)	0 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 27, 2006
Pending Litigation | Belgian Electronics Sorting Technologies NV vs Visys	'
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'
Loss Contingency, Damages Sought, Value	€ 12.75

Quarterly_Financial_Informatio2

Quarterly Financial Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	$42,012	$39,433	$35,486	$19,854	$27,334	$34,620	$27,249	$25,972	$136,783	$115,174	$116,328
Gross profit	13,447	13,302	12,813	6,484	8,901	10,457	7,917	8,561	46,044	35,835	37,797
Net earnings (loss)	$1,295	$1,444	$2,146	($874)	$1,154	$264	($726)	($243)	$4,011	$449	$1,454
Net earnings (loss) per share - basic (usd per share)	$0.21	$0.23	$0.38	($0.16)	$0.22	$0.05	($0.13)	($0.05)	$0.69	$0.08	$0.27
Net earnings (loss) per share - diluted (usd per share)	$0.21	$0.23	$0.38	($0.16)	$0.22	$0.05	($0.13)	($0.05)	$0.69	$0.08	$0.27