Azenta (AZTA) 10-Q 6 Aug 15 2015 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jul. 30, 2015
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Trading Symbol	BRKS
Entity Registrant Name	BROOKS AUTOMATION INC
Entity Central Index Key	933,974
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-30
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		67,490,101

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 79,670	$ 94,114
Marketable securities	61,555	68,130
Accounts receivable, net	100,973	80,106
Inventories	95,167	93,567
Deferred tax assets	18,990	19,009
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	14,488	19,387
Total current assets	370,843	374,313
Property, plant and equipment, net	46,277	50,183
Long-term marketable securities	73,404	83,212
Long-term deferred tax assets	68,603	67,563
Goodwill	118,257	109,501
Intangible assets, net	56,771	59,550
Equity method investments	26,760	28,944
Other assets	9,458	4,772
Total assets	770,373	778,038
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	47,145	33,740
Capital lease obligation	881	881
Deferred revenue	22,614	26,279
Accrued warranty and retrofit costs	6,184	6,499
Accrued compensation and benefits	19,709	21,663
Accrued restructuring costs	2,661	3,475
Accrued income taxes payable	4,012	1,808
Deferred tax liabilities	339	808
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	15,617	18,688
Total current liabilities	119,162	113,841
Long-term capital lease obligation	7,049	7,417
Long-term tax reserves	3,947	5,708
Long-term deferred tax liabilities	3,268	2,567
Long-term pension liability	2,416	1,774
Other long-term liabilities	3,305	3,842
Total liabilities	$ 139,147	$ 135,149
Commitments and contingencies (Note 18)
Equity
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding	$ 0	$ 0
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 125,000,000 shares authorized, 80,951,970 shares issued and 67,490,101 shares outstanding at June 30, 2015, 80,375,777 shares issued and 66,913,908 shares outstanding at September 30, 2014	810	804
Additional paid-in capital	1,842,773	1,834,619
Accumulated other comprehensive income	8,452	15,687
Treasury stock at cost, 13,461,869 shares	(200,956)	(200,956)
Accumulated deficit	(1,019,853)	(1,007,265)
Total equity	631,226	642,889
Total liabilities and equity	$ 770,373	$ 778,038

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Jun. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Preferred stock, par value (USD per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	1,000,000	1,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value (USD per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	125,000,000	125,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	80,951,970	80,375,777
Common stock, shares outstanding	67,490,101	66,913,908
Treasury stock, shares	13,461,869	13,461,869

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPER

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Revenue
Product	$ 120,816	$ 93,223	$ 336,941	$ 288,887
Services	24,078	24,136	70,002	71,444
Total revenue	144,894	117,359	406,943	360,331
Cost of revenue
Product	79,721	59,985	228,989	185,507
Services	13,986	16,628	41,654	48,889
Total cost of revenue	93,707	76,613	270,643	234,396
Gross profit	51,187	40,746	136,300	125,935
Operating expenses
Research and development	12,834	13,494	39,001	38,538
Selling, general and administrative	27,825	30,040	86,845	84,812
Restructuring and other charges	358	3,122	3,711	4,641
Total operating expenses	41,017	46,656	129,557	127,991
Operating income (loss)	10,170	(5,910)	6,743	(2,056)
Interest income	199	181	678	685
Interest expense	(100)	(101)	(300)	(101)
Other income, net	460	157	2,640	472
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings (losses) of equity method investments	10,729	(5,673)	9,761	(1,000)
Income tax provision (benefit)	3,340	(2,838)	1,790	(928)
Income (loss) before equity in earnings (losses) of equity method investments	7,389	(2,835)	7,971	(72)
Equity in earnings (losses) of equity method investments	292	71	(313)	1,330
Income (loss) from continuing operations	7,681	(2,764)	7,658	1,258
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	27,263	0	30,002
Net income	7,681	24,499	7,658	31,260
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	(23)	0	(147)
Net income attributable to Brooks Automation, Inc.	$ 7,681	$ 24,476	$ 7,658	$ 31,113
Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to Brooks Automation, Inc. common stockholders:
Net income (loss) from continuing operations (USD per share)	$ 0.11	$ (0.04)	$ 0.11	$ 0.02
Net income from discontinued operations, net of tax (USD per share)	0	0.41	0	0.45
Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to Brooks Automation, Inc. (USD per share)	0.11	0.37	0.11	0.47
Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to Brooks Automation, Inc. common stockholders:
Net income (loss) from continuing operations (USD per share)	0.11	(0.04)	0.11	0.02
Net income from discontinued operations, net of tax (USD per share)	0	0.40	0	0.44
Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to Brooks Automation, Inc. common stockholders (USD per share)	0.11	0.36	0.11	0.46
Dividend declared per share (USD per share)	$ 0.10	$ 0.08	$ 0.30	$ 0.24
Shares used in computing earnings (loss) per share
Basic (shares)	67,454	66,751	67,321	66,583
Diluted (shares)	68,571	67,653	68,520	67,528

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 7,681	$ 24,499	$ 7,658	$ 31,260
Change in cumulative translation adjustment	(821)	2,542	(7,386)	1,701
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities	(48)	(31)	154	(10)
Change in fair value on cash flow hedges	0	(91)	0	(23)
Actuarial gain (loss)	(12)	(9)	(3)	12
Comprehensive income	6,800	26,910	423	32,940
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	(23)	0	(147)
Comprehensive income attributable to Brooks Automation, Inc.	$ 6,800	$ 26,887	$ 423	$ 32,793

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	$ 7,658	$ 31,260
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	18,929	17,252
Impairment of intangible assets	0	398
Impairment of other assets	0	2,621
Stock-based compensation	9,510	8,774
Amortization of premium on marketable securities	917	896
Undistributed losses (earnings) of equity method investments	313	(1,330)
Deferred income tax provision (benefit)	(2,262)	1,115
Gain on disposal of businesses	0	(27,444)
(Gain) loss on disposal of long-lived assets	(4)	52
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions and disposals:
Accounts receivable	(19,070)	10,416
Inventories	(1,519)	1,150
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(4,881)	(3,612)
Accounts payable	11,600	(15,712)
Deferred revenue	(2,339)	13,243
Accrued warranty and retrofit costs	(320)	(820)
Accrued compensation and benefits	(1,907)	5,484
Accrued restructuring costs	(660)	2,542
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	5,506	(5,947)
Net cash provided by operating activities	21,471	40,338
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(5,945)	(3,384)
Purchases of marketable securities	(58,991)	(128,135)
Sales and maturities of marketable securities	74,515	89,579
Proceeds from divestitures	0	85,369
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(17,257)	(37,832)
Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment	6	0
Purchases of other investments	(5,000)	0
Decreases in restricted cash	0	177
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(12,672)	5,774
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs	867	967
Principal repayments of capital lease obligations	(368)	0
Common stock dividends paid	(20,229)	(16,144)
Net cash used in financing activities	(19,730)	(15,177)
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(3,513)	1,641
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(14,444)	32,576
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	94,114	82,971
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	79,670	115,547
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Acquisition of buildings and land through capital lease	$ 0	$ 8,537

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation The unaudited consolidated financial statements of Brooks Automation, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“Brooks” or the “Company”) included herein have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"). All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. In the opinion of management, all material adjustments, which are of a normal and recurring nature, and necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations for the periods presented have been reflected. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for the full fiscal year. During the nine months ended June 30, 2014, the Company determined that its Granville-Phillips Gas Analysis & Vacuum Measurement ("Granville-Phillips") business met the criteria to be reported as a discontinued operation. The Company sold the Granville-Phillips business in May 2014. As a result, the Company’s historical financial statements have been revised to present the operating results of the Granville-Phillips business as a discontinued operation. The results of operations from the Granville-Phillips business are presented as “Income from discontinued operations, net of tax” in the unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations. The discussion in the notes to these unaudited consolidated financial statements, unless otherwise noted, relate solely to the Company's continuing operations (See Note 3). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements have been condensed or omitted and, accordingly, the accompanying financial information should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014 (the "2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K"). Use of Estimates and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies The preparation of unaudited consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the unaudited consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates are associated with accounts receivable, inventories, goodwill, intangible assets other than goodwill, long-lived assets, derivative financial instruments, deferred income taxes, warranty obligations, revenue recognized using the percentage of completion method, pension obligations and stock-based compensation expense. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions, including in certain circumstances, future projections that management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Although the Company regularly assesses these estimates, actual results could differ from those estimates. Changes in estimates are recorded in the period in which they become known. The Company’s significant accounting policies are described in Note 2 "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" in the 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued an amendment to the accounting guidance for presentation of unrecognized tax benefits. The prior guidance related to unrecognized tax benefits did not explicitly address financial statement presentation of unrecognized tax benefits when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward exists. The amended guidance eliminates the existing diversity in practice in the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits in these instances. Under the amended guidance, an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, are presented in the financial statements as a reduction of a deferred tax asset when an operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward exists, with limited exceptions. The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013 and should be applied prospectively. The Company adopted this guidance on October 1, 2014, which had no impact on its financial position or results of operations. In April 2014, the FASB issued an amendment to the accounting guidance for reporting discontinued operations. The amended guidance raises the threshold for disposals to qualify as a discontinued operation by requiring a component of an entity that is held for sale, or has been disposed of by sale, to represent a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on operations and financial results. Under the amended guidance, a strategic shift could include the disposal of a major line of business, a major geographical area, a major equity method investment or other major parts of an entity. In addition, the new guidance allows companies to have significant continuing involvement and continuing cash flows with the discontinued operation. The amended guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning on or after December 15, 2014. Early adoption is permitted for disposals, or classifications as held for sale, that have not been previously reported in financial statements. The Company has not considered this amended guidance in regard to the Granville-Phillips discontinued operation. In May 2014, the FASB issued new accounting guidance for reporting revenue recognition. The guidance provides for the recognition of revenue when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration that is expected to be received for those goods or services. A five-step process set forth in the guidance may require more judgment and estimation within the revenue recognition process than required under existing GAAP, including identifying performance obligations in the contract, estimating the amount of variable consideration to include in the transaction price and allocating the transaction price to each separate performance obligation. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this guidance will have on its financial position and results of operations. In January 2015, the FASB issued new accounting guidance to simplify income statement classification by removing the concept of extraordinary items from GAAP. As a result, items that are both unusual and infrequent will no longer be separately reported net of tax after the results of continuing operations. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial position and results of operations. In February 2015, the FASB issued an amendment to the accounting guidance for consolidations of financial statements by changing the analysis that a reporting entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain types of legal entities. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this guidance will have on its financial position and results of operations.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation The Company may issue restricted stock units and restricted stock awards (collectively "restricted stock units") and stock options which vest upon the satisfaction of a performance condition and/or a service condition. In addition, the Company issues shares to participating employees pursuant to an employee stock purchase plan. The following table reflects stock-based compensation expense, excluding amounts related to discontinued operations, recorded during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2015 2014 2015 2014 Restricted stock units $ 2,289 $ 2,149 $ 9,173 $ 8,442 Employee stock purchase plan 113 109 337 334 Total stock-based compensation $ 2,402 $ 2,258 $ 9,510 $ 8,776 The fair value per share of a restricted stock unit is equal to the quoted price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The expense related to these awards is being recorded ratably over the vesting period, net of estimated forfeitures. In addition, for stock-based awards where vesting is dependent upon achieving certain operating performance goals, the Company estimates the likelihood of achieving the performance goals against previously established performance targets in accordance with the Company's long-term equity incentive plan. The Company grants restricted stock units that vest over a required service period and awards for which vesting is dependent upon achieving certain operating performance goals. Restricted stock units granted with performance goals also have a required service period. The following table reflects restricted stock units granted, including 8,500 of time-based awards related to the discontinued operation, during the nine months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014: Total Units Time-Based Units Stock Grants Performance-Based Units Nine months ended June 30, 2015 1,484,781 568,750 69,281 846,750 Nine months ended June 30, 2014 1,517,057 600,750 77,557 838,750 Time-Based Grants Units granted with a required service period typically have three year vesting schedules in which, subject to the award holder meeting service requirements, one-third vest at the first anniversary of the date of grant, one-third vest at the second anniversary of the date of grant and one-third vest at the third anniversary of the date of grant. Stock Grants The Company granted 69,281 shares and 77,557 shares during the nine months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, to the Company’s Board of Directors, which vested immediately. Performance-Based Grants Performance-based units are earned based on the achievement of performance criteria established by the Company’s Human Resources and Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors. The criteria for performance-based awards are weighted and have threshold, target and maximum performance goals. Performance-based awards granted in fiscal year 2014 included provisions that allowed participants to earn 100% of the targeted number of performance-based awards if the Company’s performance met targets and up to a maximum of 200% of the performance-based awards if the Company’s performance significantly exceeded the target. Performance below the minimum threshold resulted in award forfeiture. The measurement of achievement against the performance goals for performance-based units granted in fiscal year 2014 occurred at the end of fiscal year 2014 to determine the number of earned units eligible for subsequent vesting, in which one-half of the earned units vest at the second anniversary of the date of grant and one-half of the earned units vest at the third anniversary of the date of grant, subject to the award holder meeting service requirements. The Company significantly exceeded the fiscal year 2014 financial goals associated with the performance-based awards which were granted in the first quarter of fiscal year 2014. Under the terms of the awards, a total of 1,297,546 units could vest, subject to award holders satisfying the service requirement, which is an increase of 458,796 units over the target grant. Units granted to the employees of the Granville-Phillips business were forfeited upon completion of the sale. Performance-based awards granted in fiscal year 2015 include provisions similar to fiscal 2014 awards that allow participants to earn threshold, target and maximum awards ranging from 0% of the award for performance below the minimum threshold, 100% of the award for performance at target and up to a maximum of 200% of the award if the Company’s performance significantly exceeds the target goals. Sixty percent of the performance-based units granted in fiscal year 2015 have certain performance goals that will be measured at the end of fiscal year 2015 to determine the number of earned units, of which one-half will vest at the second anniversary of the date of grant and one-half will vest at the third anniversary of the date of grant, subject to the award holder meeting service requirements. Forty percent of the performance-based units granted in fiscal year 2015 have certain performance goals to be measured over a three year period at the end of fiscal year 2017 with any earned units vesting at the third anniversary of the date of the grant, subject to award holders satisfying the service requirements. Stock Option Activity The following table summarizes stock option activity for the nine months ended June 30, 2015: Number of Options Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term Weighted Average Exercise Price Aggregate Intrinsic Value (In Thousands) Outstanding at September 30, 2014 5,550 $ 13.20 Forfeited/expired (5,550 ) 13.20 Outstanding at June 30, 2015 — 0.0 years $ — $ — Vested at June 30, 2015 — 0.0 years $ — $ — Options exercisable at June 30, 2015 — 0.0 years $ — $ — No stock options were granted during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2015 or 2014. There were no stock option exercises during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2015 or 2014. As of June 30, 2015, there was no future compensation cost related to stock options as there were no stock options outstanding. Restricted Stock Unit Activity The following table summarizes restricted stock unit activity for the nine months ended June 30, 2015: Restricted Stock Units Weighted Outstanding at September 30, 2014 2,726,485 $ 11.05 Restricted stock units granted 1,484,781 11.93 Restricted stock units vested (672,453 ) 11.91 Restricted stock units canceled (266,736 ) 10.60 Outstanding at June 30, 2015 3,272,077 $ 11.91 The fair value of restricted stock units which vested during each of the three month periods ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 was $0.2 million . The fair value of restricted stock units which vested during the nine months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 was $8.0 million and $5.1 million , respectively. As of June 30, 2015, the unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock units that are expected to vest is $14.2 million and will be recognized over an estimated weighted average service period of 1.6 years . Employee Stock Purchase Plan There were no shares purchased under the employee stock purchase plan during the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014. A total of 96,415 shares were purchased under the employee stock purchase plan during the nine months ended June 30, 2015 for aggregate proceeds of $0.9 million . A total of 115,132 shares were purchased under the employee stock purchase plan during nine months ended June 30, 2014 for aggregate proceeds of $1.0 million .

Discontinued Operations

Discontinued Operations	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Discontinued Operations	Discontinued Operations The Granville-Phillips business unit developed, manufactured, sold and serviced vacuum measurement and gas analysis instrumentation to semiconductor and non-semiconductor customers. In March 2014, the Company entered into an agreement to sell this business for $87.0 million in cash. The sale was completed on May 30, 2014. The Company’s historical financial statements have been revised to present the operating results of the Granville-Phillips business as a discontinued operation. The presentation of the Granville-Phillips business as a discontinued operation resulted in a reduction of previously reported revenue by $4.4 million and $19.3 million , respectively, for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2014 and had no impact on previously reported net income (loss) or stockholders' equity for the periods then ended.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisitions	Acquisitions Acquisitions Completed in Fiscal Year 2015 On October 1, 2014, the Company acquired all of the outstanding stock of FluidX Ltd. (“FluidX”), a UK-based provider of biological sample storage tubes and complementary bench-top instruments. The Company paid, in cash, aggregate merger consideration of $15.5 million , net of cash acquired. The acquisition of FluidX provides the Company with the opportunity to enhance its existing capabilities with respect to biobanking solutions in the Brooks Life Science Systems segment. The Company recorded the assets and liabilities associated with FluidX at their fair values as of the acquisition date. The preliminary amounts recorded were as follows (in thousands): Accounts receivable $ 1,980 Inventory 2,857 Prepaid and other current assets 213 Property, plant and equipment 101 Completed technology 1,230 Trademarks and trade names 750 Customer relationships 4,810 Goodwill 8,247 Accounts payable (2,079 ) Deferred revenue (72 ) Accrued liabilities (992 ) Long-term deferred tax liabilities (1,540 ) Total purchase price, net of cash acquired $ 15,505 The purchase price was allocated based on the fair value of the identified assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date from a market participant’s perspective. On January 23, 2015, the Company reached a settlement with respect to certain working capital adjustments with the sellers of FluidX stock. On February 3, 2015, the Company paid such proceeds to the sellers, which increased the purchase price by $0.1 million . At June 30, 2015, the Company had $1.6 million in a general escrow account held by the unrelated third party. The Company has not yet completed the final allocation of the consideration in connection with the acquisition of FluidX, but expects to do so in the measurement period. The Company used the relief-from-royalty method, a form of the income approach, to value the trademarks and existing technology acquired. The principle behind this method is that the value of an intangible asset is equal to the present value of the after-tax royalty savings attributable to owning that intangible asset. The Company used the excess-earnings method, a form of the income approach, to value the customer relationships acquired. The principle behind this method is that the value of the intangible asset is equal to the present value of the after-tax cash flows attributable to the intangible asset only. The weighted average amortization periods for intangible assets acquired in the FluidX acquisition are 7.0 years for each of completed technology, trademarks, and customer relationships. The intangible assets acquired are amortized using an accelerated depreciation method which approximates the pattern in which the economic benefits are expected to be realized. Goodwill represents the excess of the consideration transferred over the fair value of the net assets acquired and has been assigned to the Company's Brooks Life Science Systems segment. Goodwill is primarily the result of expected synergies from combining the operations of FluidX with the Company. Goodwill arising from the acquisition of FluidX is not deductible for tax purposes. The operating results of FluidX have been included in the results of operations for the Brooks Life Science Systems segment from the date of the acquisition. Revenue from FluidX for the three months ended June 30, 2015 was $3.8 million , and its net loss was $0.3 million . Revenue from FluidX for the nine months ended June 30, 2015 was $11.2 million , and its net loss was $0.5 million . The net loss for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2015 included charges of $0.0 million and $1.0 million , respectively, related to the step-up in value of the acquired inventories. The net loss for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2015 also included amortization expense of $0.3 million and $1.0 million , respectively, related to acquired intangible assets. Acquisitions Completed in Fiscal Year 2014 On April 30, 2014, the Company acquired all the outstanding stock of Dynamic Micro Systems Semiconductor Equipment GmbH (“DMS”), a German provider of automated contamination control solutions for front opening unified pod, or "FOUP," carriers and reticle storage, targeted at improving yield of semiconductor processes at semiconductor fabrication plants. The Company paid, in cash, aggregate merger consideration of $31.6 million , net of cash acquired. The acquisition of DMS expanded the Company’s capabilities at semiconductor fabrication plants for yield improvement on new technology nodes. The Company recorded the assets and liabilities associated with DMS at their fair values as of the acquisition date. The amounts recorded were as follows (in thousands): Accounts receivable $ 15,262 Inventory 9,750 Prepaid and other current assets 2,727 Property, plant and equipment 2,049 Completed technology 3,610 Customer relationships 7,100 Goodwill 11,939 Accounts payable (10,393 ) Accrued liabilities (5,522 ) Deferred revenue (1,309 ) Long-term deferred tax liabilities (3,588 ) Total purchase price, net of cash acquired $ 31,625 The purchase price was allocated based on the fair value of the identified assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date from a market participant’s perspective. The Company finalized the purchase price allocation for this acquisition within the measurement period. Adjustments to the initial purchase price allocation recorded during the measurement period were not material to our financial position. The Company reached a settlement with respect to certain working capital adjustments and other issues with the sellers of DMS' stock in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2014. As a result of this settlement, the Company received $2.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2015 from certain escrow accounts established at the date of acquisition and held by the unrelated third party. At June 30, 2015, $2.8 million remained in escrow related to potential future claims against the sellers of DMS' stock. The escrow period lapses on October 30, 2015. The Company used the relief-from-royalty method, a form of the income approach, to value the completed technology acquired. The Company used the excess-earnings method, a form of the income approach, to value the customer relationships acquired. The weighted average amortization periods for intangible assets acquired in the DMS acquisition are 5.0 years for completed technologies and 8.0 years for customer relationships. The intangible assets acquired are amortized using methods that approximate the pattern in which the economic benefits are expected to be realized, including variable declining balance and straight-line methods. Goodwill represents the excess of the consideration transferred over the fair value of the net assets acquired and has been assigned to the Company's Brooks Product Solutions segment. Goodwill is primarily the result of expected synergies from combining the operations of DMS with the Company. Goodwill arising from the acquisition of DMS is not deductible for tax purposes. In the first quarter of fiscal year 2015, the Company increased the opening goodwill balance by $0.3 million as a result of a fair value adjustment recorded to inventory. The operating results of DMS have been included in the results of operations for the Brooks Product Solutions segment from the date of the acquisition. Revenue from DMS for the three months ended June 30, 2015 was $11.0 million and its net income was $0.7 million . Revenue from DMS for the nine months ended June 30, 2015 was $27.1 million and its net income was $0.5 million . The net income for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2015 included charges of $0.0 million and $0.6 million , respectively, related to the step-up in value of the acquired inventories. The net income for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2015 also included amortization expense of $0.6 million and $1.7 million , respectively, related to acquired intangible assets. The following pro forma summary presents consolidated information of the Company as if the acquisition of DMS occurred on October 1, 2013 (in thousands): Three Months Ended June 30, 2014 Nine Months Ended June 30, 2014 Revenue $ 119,580 $ 379,433 Net income attributable to Brooks Automation, Inc. 21,291 26,384 The pro forma net income has been adjusted to reflect additional amortization from adjustments to intangible assets as if those adjustments had been applied as of October 1, 2013.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Intangible Assets Goodwill represents the excess of net book value over the estimated fair value of net tangible and identifiable intangible assets of a reporting unit. The Company performs a goodwill impairment test for each reporting unit on an annual basis and additional impairment tests if triggering events occur or interim indicators of impairment are present. The Company did not identify any indicators of goodwill impairment during the three and nine months period ended June 30, 2015 that would warrant an interim test. During the three months ended June 30, 2015, the Company changed the date of its annual goodwill impairment test from September 30th to April 1st to align more closely with the Company’s annual strategic planning process. This change did not delay, accelerate, or avoid an impairment charge and did not result in adjustments to the Company’s unaudited consolidated financial statements when applied retrospectively. As of June 30, 2015, the Company completed the annual goodwill impairment test and determined that no adjustment to goodwill was necessary since the fair value of all reporting units substantially exceeded their respective carrying values. The change in the annual impairment test date did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position and results of operations during the period ended June 30, 2015. The components of the Company’s goodwill, excluding amounts related to the discontinued operations, by business segment at June 30, 2015 are as follows (in thousands): Brooks Brooks Brooks Other Total Gross goodwill at September 30, 2014 $ 494,275 $ 156,792 $ 47,378 $ 26,014 $ 724,459 Less: aggregate impairment charges recorded (437,706 ) (151,238 ) — (26,014 ) (614,958 ) Goodwill, less accumulated impairments at September 30, 2014 56,569 5,554 47,378 — 109,501 Acquisitions and adjustments during the nine months ended June 30, 2015 509 — 8,247 — 8,756 Goodwill, less accumulated impairments at June 30, 2015 $ 57,078 $ 5,554 $ 55,625 $ — $ 118,257 Components of the Company’s identifiable intangible assets, excluding amounts related to the discontinued operations, are as follows (in thousands): June 30, 2015 September 30, 2014 Cost Accumulated Net Book Cost Accumulated Net Book Patents $ 7,808 $ 7,370 $ 438 $ 7,808 $ 7,300 $ 508 Completed technology 58,516 45,474 13,042 57,155 41,539 15,616 Trademarks and trade names 4,243 3,578 665 3,496 3,496 — Customer relationships 78,282 35,656 42,626 73,389 29,963 43,426 Total intangible assets $ 148,849 $ 92,078 $ 56,771 $ 141,848 $ 82,298 $ 59,550 The Company recorded an increase to goodwill in the amount of $8.8 million during the nine months ended June 30, 2015. This increase included $8.2 million related to the acquisition of FluidX, representing the excess of the consideration transferred over the fair value of the net assets acquired from FluidX. This increase also included $0.3 million due to a fair value adjustment recorded to DMS inventory, resulting in an increase to opening goodwill. The Company is required to test certain long-lived assets when indicators of impairment are present. The Company evaluated the existence of impairment indicators on long-lived assets for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2015 and determined that such indicators were not present. The Company initially determined that impairment indicators were present for the long-lived assets related to the Celigo product line as of September 30, 2013. These long-lived assets were tested for recoverability, which resulted in the conclusion that the carrying amounts of the assets were not fully recoverable. As a result of this analysis, management determined that an impairment loss of $2.0 million had occurred as of September 30, 2013. The Company revised its estimate of the fair value of these assets during the three months ended December 31, 2013 and determined that an additional impairment loss of $0.4 million , representing the remaining carrying value of the long-lived assets, was required to be recorded. These impairment losses were recorded in the results of operations of the Brooks Life Science Systems segment during the three months ended December 31, 2013. The Company completed the sale of the Celigo product line in the second quarter of fiscal year 2014.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes The Company recorded an income tax provision of $3.3 million and $1.8 million for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2015, respectively. The income tax provision is driven by global income during the current quarter and interest related to unrecognized tax benefits. The income tax provision also includes tax benefits related to reductions in unrecognized tax benefits resulting from the expiration of the statute of limitations in various foreign jurisdictions. The income tax provision for the nine months ended June 30, 2015 includes $0.9 million of tax benefits resulting from the reinstatement of the U.S. federal research and development tax credit, retroactive to January 1, 2014. The Company recorded an income tax benefit of $2.8 million and $0.9 million for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2014, respectively. The income tax benefit is driven by U.S. and German pre-tax losses in the third quarter and $0.7 million of reductions in unrecognized tax benefits resulting from the expiration of the statute of limitations in one of the Company's foreign jurisdictions. These benefits are partially offset by foreign income taxes and interest related to unrecognized tax benefits. The Company evaluates the realizability of its deferred tax assets by jurisdiction and assesses the need for a valuation allowance on a quarterly basis. As of June 30, 2015, the Company has continued to maintain a valuation allowance in the U.S. against certain tax credits and state net operating losses due to the uncertainty of their realization based on long-term Company forecasts and the expiration dates on these attributes. The Company has also continued to maintain a valuation allowance in certain jurisdictions that have not generated historical cumulative profitability. The Company is subject to U.S. federal income tax and various state, local and foreign income taxes in various jurisdictions. The amount of income taxes paid is subject to the Company's interpretation of applicable tax laws in the jurisdictions in which it files tax returns. In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to examination by taxing authorities throughout the world. The Company has income tax audits in progress in various jurisdictions in which it operates. In the Company's U.S. and foreign jurisdictions, the years that may be examined vary, with the earliest tax year being 2008. Based on the outcome of these examinations, or the expiration of statutes of limitations for specific jurisdictions, the related unrecognized tax benefits could change from those recorded in the Company's unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets. It is reasonably possible that the unrecognized tax benefit will be reduced by approximately $1.3 million during the next twelve months as the result of the expiration of these statutes of limitations.

Earnings per Share

Earnings per Share	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings per Share	Earnings per Share A reconciliation of weighted average common shares outstanding for purposes of calculating basic and diluted earnings per share is as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2015 2014 2015 2014 Weighted average common shares outstanding used in computing basic earnings per share 67,454 66,751 67,321 66,583 Dilutive common stock options and restricted stock units 1,117 902 1,199 945 Weighted average common shares outstanding for purposes of computing diluted earnings per share 68,571 67,653 68,520 67,528 Options to purchase approximately 0 and 9,000 shares of common stock and 383,000 and 0 restricted stock units were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share attributable to common stockholders for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, as their effect would be anti-dilutive. In addition, options to purchase approximately 2,000 and 13,000 shares of common stock and 160,000 and 0 restricted stock units were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share attributable to common stockholders for the nine months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, as their effect would be anti-dilutive.

Segment Information

Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	Segment Information The Company reports financial results in three segments: Brooks Product Solutions, Brooks Global Services and Brooks Life Science Systems. A description of segments is included in the 2014 Annual Report on the Form 10-K, Note 18 "Segment and Geographic Information" in the Notes to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company evaluates the performance of, and allocates resources to, each of its segments based on their revenues, operating income (loss) and returns on invested assets. Operating income (loss) for each segment includes selling, general and administrative expenses directly attributable to the segment. Other unallocated corporate expenses, amortization of acquired intangible assets (excluding completed technology) and restructuring and other charges are excluded from the segments’ operating income (loss). The Company’s indirect overhead costs, which include various general and administrative expenses, are allocated among the segments based upon multiple cost drivers associated with the respective administrative function, including segments' revenue and headcount, or an analysis of the segments that benefit from a specific administrative function. Segment assets exclude cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities, deferred tax assets and equity method investments. Financial information for the Company’s business segments, excluding amounts related to the discontinued operations, is as follows (in thousands): Brooks Brooks Brooks Total Three Months Ended June 30, 2015 Revenue Product $ 104,533 $ 4,154 $ 12,129 $ 120,816 Services — 19,399 4,679 24,078 Total revenue $ 104,533 $ 23,553 $ 16,808 $ 144,894 Gross profit $ 38,285 $ 8,230 $ 4,672 $ 51,187 Segment operating income (loss) $ 13,470 $ 3,692 $ (4,656 ) $ 12,506 Three Months Ended June 30, 2014 Revenue Product $ 75,367 $ 3,392 $ 14,464 $ 93,223 Services — 20,246 3,890 24,136 Total revenue $ 75,367 $ 23,638 $ 18,354 $ 117,359 Gross profit $ 25,834 $ 8,399 $ 6,513 $ 40,746 Segment operating income (loss) $ 451 $ 3,784 $ (1,110 ) $ 3,125 Nine Months Ended June 30, 2015 Revenue Product $ 286,347 $ 12,390 $ 38,204 $ 336,941 Services — 57,197 12,805 70,002 Total revenue $ 286,347 $ 69,587 $ 51,009 $ 406,943 Gross profit $ 99,202 $ 23,736 $ 13,362 $ 136,300 Segment operating income (loss) $ 21,927 $ 9,353 $ (14,563 ) $ 16,717 Nine Months Ended June 30, 2014 Revenue Product $ 246,820 $ 11,044 $ 31,023 $ 288,887 Services — 59,304 12,140 71,444 Total revenue $ 246,820 $ 70,348 $ 43,163 $ 360,331 Gross profit $ 86,295 $ 23,900 $ 15,740 $ 125,935 Segment operating income (loss) $ 10,906 $ 8,875 $ (8,150 ) $ 11,631 Assets June 30, 2015 $ 267,150 $ 57,075 $ 115,230 $ 439,455 September 30, 2014 $ 252,944 $ 58,678 $ 103,498 $ 415,120 A reconciliation of the Company’s reportable segment operating income (loss) to the corresponding consolidated amounts for the three and nine month periods ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 is as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2015 2014 2015 2014 Segment operating income $ 12,506 $ 3,125 $ 16,717 $ 11,631 Amortization of acquired intangible assets 1,917 1,606 5,743 4,522 Restructuring and other charges 358 3,122 3,711 4,641 Impairment of variable interest entity note receivable — 2,621 — 2,621 Other unallocated corporate expenses 61 1,686 520 1,903 Total operating income (loss) $ 10,170 $ (5,910 ) $ 6,743 $ (2,056 ) A reconciliation of the Company’s reportable segment assets to the corresponding consolidated amounts as of June 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014 is as follows (in thousands): June 30, September 30, Segment assets $ 439,455 $ 415,120 Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities 214,629 245,456 Deferred tax assets 87,593 86,572 Equity method investments 26,760 28,944 Other unallocated corporate net assets 1,936 1,946 Total assets $ 770,373 $ 778,038

Significant Customers

Significant Customers	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Significant Customers	Significant Customers The Company had one customer that accounted for more than 10% of its revenue, at 11% , during the three months ended June 30, 2015. The Company did not have any customers that accounted for more than 10% of its revenue during the three months ended June 30, 2014. The Company had one customer that accounted for more than 10% of its revenue, at 12% and 11% , during the nine months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The Company did not have any customers that accounted for more than 10% of its accounts receivable balance at June 30, 2015 or September 30, 2014. For purposes of determining the percentage of revenue from any original equipment manufacturer ("OEM") customer, the Company does not include revenue from products sold to a contract manufacturer customer which in turn sells to the OEM. If the Company included revenue from products sold to contract manufacturer customers supporting the Company's OEM customers, the percentage of the Company's total revenue derived from certain OEM customers would be higher.

Restructuring and Other Charges

Restructuring and Other Charges	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring and Other Charges	Restructuring and Other Charges The Company recorded a restructuring charge of $0.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 related to severance costs. These severance costs were primarily driven by actions taken to consolidate global functional support roles and transition the manufacturing of certain product sub-assemblies to third party contract manufacturers within the Brooks Life Science Systems segment. The Company recorded a restructuring charge of $3.7 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2015, which consisted of $2.5 million of severance costs and $1.2 million of facility exit costs. Included in these restructuring charges are the severance costs described above along with $ 3.3 million of restructuring costs incurred during the first half of fiscal 2015 as a result of actions taken to reduce the Company's workforce in order to improve its cost structure and ongoing cost discipline. These restructuring charges consisted primarily of severance costs of $ 2.1 million and facility exit related costs of $1.2 million . The reduction in workforce was primarily the result of consolidation of positions in the United States and Germany, including reductions related to the integration of the Company's acquisition of DMS along with the transition of the manufacturing of certain products from the Company's facility in Mistlegau, Germany to a third party contract manufacturer. The Company plans to close its manufacturing site in Mistlegau, Germany in fiscal 2016. The facility exit costs were attributable to the outsourcing of manufacturing certain products in the Company's line of Polycold cryochillers and compressors within the United States to a third party contract manufacturer. The facility exit costs were estimated according to future lease payments and operating costs to be paid until the termination of the lease. The Company recorded a restructuring charge of $3.1 million and $4.6 million for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2014, respectively. These restructuring costs consisted primarily of severance and other workforce-related costs resulting from the consolidation of certain administrative functions in the Brooks Life Science Systems segment, the on-going transition of manufacturing certain of the Company’s Polycold products to a third party contract manufacturer and other programs designed to improve the Company’s cost structure. The activity for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 related to the Company's restructuring-related accruals, excluding amounts related to the discontinued operations, is summarized below (in thousands): Activity — Three Months Ended June 30, 2015 Balance at Expenses Payments Balance at Facilities and other $ 904 $ — $ (241 ) $ 663 Workforce-related 2,393 358 (753 ) 1,998 Total restructuring liabilities $ 3,297 $ 358 $ (994 ) $ 2,661 Activity — Three Months Ended June 30, 2014 Balance at Expenses Payments Balance at Facilities and other $ — $ 150 $ (58 ) $ 92 Workforce-related 1,552 2,972 (665 ) 3,859 Total restructuring liabilities $ 1,552 $ 3,122 $ (723 ) $ 3,951 Activity — Nine Months Ended June 30, 2015 Balance at Expenses Payments Balance at Facilities and other $ 71 $ 1,205 $ (613 ) $ 663 Workforce-related 3,404 2,506 (3,912 ) 1,998 Total restructuring liabilities $ 3,475 $ 3,711 $ (4,525 ) $ 2,661 Activity — Nine Months Ended June 30, 2014 Balance at Expenses Payments Balance at Facilities and other $ 155 $ 163 $ (226 ) $ 92 Workforce-related 1,257 4,478 (1,876 ) 3,859 Total restructuring liabilities $ 1,412 $ 4,641 $ (2,102 ) $ 3,951 The Company anticipates that the accrued restructuring costs at June 30, 2015 will be substantially paid in the next twelve months.

Employee Benefit Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Employee Benefit Plans	Employee Benefit Plans The Company has two active defined benefit pension plans (collectively, the “Plans”). The Plans cover substantially all of the Company’s employees in Switzerland and Taiwan. Retirement benefits are generally earned based on the years of service and compensation during active employment; however, the level of benefits varies within the Plans. Eligibility is determined in accordance with local statutory requirements. The components of the Company’s net pension cost for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 are as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2015 2014 2015 2014 Service cost $ 122 $ 102 $ 370 $ 304 Interest cost 32 40 96 118 Amortization of losses — — — 1 Expected return on assets (54 ) (53 ) (165 ) (161 ) Net periodic pension cost $ 100 $ 89 $ 301 $ 262

Other Balance Sheet Information

Other Balance Sheet Information	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Other Balance Sheet Information	Other Balance Sheet Information The following is a summary of accounts receivable at June 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014 (in thousands): June 30, September 30, Accounts receivable $ 102,238 $ 81,270 Less: allowance for doubtful accounts (1,142 ) (1,031 ) Less: allowance for sales returns (123 ) (133 ) Accounts receivable, net $ 100,973 $ 80,106 The following is a summary of inventories at June 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014, excluding amounts related to discontinued operations (in thousands): June 30, September 30, Inventories: Raw materials and purchased parts $ 57,400 $ 57,250 Work-in-process 21,795 20,068 Finished goods 15,972 16,249 Total inventories $ 95,167 $ 93,567 Reserves for excess and obsolete inventory were $24.8 million and $26.0 million , excluding amounts related to discontinued operations, at June 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014, respectively. The Company provides for the estimated costs of product warranties, primarily from historical information, at the time product revenue is recognized and retrofit accruals at the time retrofit programs are established. The Company’s warranty obligation is affected by product failure rates, utilization levels, material usage, service delivery costs incurred in correcting a product failure, and supplier warranties on parts delivered to the Company. Product warranty and retrofit activity on a gross basis for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, excluding amounts related to discontinued operations, is as follows (in thousands): Activity - Three Months Ended June 30, 2015 Balance at Adjustments for Accruals Costs Incurred Balance at $ 6,203 $ — $ 2,725 $ (2,744 ) $ 6,184 Activity - Three Months Ended June 30, 2014 Balance at Adjustments for Accruals Costs Incurred Balance at $ 6,319 $ 364 $ 3,017 $ (2,879 ) $ 6,821 Activity - Nine Months Ended June 30, 2015 Balance at Adjustments for Accruals Costs Incurred Balance at $ 6,499 $ 81 $ 7,870 $ (8,266 ) $ 6,184 Activity - Nine Months Ended June 30, 2014 Balance at Adjustments for Accruals Costs Incurred Balance at $ 7,260 $ 364 $ 7,167 $ (7,970 ) $ 6,821

Equity Method Investments

Equity Method Investments	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Equity Method Investments	Equity Method Investments The Company accounts for certain of its investments using the equity method. Under this method of accounting, the Company records in its unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations its proportionate share of the earnings (losses) of the investee with a corresponding increase (decrease) in the carrying value of the investment. BioCision, LLC In March 2014, the Company acquired a 22% equity interest in BioCision, LLC (“BioCision”), a privately-held company based in Larkspur, California, for $4.0 million . BioCision develops, manufactures and markets cell cryopreservation products used to improve and standardize the tools and methods for biomaterial sample handling. The Company determined that BioCision represented a variable interest entity since the level of equity investment at risk was not sufficient to finance its activities without additional financial support. However, the Company does not qualify as a primary beneficiary since it does not have the power to direct BioCision's product research, development, selling and marketing activities that have the most significant impact on its economic performance. As such, the Company concluded that BioCision will not be consolidated in the Company's financial statements. During the three months ended June 30, 2015, the Company's equity investment was diluted from 22% to 20% as a result of stock options granted to new employees. For the three and nine months ended June 30, 2015, the Company recorded a loss associated with BioCision of $0.2 million and $0.7 million , respectively. For each of the three and nine months ended June 30, 2014, the Company recorded a loss associated with BioCision of $ 0.1 million . At June 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014, the carrying value of the investment in BioCision in the Company’s unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets was $3.0 million and $ 3.7 million , respectively. The Company purchased BioCision five-year convertible debt securities with a warrant agreement to purchase preferred units of BioCision for $2.5 million on December 22, 2014 and February 2, 2015, resulting in a total purchase price of $5.0 million . The convertible debt securities were accounted for under the fair value method, and were recorded at fair value. The warrants were accounted for as a derivative and were recorded at fair value. As of June 30, 2015, the fair value of the convertible debt securities and warrants was $5.4 million and $0.1 million , respectively. For further information regarding the convertible debt securities and warrants, refer to Note 17, “Fair Value Measurements”. The Company re-measures the fair value of the BioCision convertible debt securities and warrants each reporting period and recognizes the respective gain or loss in earnings. For the three and nine months ended June 30, 2015, the Company recognized $0.2 million and $ 0.5 million , respectively, of such remeasurement gains. Interest accrues on the convertible debt securities at a rate of 9% per annum, and is due with the principal upon maturity. As a result of the funding, the Company reconsidered whether BioCision represents a variable interest entity subject to consolidation. The Company concluded that BioCision remains a variable interest entity since the level of equity investment at risk is not sufficient to finance its activities without additional financial support. However, the Company does not qualify as a primary beneficiary since it does not have the power to direct BioCision's product research, development, selling and marketing activities that have the most significant impact on its economic performance. As such, the Company concluded that BioCision will not be consolidated in the Company's financial statements. ULVAC Cryogenics, Inc. The Company participates in a 50% joint venture, ULVAC Cryogenics, Inc. (“UCI”), with ULVAC Corporation of Chigasaki, Japan. UCI manufactures and sells cryogenic vacuum pumps, principally to ULVAC Corporation. For the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company recorded income associated with UCI of $0.6 million and $0.2 million , respectively. For the nine months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company recorded income associated with UCI of $0.9 million and $1.4 million , respectively. At June 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014, the carrying value of UCI in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets was $22.0 million and $22.6 million , respectively. For each of the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, management fee payments received by the Company from UCI were $0.2 million . For the nine months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, management fee payments received by the Company from UCI were $0.4 million and $ 0.5 million , respectively. For the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company incurred charges for UCI's products or services of $0.1 million and $0.2 million , respectively. For the nine months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company incurred charges for UCI's products or services of $0.2 million and $ 0.3 million , respectively. At both June 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014, the Company owed UCI $0.1 million in connection with accounts payable for unpaid products and services. Yaskawa Brooks Automation, Inc. The Company participated in a 50% joint venture with Yaskawa Electric Corporation (“Yaskawa”) called Yaskawa Brooks Automation, Inc. (“YBA”) which has come to closure in March 2015 and will be liquidated by the end of fiscal 2015. YBA exclusively marketed and sold Yaskawa’s semiconductor robotics products and Brooks’ automation hardware products to semiconductor customers in Japan. During the first quarter of fiscal year 2015, the Company and Yaskawa agreed in principle to dissolve the joint venture. On January 22, 2015, the Company entered into an agreement with YBA to facilitate the acquisition of certain assets and certain liabilities by the Company’s subsidiary in Japan. In accordance with the agreement, on March 20, 2015, the Company’s subsidiary in Japan received the net assets of YBA for cash consideration of approximately $1.8 million . The Company recorded the assets received and liabilities assumed from YBA at their fair value as of the acquisition date. As a result of the transaction, the Company recorded $0.2 million of goodwill, representing the excess of the consideration transferred over the fair value of the net assets acquired. The cash received by YBA will be used to pay off remaining liabilities and the liquidation costs of YBA. Any remaining cash after making these payments will be distributed to the equity partners in the form of a dividend, which is expected to occur by the end of fiscal year 2015. The Company recorded a loss of $69,000 associated with YBA for the three months ended June 30, 2015, compared to a loss of $70,000 for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. For the nine months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company recorded a loss associated with YBA of $0.5 million and $0.1 million , respectively. At June 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014, the carrying value of YBA in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets was $1.7 million and $ 2.6 million , respectively. For the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, revenue earned by the Company from YBA was $0.0 million and $2.7 million , respectively. For the nine months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, revenue earned by the Company from YBA was $2.1 million and $5.6 million , respectively. For the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company incurred charges from YBA for products or services of $47,000 and $0.1 million , respectively. For the nine months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company incurred charges from YBA for products or services of $1.0 million and $0.4 million , respectively. The amount due from YBA included in accounts receivable at June 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014 was $0.0 million and $2.1 million , respectively. At June 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014, the Company owed YBA $0.0 million and $0.1 million , respectively, in connection with accounts payable for unpaid products and services.

Note Receivable

Note Receivable	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Note Receivable	Note Receivable In fiscal 2012, the Company provided a strategic partner (the “Borrower”) a loan of $3.0 million to support the Borrower's future product development and other working capital requirements. The loan bears interest at a rate of 9% and the outstanding principal and interest was payable in May 2015. The Company also received a warrant to purchase the Borrower's common stock in the event of an equity offering by the Borrower and certain other rights related to conversion of the loan, first refusal to acquire the Borrower and a redemption premium. The loan was secured by a security agreement granting the Company a first-priority security interest in all of the assets of the Borrower. The Company determined that the Borrower represented a variable interest entity since the level of equity investment at risk was not sufficient for the entity to finance its activities without additional financial support. However, the Company does not qualify as the primary beneficiary since it would not absorb the majority of the expected losses from the Borrower and does not have the power to direct the Borrower's product research, development and marketing activities that have the most significant impact on its economic performance. The Company has no future contractual funding commitments to the Borrower and, as a result, the Company's exposure to loss is limited to the outstanding principal and interest under the loan. During the third quarter of fiscal year 2014, the Borrower informed the Company of its intent to secure additional funding from an investment program funded by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts designed to support early-stage companies. In connection with the Borrower’s efforts to secure additional financing, the Company agreed to subordinate its security interest in the assets of the Borrower to the new lender. Additionally, the Company agreed to extend the due date of its loan by approximately 5 years, to September 2019, in order to coincide with the due date of the new loan. The amended loan has a stated interest rate of 10% . In connection with its efforts to secure additional financial support, the Borrower developed revised assumptions about its future cash flows. Based on the information provided by the Borrower, and the subordination to the new lender, the Company determined it was probable that it would not recover all amounts due from the loan and recorded an impairment charge of $2.6 million during the third quarter of fiscal year 2014. The impairment charge, which included the warrant write-off, was recorded in the unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations in selling, general and administrative expenses. The fair value of the loan was determined by considering the fair value of the collateral using valuation techniques, principally the discounted cash flow method, reduced by the amounts committed by the new lender. The observable inputs used in the Company's analysis were limited primarily to the discount rate, which was based on a rate commensurate with the risks and uncertainties of the Borrower. As a result, the fair value of the loan at June 30, 2015 could vary under different conditions or assumptions, including the varying assumptions regarding future cash flows of the Borrower or discount rates. At June 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014, the carrying value of the note receivable was $ 1.3 million and $1.5 million , respectively. No triggering events indicating impairment of the note receivable occurred during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2015.

Derivative Instruments

Derivative Instruments	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments	Derivative Instruments The Company has transactions and balances denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Most of these transactions or balances are denominated in Euros, British Pounds and a variety of Asian currencies. These transactions and balances, including short-term advances between the Company and its subsidiaries, subject the Company's operations to exposure from exchange rate fluctuations. The impact of currency exchange rate movement can be positive or negative in any period. The Company mitigates the impact of potential currency translation gains and losses on short-term intercompany advances through timely settlement of each transaction, generally within 30 days. The Company also enters into foreign exchange contracts to reduce its exposure to currency translation. Under forward contract arrangements, the Company typically agrees to purchase a fixed amount of U.S. dollars in exchange for a fixed amount of a foreign currency on specified dates with maturities of three months or less. These transactions do not qualify for hedge accounting. Net gains and losses recorded as a component of "Other income, net" in the unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations related to these contracts for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 is as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2015 2014 2015 2014 Realized gains (losses) on derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments $ 90 $ 86 $ 516 $ (21 ) The Company had the following notional amounts outstanding under foreign currency contracts that do not qualify for hedge accounting at June 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014 (in thousands): June 30, 2015: Buy Currency Notional Amount Sell Currency Maturity Notional Amount Fair Value of Fair Value of U.S. Dollar 1,296 Japanese Yen July to September 2015 160,000 $ 6 $ — British Pound 1,143 Euro July 2015 1,600 8 — U.S. Dollar 583 Taiwan Dollar July 2015 18,000 — — U.S. Dollar 534 British Pound July 2015 840 1 — Euro 10,100 U.S. Dollar July 2015 11,368 — 66 U.S. Dollar 759 Japanese Yen July 2015 93,000 8 — U.S. Dollar 793 Israeli Shekel July 2015 3,000 — 5 Euro 232 Japanese Yen July 2015 32,000 2 — U.S. Dollar 60 Korean Won July 2015 67,000 — 1 Total notional amounts outstanding $ 25 $ 72 September 30, 2014: Buy Currency Notional Amount Sell Currency Maturity Notional Amount Fair Value of Fair Value of U.S. Dollar 1,736 Japanese Yen October 2014 to December 2014 190,000 $ — $ 11 U.S. Dollar 1,395 Euro October 2014 1,100 — 16 U.S. Dollar 656 Taiwan Dollar October 2014 20,000 — 5 U.S. Dollar 650 British Pound October 2014 400 — 5 U.S. Dollar 731 Israeli Shekel October 2014 2,700 — 5 U.S. Dollar 76 Korean Won October 2014 80,000 — 1 British Pound 3,513 Euro October 2014 4,500 — 15 Total notional amounts outstanding $ — $ 58 The fair values of the forward contracts described above are recorded in the Company's unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets as "Prepaid expenses and other current assets" and "Accrued expenses and other current liabilities". Stock Warrants The BioCision warrant agreements contain net share settlement provisions, which permit the Company to pay the warrant exercise price using shares issuable under the warrants (“cashless exercise”). The value of the stock warrants will fluctuate primarily in relation to the value of BioCision's underlying securities, either providing an appreciation in value or potentially expiring with no value. Gains and losses on the revaluation of the stock warrants are recognized in "Other income, net" on the unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income. See Note 17 “Fair Value Measurements” for further information regarding the fair value of the stock warrants.

Marketable Securities

Marketable Securities	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Marketable Securities	Marketable Securities The Company invests in marketable securities and classifies them as available-for-sale. The Company records these securities at fair value. Marketable securities reported as current assets represent investments that mature within one year from the balance sheet date. Long-term marketable securities represent investments with maturity dates greater than one year from the balance sheet date. At the time that the maturity dates of these investments become one year or less, the securities are reclassified to current assets. Unrealized gains and losses are excluded from earnings and reported as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income until the security is sold or matures. At the time of sale, any gains or losses, calculated by the specific identification method, are recognized in earnings as a component of operating results. The following is a summary of marketable securities (included in short and long-term marketable securities in the unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets), including accrued interest receivable, as of June 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014 (in thousands): Amortized Gross Gross Fair Value June 30, 2015: U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies $ 39,051 $ 23 $ (10 ) $ 39,064 Corporate securities 54,554 14 (55 ) 54,513 Mortgage-backed securities 875 30 — 905 Other debt securities 6,176 3 (1 ) 6,178 Municipal securities 19,414 — (28 ) 19,386 Bank certificate of deposits 14,913 1 (1 ) 14,913 Total marketable securities $ 134,983 $ 71 $ (95 ) $ 134,959 September 30, 2014: U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies $ 26,052 $ 1 $ (39 ) $ 26,014 Corporate securities 74,614 23 (174 ) 74,463 Mortgage-backed securities 964 36 — 1,000 Other debt securities 7,358 — (10 ) 7,348 Municipal securities 15,888 1 (16 ) 15,873 Bank certificate of deposits 26,645 2 (3 ) 26,644 Total marketable securities $ 151,521 $ 63 $ (242 ) $ 151,342 The fair values of the marketable securities at June 30, 2015 by contractual maturity, are shown below (in thousands): Fair Value Due in one year or less $ 61,555 Due after one year through five years 70,096 Due after ten years 3,308 Total marketable securities $ 134,959 Expected maturities could differ from contractual maturities because the issuers of the securities may have the right to prepay obligations without prepayment penalties.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	Fair Value Measurements The fair value measurement guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The standard describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value: Level 1 : Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset and liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. Level 2 : Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. Level 3 : Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. Assets and liabilities of the Company measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014 are summarized as follows (in thousands): Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using Description June 30, Quoted Prices in Significant Other Significant Assets Cash equivalents $ 8,893 $ 8,145 $ 748 $ — Available-for-sale securities 134,959 — 134,959 — Foreign exchange contracts 25 — 25 — Convertible debt securities 5,385 — — 5,385 Stock warrants 69 — — 69 Total Assets $ 149,331 $ 8,145 $ 135,732 $ 5,454 Liabilities Foreign exchange contracts $ 72 $ — $ 72 $ — The convertible debt securities and stock warrants are included in "Other assets" in the unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets. Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using Description September 30, Quoted Prices in Significant Other Significant Assets Cash equivalents $ 6,404 $ 5,166 $ 1,238 $ — Available-for-sale securities 151,342 — 151,342 — Total Assets $ 157,746 $ 5,166 $ 152,580 $ — Liabilities Foreign exchange contracts $ 58 $ — $ 58 $ — Cash Equivalents Cash equivalents of $8.1 million and $5.2 million at June 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014, respectively, consisting of Money Market Funds, are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using quoted market prices in active markets. Cash equivalents of $0.7 million and $1.2 million at June 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014, respectively, consisting primarily of Bank Certificate of Deposits, are classified within Level 2 of the hierarchy because they are not actively traded. Available-For-Sale Securities Available-for-sale securities of $135.0 million and $151.3 million at June 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014, respectively, consisting of Municipal Securities, Bank Certificate of Deposits, Commercial Paper, U.S. Treasury Securities, Obligations of U.S. Government Agency Securities, and Mortgage-Backed Securities are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy because they are not actively traded and are valued using matrix pricing and benchmarking. Matrix pricing is a mathematical technique used to value securities by relying on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted prices. Foreign Exchange Contracts Foreign exchange contract assets and liabilities are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy because there may not be an active market for each contract. However, the inputs used to calculate the value of the contract are obtained from an active market. Convertible Debt Securities The convertible debt valuation analysis was based on the probability-weighted expected return method (“PWERM”) utilizing various scenarios for the expected payout of the instrument covering the full range of the potential outcomes. The PWERM determines the value of an asset, based upon an analysis of future values for the subject asset, which takes into consideration the full range of the potential value of the subject asset. The asset value is based upon the present value of the probability of each future outcome becoming available to the asset, and the economic rights and preferences of each asset. Stock Warrants The warrant valuation analysis utilized the Black-Scholes model to determine the fair value of the warrant assets. When applied to a warrant, the Black-Scholes model incorporates the constant price variation of the underlying asset, the time value of money, the warrant’s strike price and the time to the warrant’s expiration date. The fair value of the warrants was determined utilizing a five year equity volatility percentage, based on an average equity volatility derived from comparable public companies. The following table presents the reconciliation for all assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) (in thousands): Convertible Debt Securities Stock Warrants Total Balance at September 30, 2014 $ — $ — $ — Additions (1) 4,934 75 5,009 Change in fair value 451 (6 ) 445 Balance at June 30, 2015 $ 5,385 $ 69 $ 5,454 _________________ (1) Refer to Note 13, "Equity Method Investments". Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements In addition to the assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis, the Company has a note receivable that is measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. During the third quarter of fiscal year 2014, the Company evaluated the recoverability of a loan provided to the Borrower and adjusted it to fair value. The loan is represented by a note receivable, which is classified as a Level 3 input within the fair value hierarchy since the inputs used in the analysis are unobservable and require significant management judgment. During the third quarter of fiscal 2014, the fair value of the loan was determined by considering the fair value of the collateral using valuation techniques, principally the discounted cash flow method, and the subordination of the Company’s note to debt provided by a new lender, as described in Note 14, "Note Receivable." The fair value of the loan could be different under different conditions or different assumptions, including the varying assumptions regarding future cash flows of the Borrower or discount rates.

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies Capital Lease Obligation In March 2014, the Company exercised an option to renew the lease of a building and the related land on the Company's Chelmsford, Massachusetts campus. The Company has leased this building since 2002. By exercising this option, the Company has also contracted to purchase the building at the end of the lease period. The assets acquired under the lease were recorded at the net present value of the minimum lease payments which was then allocated to the building and the land based on their relative fair values. The gross values of the building and the land under the capital lease amount to $6.4 million and $2.1 million as of June 30, 2015, respectively, and are included in the unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets within "Property, plant and equipment". Depreciation expense related to the building is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the asset. Accumulated amortization related to the building under the capital lease was $0.2 million and $0.1 million at June 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014, respectively. The obligation related to the capital lease is recorded as a short-term or long-term capital lease obligation in the unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets depending on the payments due date. The future minimum lease payments required under the capital lease and the present value of the net minimum lease payments, as of June 30, 2015, are as follows (in thousands): Year ended September 30, 2015 $ 220 2016 881 2017 881 2018 6,901 Total minimum lease payments 8,883 Less: amounts representing interest 953 Total capital lease obligation 7,930 Less: current portion of capital lease obligation 881 Long-term capital lease obligation $ 7,049 Letters of Credit At June 30, 2015, the Company had approximately $5.9 million of letters of credit outstanding related primarily to customer advances and other performance obligations. These arrangements guarantee the refund of advance payments received from customers in the event that the product is not delivered or warranty obligations are not fulfilled in compliance with the terms of the contract. While the Company does not anticipate that these obligations will be called, they could be called by the beneficiaries at any time before the expiration date of the particular letter of credit should the Company fail to meet certain contractual requirements. Contingencies The Company is subject to various legal proceedings, both asserted and unasserted, that arise in the ordinary course of business. The Company cannot predict the ultimate outcome of such legal proceedings or in certain instances provide reasonable ranges of potential losses. However, as of the date of this report, the Company believes that none of these claims will have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial condition or results of operations. In the event of unexpected subsequent developments and given the inherent unpredictability of these legal proceedings, there can be no assurance that the Company's assessment of any claim will reflect the ultimate outcome and an adverse outcome in certain matters could, from time to time, have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial condition or results of operations in particular quarterly or annual periods.

Subsequent Events

Subsequent Events	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	Subsequent Events On August 5, 2015 , the Company’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.10 per share payable on September 25, 2015 to common stockholders of record as of September 4, 2015 . Dividends are declared at the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors and depend on the Company's actual cash flows from operations, its financial condition and capital requirements and any other factors the Company’s Board of Directors may consider relevant. Future dividend declarations, as well as the record and payment dates for such dividends, will be determined by the Company’s Board of Directors on a quarterly basis.

Stock-Based Compensation (Table

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock-Based Compensation Expense	The following table reflects stock-based compensation expense, excluding amounts related to discontinued operations, recorded during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2015 2014 2015 2014 Restricted stock units $ 2,289 $ 2,149 $ 9,173 $ 8,442 Employee stock purchase plan 113 109 337 334 Total stock-based compensation $ 2,402 $ 2,258 $ 9,510 $ 8,776
Stock Option Activity	The following table summarizes stock option activity for the nine months ended June 30, 2015: Number of Options Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term Weighted Average Exercise Price Aggregate Intrinsic Value (In Thousands) Outstanding at September 30, 2014 5,550 $ 13.20 Forfeited/expired (5,550 ) 13.20 Outstanding at June 30, 2015 — 0.0 years $ — $ — Vested at June 30, 2015 — 0.0 years $ — $ — Options exercisable at June 30, 2015 — 0.0 years $ — $ —
Status of Restricted Stock Activity and Changes	The following table summarizes restricted stock unit activity for the nine months ended June 30, 2015: Restricted Stock Units Weighted Outstanding at September 30, 2014 2,726,485 $ 11.05 Restricted stock units granted 1,484,781 11.93 Restricted stock units vested (672,453 ) 11.91 Restricted stock units canceled (266,736 ) 10.60 Outstanding at June 30, 2015 3,272,077 $ 11.91 The following table reflects restricted stock units granted, including 8,500 of time-based awards related to the discontinued operation, during the nine months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014: Total Units Time-Based Units Stock Grants Performance-Based Units Nine months ended June 30, 2015 1,484,781 568,750 69,281 846,750 Nine months ended June 30, 2014 1,517,057 600,750 77,557 838,750

Acquisitions (Tables)

Acquisitions (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Pro Forma Information	The following pro forma summary presents consolidated information of the Company as if the acquisition of DMS occurred on October 1, 2013 (in thousands): Three Months Ended June 30, 2014 Nine Months Ended June 30, 2014 Revenue $ 119,580 $ 379,433 Net income attributable to Brooks Automation, Inc. 21,291 26,384
FluidX [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Amounts of Assets and Liabilities at Fair Value as of Acquisition Date	The Company recorded the assets and liabilities associated with FluidX at their fair values as of the acquisition date. The preliminary amounts recorded were as follows (in thousands): Accounts receivable $ 1,980 Inventory 2,857 Prepaid and other current assets 213 Property, plant and equipment 101 Completed technology 1,230 Trademarks and trade names 750 Customer relationships 4,810 Goodwill 8,247 Accounts payable (2,079 ) Deferred revenue (72 ) Accrued liabilities (992 ) Long-term deferred tax liabilities (1,540 ) Total purchase price, net of cash acquired $ 15,505
Dynamic Micro Systems
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Amounts of Assets and Liabilities at Fair Value as of Acquisition Date	The Company recorded the assets and liabilities associated with DMS at their fair values as of the acquisition date. The amounts recorded were as follows (in thousands): Accounts receivable $ 15,262 Inventory 9,750 Prepaid and other current assets 2,727 Property, plant and equipment 2,049 Completed technology 3,610 Customer relationships 7,100 Goodwill 11,939 Accounts payable (10,393 ) Accrued liabilities (5,522 ) Deferred revenue (1,309 ) Long-term deferred tax liabilities (3,588 ) Total purchase price, net of cash acquired $ 31,625

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Components of Goodwill by Business Segment	The components of the Company’s goodwill, excluding amounts related to the discontinued operations, by business segment at June 30, 2015 are as follows (in thousands): Brooks Brooks Brooks Other Total Gross goodwill at September 30, 2014 $ 494,275 $ 156,792 $ 47,378 $ 26,014 $ 724,459 Less: aggregate impairment charges recorded (437,706 ) (151,238 ) — (26,014 ) (614,958 ) Goodwill, less accumulated impairments at September 30, 2014 56,569 5,554 47,378 — 109,501 Acquisitions and adjustments during the nine months ended June 30, 2015 509 — 8,247 — 8,756 Goodwill, less accumulated impairments at June 30, 2015 $ 57,078 $ 5,554 $ 55,625 $ — $ 118,257
Components of Identifiable Intangible Assets	Components of the Company’s identifiable intangible assets, excluding amounts related to the discontinued operations, are as follows (in thousands): June 30, 2015 September 30, 2014 Cost Accumulated Net Book Cost Accumulated Net Book Patents $ 7,808 $ 7,370 $ 438 $ 7,808 $ 7,300 $ 508 Completed technology 58,516 45,474 13,042 57,155 41,539 15,616 Trademarks and trade names 4,243 3,578 665 3,496 3,496 — Customer relationships 78,282 35,656 42,626 73,389 29,963 43,426 Total intangible assets $ 148,849 $ 92,078 $ 56,771 $ 141,848 $ 82,298 $ 59,550

Earnings per Share (Tables)

Earnings per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Reconciliation of Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding for Purposes of Calculating Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share	A reconciliation of weighted average common shares outstanding for purposes of calculating basic and diluted earnings per share is as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2015 2014 2015 2014 Weighted average common shares outstanding used in computing basic earnings per share 67,454 66,751 67,321 66,583 Dilutive common stock options and restricted stock units 1,117 902 1,199 945 Weighted average common shares outstanding for purposes of computing diluted earnings per share 68,571 67,653 68,520 67,528

Segment Information (Tables)

Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Financial Information for Business Segments	Financial information for the Company’s business segments, excluding amounts related to the discontinued operations, is as follows (in thousands): Brooks Brooks Brooks Total Three Months Ended June 30, 2015 Revenue Product $ 104,533 $ 4,154 $ 12,129 $ 120,816 Services — 19,399 4,679 24,078 Total revenue $ 104,533 $ 23,553 $ 16,808 $ 144,894 Gross profit $ 38,285 $ 8,230 $ 4,672 $ 51,187 Segment operating income (loss) $ 13,470 $ 3,692 $ (4,656 ) $ 12,506 Three Months Ended June 30, 2014 Revenue Product $ 75,367 $ 3,392 $ 14,464 $ 93,223 Services — 20,246 3,890 24,136 Total revenue $ 75,367 $ 23,638 $ 18,354 $ 117,359 Gross profit $ 25,834 $ 8,399 $ 6,513 $ 40,746 Segment operating income (loss) $ 451 $ 3,784 $ (1,110 ) $ 3,125 Nine Months Ended June 30, 2015 Revenue Product $ 286,347 $ 12,390 $ 38,204 $ 336,941 Services — 57,197 12,805 70,002 Total revenue $ 286,347 $ 69,587 $ 51,009 $ 406,943 Gross profit $ 99,202 $ 23,736 $ 13,362 $ 136,300 Segment operating income (loss) $ 21,927 $ 9,353 $ (14,563 ) $ 16,717 Nine Months Ended June 30, 2014 Revenue Product $ 246,820 $ 11,044 $ 31,023 $ 288,887 Services — 59,304 12,140 71,444 Total revenue $ 246,820 $ 70,348 $ 43,163 $ 360,331 Gross profit $ 86,295 $ 23,900 $ 15,740 $ 125,935 Segment operating income (loss) $ 10,906 $ 8,875 $ (8,150 ) $ 11,631 Assets June 30, 2015 $ 267,150 $ 57,075 $ 115,230 $ 439,455 September 30, 2014 $ 252,944 $ 58,678 $ 103,498 $ 415,120
Reconciliation of Reportable Segment Operating Income (Loss) to Corresponding Consolidated Amounts	A reconciliation of the Company’s reportable segment operating income (loss) to the corresponding consolidated amounts for the three and nine month periods ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 is as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2015 2014 2015 2014 Segment operating income $ 12,506 $ 3,125 $ 16,717 $ 11,631 Amortization of acquired intangible assets 1,917 1,606 5,743 4,522 Restructuring and other charges 358 3,122 3,711 4,641 Impairment of variable interest entity note receivable — 2,621 — 2,621 Other unallocated corporate expenses 61 1,686 520 1,903 Total operating income (loss) $ 10,170 $ (5,910 ) $ 6,743 $ (2,056 )
Reconciliation of Reportable Segment Assets to Corresponding Consolidated Amounts	A reconciliation of the Company’s reportable segment assets to the corresponding consolidated amounts as of June 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014 is as follows (in thousands): June 30, September 30, Segment assets $ 439,455 $ 415,120 Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities 214,629 245,456 Deferred tax assets 87,593 86,572 Equity method investments 26,760 28,944 Other unallocated corporate net assets 1,936 1,946 Total assets $ 770,373 $ 778,038

Restructuring and Other Charg31

Restructuring and Other Charges (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Activity Related to Restructuring Accruals	The activity for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 related to the Company's restructuring-related accruals, excluding amounts related to the discontinued operations, is summarized below (in thousands): Activity — Three Months Ended June 30, 2015 Balance at Expenses Payments Balance at Facilities and other $ 904 $ — $ (241 ) $ 663 Workforce-related 2,393 358 (753 ) 1,998 Total restructuring liabilities $ 3,297 $ 358 $ (994 ) $ 2,661 Activity — Three Months Ended June 30, 2014 Balance at Expenses Payments Balance at Facilities and other $ — $ 150 $ (58 ) $ 92 Workforce-related 1,552 2,972 (665 ) 3,859 Total restructuring liabilities $ 1,552 $ 3,122 $ (723 ) $ 3,951 Activity — Nine Months Ended June 30, 2015 Balance at Expenses Payments Balance at Facilities and other $ 71 $ 1,205 $ (613 ) $ 663 Workforce-related 3,404 2,506 (3,912 ) 1,998 Total restructuring liabilities $ 3,475 $ 3,711 $ (4,525 ) $ 2,661 Activity — Nine Months Ended June 30, 2014 Balance at Expenses Payments Balance at Facilities and other $ 155 $ 163 $ (226 ) $ 92 Workforce-related 1,257 4,478 (1,876 ) 3,859 Total restructuring liabilities $ 1,412 $ 4,641 $ (2,102 ) $ 3,951

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Components of Net Pension Cost	The components of the Company’s net pension cost for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 are as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2015 2014 2015 2014 Service cost $ 122 $ 102 $ 370 $ 304 Interest cost 32 40 96 118 Amortization of losses — — — 1 Expected return on assets (54 ) (53 ) (165 ) (161 ) Net periodic pension cost $ 100 $ 89 $ 301 $ 262

Other Balance Sheet Informati33

Other Balance Sheet Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Summary of Accounts Receivable	The following is a summary of accounts receivable at June 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014 (in thousands): June 30, September 30, Accounts receivable $ 102,238 $ 81,270 Less: allowance for doubtful accounts (1,142 ) (1,031 ) Less: allowance for sales returns (123 ) (133 ) Accounts receivable, net $ 100,973 $ 80,106
Summary of Inventories	The following is a summary of inventories at June 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014, excluding amounts related to discontinued operations (in thousands): June 30, September 30, Inventories: Raw materials and purchased parts $ 57,400 $ 57,250 Work-in-process 21,795 20,068 Finished goods 15,972 16,249 Total inventories $ 95,167 $ 93,567
Product Warranty and Retrofit Activity on Gross Basis	Product warranty and retrofit activity on a gross basis for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, excluding amounts related to discontinued operations, is as follows (in thousands): Activity - Three Months Ended June 30, 2015 Balance at Adjustments for Accruals Costs Incurred Balance at $ 6,203 $ — $ 2,725 $ (2,744 ) $ 6,184 Activity - Three Months Ended June 30, 2014 Balance at Adjustments for Accruals Costs Incurred Balance at $ 6,319 $ 364 $ 3,017 $ (2,879 ) $ 6,821 Activity - Nine Months Ended June 30, 2015 Balance at Adjustments for Accruals Costs Incurred Balance at $ 6,499 $ 81 $ 7,870 $ (8,266 ) $ 6,184 Activity - Nine Months Ended June 30, 2014 Balance at Adjustments for Accruals Costs Incurred Balance at $ 7,260 $ 364 $ 7,167 $ (7,970 ) $ 6,821

Derivative Instruments (Tables)

Derivative Instruments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Notional Amounts Outstanding under Foreign Currency Contracts	The Company had the following notional amounts outstanding under foreign currency contracts that do not qualify for hedge accounting at June 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014 (in thousands): June 30, 2015: Buy Currency Notional Amount Sell Currency Maturity Notional Amount Fair Value of Fair Value of U.S. Dollar 1,296 Japanese Yen July to September 2015 160,000 $ 6 $ — British Pound 1,143 Euro July 2015 1,600 8 — U.S. Dollar 583 Taiwan Dollar July 2015 18,000 — — U.S. Dollar 534 British Pound July 2015 840 1 — Euro 10,100 U.S. Dollar July 2015 11,368 — 66 U.S. Dollar 759 Japanese Yen July 2015 93,000 8 — U.S. Dollar 793 Israeli Shekel July 2015 3,000 — 5 Euro 232 Japanese Yen July 2015 32,000 2 — U.S. Dollar 60 Korean Won July 2015 67,000 — 1 Total notional amounts outstanding $ 25 $ 72 September 30, 2014: Buy Currency Notional Amount Sell Currency Maturity Notional Amount Fair Value of Fair Value of U.S. Dollar 1,736 Japanese Yen October 2014 to December 2014 190,000 $ — $ 11 U.S. Dollar 1,395 Euro October 2014 1,100 — 16 U.S. Dollar 656 Taiwan Dollar October 2014 20,000 — 5 U.S. Dollar 650 British Pound October 2014 400 — 5 U.S. Dollar 731 Israeli Shekel October 2014 2,700 — 5 U.S. Dollar 76 Korean Won October 2014 80,000 — 1 British Pound 3,513 Euro October 2014 4,500 — 15 Total notional amounts outstanding $ — $ 58
Schedule of Net Gains and Losses Realized on Derivative Instruments	Net gains and losses recorded as a component of "Other income, net" in the unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations related to these contracts for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 is as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2015 2014 2015 2014 Realized gains (losses) on derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments $ 90 $ 86 $ 516 $ (21 )

Marketable Securities (Tables)

Marketable Securities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Summary of Marketable Securities Including Accrued Interest Receivable	The following is a summary of marketable securities (included in short and long-term marketable securities in the unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets), including accrued interest receivable, as of June 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014 (in thousands): Amortized Gross Gross Fair Value June 30, 2015: U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies $ 39,051 $ 23 $ (10 ) $ 39,064 Corporate securities 54,554 14 (55 ) 54,513 Mortgage-backed securities 875 30 — 905 Other debt securities 6,176 3 (1 ) 6,178 Municipal securities 19,414 — (28 ) 19,386 Bank certificate of deposits 14,913 1 (1 ) 14,913 Total marketable securities $ 134,983 $ 71 $ (95 ) $ 134,959 September 30, 2014: U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies $ 26,052 $ 1 $ (39 ) $ 26,014 Corporate securities 74,614 23 (174 ) 74,463 Mortgage-backed securities 964 36 — 1,000 Other debt securities 7,358 — (10 ) 7,348 Municipal securities 15,888 1 (16 ) 15,873 Bank certificate of deposits 26,645 2 (3 ) 26,644 Total marketable securities $ 151,521 $ 63 $ (242 ) $ 151,342
Fair Value of Marketable Securities by Contractual Maturity	The fair values of the marketable securities at June 30, 2015 by contractual maturity, are shown below (in thousands): Fair Value Due in one year or less $ 61,555 Due after one year through five years 70,096 Due after ten years 3,308 Total marketable securities $ 134,959

Fair Value Measurements (Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis	Assets and liabilities of the Company measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014 are summarized as follows (in thousands): Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using Description June 30, Quoted Prices in Significant Other Significant Assets Cash equivalents $ 8,893 $ 8,145 $ 748 $ — Available-for-sale securities 134,959 — 134,959 — Foreign exchange contracts 25 — 25 — Convertible debt securities 5,385 — — 5,385 Stock warrants 69 — — 69 Total Assets $ 149,331 $ 8,145 $ 135,732 $ 5,454 Liabilities Foreign exchange contracts $ 72 $ — $ 72 $ — The convertible debt securities and stock warrants are included in "Other assets" in the unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets. Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using Description September 30, Quoted Prices in Significant Other Significant Assets Cash equivalents $ 6,404 $ 5,166 $ 1,238 $ — Available-for-sale securities 151,342 — 151,342 — Total Assets $ 157,746 $ 5,166 $ 152,580 $ — Liabilities Foreign exchange contracts $ 58 $ — $ 58 $ —
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation	The following table presents the reconciliation for all assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) (in thousands): Convertible Debt Securities Stock Warrants Total Balance at September 30, 2014 $ — $ — $ — Additions (1) 4,934 75 5,009 Change in fair value 451 (6 ) 445 Balance at June 30, 2015 $ 5,385 $ 69 $ 5,454

Commitments and Contingencies (

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments for Capital Leases	The future minimum lease payments required under the capital lease and the present value of the net minimum lease payments, as of June 30, 2015, are as follows (in thousands): Year ended September 30, 2015 $ 220 2016 881 2017 881 2018 6,901 Total minimum lease payments 8,883 Less: amounts representing interest 953 Total capital lease obligation 7,930 Less: current portion of capital lease obligation 881 Long-term capital lease obligation $ 7,049

Stock-Based Compensation Narrat

Stock-Based Compensation Narrative (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stocks granted			1,484,781	1,517,057
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans	0	0	96,415	115,132
Proceeds from Issuance of Shares under Incentive and Share-based Compensation Plans, Including Stock Options			$ 0.9	$ 1
Restricted Stock, Time Based Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stocks granted			568,750	600,750
Board of Director Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stocks granted			69,281	77,557
Restricted Stock, Performance Based Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Percentage of Performance-Based Units Awarded, Maximum			100.00%
Restricted stocks granted			846,750	838,750
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Potentially Vested Shares				1,297,546
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Potentially Vested Shares, Amount Greater than Target				458,796
Restricted stock units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stocks granted			1,484,781
Fair value of restricted stock awards vested	$ 0.2		$ 8	$ 5.1
Unrecognized compensation cost	$ 14.2		$ 14.2
Unrecognized compensation cost, estimated weighted average amortization period			1 year 7 months
Maximum [Member] | Restricted Stock, Performance Based Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Percentage of Performance-Based Units Awarded, Maximum			200.00%
Minimum | Restricted Stock, Performance Based Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Percentage of Performance-Based Units Awarded, Maximum			0.00%
Discontinued Operations [Member] | Restricted Stock, Time Based Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stocks granted			8,500

Stock-Based Compensation Stock-

Stock-Based Compensation Stock-Based Compensation Expense (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation			$ 9,510	$ 8,774
Continuing Operations
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation	$ 2,402	$ 2,258	9,510	8,776
Continuing Operations | Restricted stock units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation	2,289	2,149	9,173	8,442
Continuing Operations | Employee stock purchase plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation	$ 113	$ 109	$ 337	$ 334

Stock-Based Compensation Stock

Stock-Based Compensation Stock Option Activity (Detail) - Jun. 30, 2015 - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	Total
Number of Stock Options
Options outstanding at beginning of period (shares)	5,550
Options forfeited / expired (shares)	(5,550)
Options outstanding at end of period (shares)	0
Vested at end of period (shares)	0
Options exercisable at end of period (shares)	0
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term
Options outstanding at end of period
Vested at end of period
Options exercisable at end of period
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Options outstanding at beginning of period (USD per share)	$ 13.20
Options forfeited / expired (USD per share)	13.20
Options outstanding at end of year (USD per share)	0
Vested at end of period (USD per share)	0
Options exercisable at end of period (USD per share)	$ 0
Options outstanding at end of period	$ 0
Vested at end of period	0
Options exercisable at end of period	$ 0

Stock-Based Compensation Status

Stock-Based Compensation Status of Restricted Stock Activity and Changes (Detail) - $ / shares	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Shares
Awards granted (shares)	1,484,781	1,517,057
Restricted Stock, Time Based Shares [Member]
Shares
Awards granted (shares)	568,750	600,750
Board of Director Units [Member]
Shares
Awards granted (shares)	69,281	77,557
Restricted Stock, Performance Based Shares [Member]
Shares
Awards granted (shares)	846,750	838,750
Restricted stock units
Shares
Outstanding at Beginning of period (shares)	2,726,485
Awards granted (shares)	1,484,781
Awards vested (shares)	(672,453)
Awards canceled (shares)	(266,736)
Outstanding at End of period (shares)	3,272,077
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Outstanding at beginning of period (USD per share)	$ 11.05
Awards granted (USD per share)	11.93
Awards vested (USD per share)	11.91
Awards canceled (USD per share)	10.60
Outstanding at end of period (USD per share)	$ 11.91

Discontinued Operations - Narra

Discontinued Operations - Narrative (Details) - Granville-Phillips [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 19, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Sales price	$ 87
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Revenue		$ 4.4	$ 19.3

Acquisitions Narrative (Detail)

Acquisitions Narrative (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Feb. 03, 2015	Oct. 01, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition, net of cash acquired							$ 17,257	$ 37,832
Goodwill, Period Increase (Decrease)							8,800
Amortization of acquired intangible assets				$ 1,917		$ 1,606	5,743	$ 4,522
FluidX [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition, net of cash acquired		$ 15,505
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Adjustment, Equity Interests	$ 100
Escrow Reserve				1,600			1,600
Business Combination, Pro Forma Information, Revenue of Acquiree since Acquisition Date, Actual				3,800			11,200
Business Combination, Pro Forma Information, Earnings or Loss of Acquiree since Acquisition Date, Actual				(300)			(500)
Inventory Step Up				0			1,000
Amortization of acquired intangible assets				300			1,000
FluidX [Member] | Completed Technology
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Useful life of intangible assets acquired		7 years
FluidX [Member] | Trademarks [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Useful life of intangible assets acquired		7 years
FluidX [Member] | Customer Relationships
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Useful life of intangible assets acquired		7 years
Dynamic Micro Systems
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition, net of cash acquired			$ 31,625
Escrow Reserve				2,800			2,800
Business Combination, Pro Forma Information, Revenue of Acquiree since Acquisition Date, Actual				11,000			27,100
Business Combination, Pro Forma Information, Earnings or Loss of Acquiree since Acquisition Date, Actual				700			500
Goodwill, Period Increase (Decrease)				300	$ 300
Inventory Step Up				0			600
Amortization of acquired intangible assets				$ 600			$ 1,700
Escrow Refund, Equity issued in Business Combination, Fair Value Adjustment					$ 2,200
Dynamic Micro Systems | Completed Technology
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Useful life of intangible assets acquired			5 years
Dynamic Micro Systems | Customer Relationships
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Useful life of intangible assets acquired			8 years

Goodwill and Intangible Asset44

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Components of Goodwill by Business Segment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Gross goodwill at September 30, 2014	$ 724,459
Less: aggregate impairment charges recorded		$ (614,958)
Goodwill, less accumulated impairments at September 30, 2014	109,501
Acquisitions and adjustments during the nine months ended June 30, 2015	8,756
Goodwill, less accumulated impairments at June 30, 2015	118,257
Brooks Product Solutions
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Gross goodwill at September 30, 2014	494,275
Less: aggregate impairment charges recorded		(437,706)
Goodwill, less accumulated impairments at September 30, 2014	56,569
Acquisitions and adjustments during the nine months ended June 30, 2015	509
Goodwill, less accumulated impairments at June 30, 2015	57,078
Brooks Global Services
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Gross goodwill at September 30, 2014	156,792
Less: aggregate impairment charges recorded		(151,238)
Goodwill, less accumulated impairments at September 30, 2014	5,554
Acquisitions and adjustments during the nine months ended June 30, 2015	0
Goodwill, less accumulated impairments at June 30, 2015	5,554
Brooks Life Science Systems
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Gross goodwill at September 30, 2014	47,378
Less: aggregate impairment charges recorded		0
Goodwill, less accumulated impairments at September 30, 2014	47,378
Acquisitions and adjustments during the nine months ended June 30, 2015	8,247
Goodwill, less accumulated impairments at June 30, 2015	55,625
Other
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Gross goodwill at September 30, 2014	26,014
Less: aggregate impairment charges recorded		$ (26,014)
Goodwill, less accumulated impairments at September 30, 2014	0
Acquisitions and adjustments during the nine months ended June 30, 2015	0
Goodwill, less accumulated impairments at June 30, 2015	$ 0

Acquisitions Amounts of Assets

Acquisitions Amounts of Assets and Liabilities at Fair Value as of Acquisition Date (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 01, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill			$ 118,257		$ 109,501
Total purchase price, net of cash acquired			$ 17,257	$ 37,832
FluidX [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Accounts receivable	$ 1,980
Inventory	2,857
Prepaid and other current assets	213
Property, plant and equipment	101
Goodwill	8,247
Accounts payable	(2,079)
Accrued liabilities	(72)
Deferred revenue	(992)
Long-term deferred tax liabilities	(1,540)
Total purchase price, net of cash acquired	15,505
FluidX [Member] | Completed Technology
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangibles	1,230
FluidX [Member] | Trademarks [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangibles	750
FluidX [Member] | Customer Relationships
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangibles	$ 4,810
Dynamic Micro Systems
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Accounts receivable		$ 15,262
Inventory		9,750
Prepaid and other current assets		2,727
Property, plant and equipment		2,049
Goodwill		11,939
Accounts payable		(10,393)
Accrued liabilities		(5,522)
Deferred revenue		(1,309)
Long-term deferred tax liabilities		(3,588)
Total purchase price, net of cash acquired		31,625
Dynamic Micro Systems | Completed Technology
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangibles		3,610
Dynamic Micro Systems | Customer Relationships
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangibles		$ 7,100

Goodwill and Intangible Asset46

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Components of Identifiable Intangible Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	$ 148,849	$ 141,848
Accumulated Amortization	92,078	82,298
Net Book Value	56,771	59,550
Patents
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	7,808	7,808
Accumulated Amortization	7,370	7,300
Net Book Value	438	508
Completed Technology
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	58,516	57,155
Accumulated Amortization	45,474	41,539
Net Book Value	13,042	15,616
Trademarks and Trade Names
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	4,243	3,496
Accumulated Amortization	3,578	3,496
Net Book Value	665	0
Customer Relationships
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	78,282	73,389
Accumulated Amortization	35,656	29,963
Net Book Value	$ 42,626	$ 43,426

Acquisitions Pro Forma Informat

Acquisitions Pro Forma Information (Details) - Jun. 30, 2014 - Dynamic Micro Systems - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Total
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 119,580	$ 379,433
Net income (loss) attributable to Brooks Automation, Inc.	$ 21,291	$ 26,384

Goodwill and Intangible Asset48

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Oct. 01, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Period Increase (Decrease)				$ 8,800
Goodwill	$ 118,257			118,257				$ 109,501
Impairment of intangible assets				$ 0	$ 398
FluidX [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill							$ 8,247
Dynamic Micro Systems
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Period Increase (Decrease)	$ 300	$ 300
Goodwill									$ 11,939
Celigo Cell Cytometer Product Line
Goodwill [Line Items]
Impairment of intangible assets			$ 400			$ 2,000

Income Taxes Narrative (Detail)

Income Taxes Narrative (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Income tax provision (benefit)	$ 3,340	$ (2,838)	$ 1,790	$ (928)
Reductions in unrecognized tax benefits from expiration		$ 700
Tax benefit recognized for research and development tax credit	900		900
Minimum
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Anticipated unrecognized tax benefit reduction during next twelve months	$ 1,300		$ 1,300

Earnings per Share Reconciliati

Earnings per Share Reconciliation of Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding for Purposes of Calculating Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail) - shares shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Weighted average common shares outstanding used in computing basic earnings per share	67,454	66,751	67,321	66,583
Dilutive common stock options and restricted stock units	1,117	902	1,199	945
Weighted average common shares outstanding for purposes of computing diluted earnings per share	68,571	67,653	68,520	67,528

Earnings per Share Narrative (D

Earnings per Share Narrative (Detail) - shares shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Stock Options
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from computation of diluted earnings per share	0	9	2	13
Restricted stock units
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from computation of diluted earnings per share	383	0	160	0

Segment Information Narrative (

Segment Information Narrative (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments	3

Segment Information Financial I

Segment Information Financial Information for Business Segments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
Revenue
Product	$ 120,816	$ 93,223	$ 336,941	$ 288,887
Services	24,078	24,136	70,002	71,444
Total revenues	144,894	117,359	406,943	360,331
Gross profit	51,187	40,746	136,300	125,935
Segment operating income (loss)	10,170	(5,910)	6,743	(2,056)
Total assets	770,373		770,373		$ 778,038
Brooks Product Solutions
Revenue
Product	104,533	75,367	286,347	246,820
Services	0	0	0	0
Total revenues	104,533	75,367	286,347	246,820
Gross profit	38,285	25,834	99,202	86,295
Segment operating income (loss)	13,470	451	21,927	10,906
Total assets	267,150		267,150		252,944
Brooks Global Services
Revenue
Product	4,154	3,392	12,390	11,044
Services	19,399	20,246	57,197	59,304
Total revenues	23,553	23,638	69,587	70,348
Gross profit	8,230	8,399	23,736	23,900
Segment operating income (loss)	3,692	3,784	9,353	8,875
Total assets	57,075		57,075		58,678
Brooks Life Science Systems
Revenue
Product	12,129	14,464	38,204	31,023
Services	4,679	3,890	12,805	12,140
Total revenues	16,808	18,354	51,009	43,163
Gross profit	4,672	6,513	13,362	15,740
Segment operating income (loss)	(4,656)	(1,110)	(14,563)	(8,150)
Total assets	115,230		115,230		103,498
Operating Segments
Revenue
Product	120,816	93,223	336,941	288,887
Services	24,078	24,136	70,002	71,444
Total revenues	144,894	117,359	406,943	360,331
Gross profit	51,187	40,746	136,300	125,935
Segment operating income (loss)	12,506	$ 3,125	16,717	$ 11,631
Total assets	$ 439,455		$ 439,455		$ 415,120

Segment Information Reconciliat

Segment Information Reconciliation of Reportable Segment Operating Income (Loss) to Corresponding Consolidated Amounts (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Amortization of acquired intangible assets	$ 1,917	$ 1,606	$ 5,743	$ 4,522
Restructuring and other charges	358	3,122	3,711	4,641
Other Asset Impairment Charges	0	2,621	0	2,621
Other unallocated corporate expenses	61	1,686	520	1,903
Operating income (loss)	10,170	(5,910)	6,743	(2,056)
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Operating income (loss)	$ 12,506	$ 3,125	$ 16,717	$ 11,631

Segment Information Reconcili55

Segment Information Reconciliation of Reportable Segment Assets to Corresponding Consolidated Amounts (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 22, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Segment assets	$ 770,373		$ 778,038
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities	214,629		245,456
Deferred tax assets	87,593		86,572
Investments in joint ventures	26,760	$ 2,500	28,944
Other unallocated corporate net assets	1,936		1,946
Total assets	770,373		778,038
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Segment assets	439,455		415,120
Total assets	$ 439,455		$ 415,120

Significant Customers Narrative

Significant Customers Narrative (Detail) - customer	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Number of major customer by revenue	1	0	1	1
Percentage of revenues from one customer	11.00%		12.00%	11.00%

Restructuring and Other Charg57

Restructuring and Other Charges Narrative (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	$ 358	$ 3,122		$ 3,711	$ 4,641
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost			$ 3,300
Workforce-related
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	358	2,972	2,100	2,506	4,478
Facilities and other
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	$ 0	$ 150	$ 1,200	$ 1,205	$ 163

Restructuring and Other Charg58

Restructuring and Other Charges Activity Related to Restructuring Accruals (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$ 3,297	$ 1,552	$ 3,475	$ 3,475	$ 1,412
Expenses	358	3,122		3,711	4,641
Payments	(994)	(723)		(4,525)	(2,102)
Ending Balance	2,661	3,951	3,297	2,661	3,951
Facilities and other
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	904	0	71	71	155
Expenses	0	150	1,200	1,205	163
Payments	(241)	(58)		(613)	(226)
Ending Balance	663	92	904	663	92
Workforce-related
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	2,393	1,552	3,404	3,404	1,257
Expenses	358	2,972	2,100	2,506	4,478
Payments	(753)	(665)		(3,912)	(1,876)
Ending Balance	$ 1,998	$ 3,859	$ 2,393	$ 1,998	$ 3,859

Employee Benefit Plans Narrativ

Employee Benefit Plans Narrative (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015Plan
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Number of Plans	2

Employee Benefit Plans Componen

Employee Benefit Plans Components of Net Pension Cost (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Service cost	$ 122	$ 102	$ 370	$ 304
Interest cost	32	40	96	118
Amortization of losses	0	0	0	1
Expected return on assets	(54)	(53)	(165)	(161)
Net periodic pension cost	$ 100	$ 89	$ 301	$ 262

Other Balance Sheet Informati61

Other Balance Sheet Information Summary of Account Receivable (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Accounts receivable	$ 102,238	$ 81,270
Accounts receivable, net	100,973	80,106
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Less allowances	(1,142)	(1,031)
Allowance for Sales Returns
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Less allowances	$ (123)	$ (133)

Other Balance Sheet Informati62

Other Balance Sheet Information Summary of Inventories (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Raw materials and purchased parts	$ 57,400	$ 57,250
Work-in-process	21,795	20,068
Finished goods	15,972	16,249
Inventory, net	95,167	93,567
Reserves for excess and obsolete inventory	$ 24,800	$ 26,000

Other Balance Sheet Informati63

Other Balance Sheet Information Product Warranty and Retrofit Activity on Gross Basis (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Beginning Balance	$ 6,203	$ 6,319	$ 6,499	$ 7,260
Adjustments for Acquisitions and Divestitures	0	364	81	364
Accruals	2,725	3,017	7,870	7,167
Costs Incurred	(2,744)	(2,879)	(8,266)	(7,970)
Ending Balance	$ 6,184	$ 6,821	$ 6,184	$ 6,821

Equity Method Investments Narra

Equity Method Investments Narrative (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 20, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 22, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity in earnings (losses) of equity method investments		$ 292	$ 71	$ (313)	$ 1,330
Goodwill		118,257		118,257			$ 109,501
Equity method investments		$ 26,760		$ 26,760		$ 2,500	28,944
Debt conversion, converted instrument, rate				9.00%
Equity method investment, additional financing						$ 5,000
BioCision, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Joint venture interest, percentage		20.00%		20.00%				22.00%
Equity in earnings (losses) of equity method investments		$ (200)	(100)	$ (700)	(100)
Investment cost								$ 4,000
Equity method investments		3,000		3,000			3,700
Convertible debt securities		5,400		5,400
Warrants aggregate fair value		100		100
Gain (Loss) on Convertible Debt Securities and Warrants Recognized in Earnings		$ 200		$ 500
ULVAC Cryogenics, Inc.
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Joint venture interest, percentage		50.00%		50.00%
Equity in earnings (losses) of equity method investments		$ 600	200	$ 900	1,400
Equity method investments		22,000		22,000			22,600
Management fee payments received		200		400	500
Charges incurred from related parties		100	200	200	300
Accounts payable for unpaid products and services		$ 100		$ 100
Yaskawa Brooks Automation, Inc.
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Joint venture interest, percentage		50.00%		50.00%
Equity in earnings (losses) of equity method investments		$ (69)	(70)	$ (500)	(100)
Payments to acquire businesses	$ 1,800
Goodwill	$ 200
Equity method investments		1,700		1,700			2,600
Charges incurred from related parties		47	100	1,000	400
Accounts payable for unpaid products and services		0		0			100
Revenues earned from joint ventures		0	$ 2,700	2,100	$ 5,600
Due from joint venture		$ 0		$ 0			$ 2,100

Note Receivable (Details)

Note Receivable (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2014
Obligation with Joint and Several Liability Arrangement [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Other Investments		$ 5,000	$ 0	$ 3,000
Loan interest rate				9.00%
Impairment charge	$ 2,600
Notes Receivable, Fair Value Disclosure		$ 1,300			$ 1,500
Subordinated Debt [Member]
Obligation with Joint and Several Liability Arrangement [Line Items]
Loan interest rate		10.00%

Derivative Instruments - Realiz

Derivative Instruments - Realized Gains (Losses) on Derivative Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Realized gains (losses) on derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments	$ 90	$ 86	$ 516	$ (21)

Derivative Instruments - Notion

Derivative Instruments - Notional Amounts Outstanding under Foreign Currency Contracts (Detail) - Not Designated as Hedging Instrument - Foreign Exchange Contract - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair Value of Assets	$ 25	$ 0
Fair Value of Liabilities	72	58
Buy Currency, U.S. Dollar; Sell Currency, Japanese Yen
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair Value of Assets	6	0
Fair Value of Liabilities	0	11
Buy Currency, British Pound; Sell Currency, Euro
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair Value of Assets	8	0
Fair Value of Liabilities	0	15
Buy Currency, U.S. Dollar; Sell Currency, Taiwan Dollar
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair Value of Assets	0	0
Fair Value of Liabilities	0	5
Buy Currency, U.S. Dollar; Sell Currency, British Pound
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair Value of Assets	1	0
Fair Value of Liabilities	0	5
Buy Currency, Euro; Sell Currency U.S. Dollar
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair Value of Assets	0
Fair Value of Liabilities	66
Buy Currency, U.S. Dollar; Sell Currency, Japanese Yen, Two
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair Value of Assets	8
Fair Value of Liabilities	0
Buy Currency, U.S. Dollar; Sell Currency, Israeli Shekel
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair Value of Assets	0	0
Fair Value of Liabilities	5	5
Buy Currency, Euro; Sell Currency, Japanese Yen
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair Value of Assets	2
Fair Value of Liabilities	0
Buy Currency, U.S. Dollar; Sell Currency, Korean Won
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair Value of Assets	0	0
Fair Value of Liabilities	1	1
Buy Currency, U.S. Dollar; Sell Currency, Euro
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair Value of Assets		0
Fair Value of Liabilities		16
Long | Buy Currency, U.S. Dollar; Sell Currency, Japanese Yen
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	1,296	1,736
Long | Buy Currency, British Pound; Sell Currency, Euro
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	1,143	3,513
Long | Buy Currency, U.S. Dollar; Sell Currency, Taiwan Dollar
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	583	656
Long | Buy Currency, U.S. Dollar; Sell Currency, British Pound
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	534	650
Long | Buy Currency, Euro; Sell Currency U.S. Dollar
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	10,100
Long | Buy Currency, U.S. Dollar; Sell Currency, Japanese Yen, Two
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	759
Long | Buy Currency, U.S. Dollar; Sell Currency, Israeli Shekel
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	793	731
Long | Buy Currency, Euro; Sell Currency, Japanese Yen
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	232
Long | Buy Currency, U.S. Dollar; Sell Currency, Korean Won
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	60	76
Long | Buy Currency, U.S. Dollar; Sell Currency, Euro
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount		1,395
Short | Buy Currency, U.S. Dollar; Sell Currency, Japanese Yen
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	160,000	190,000
Short | Buy Currency, British Pound; Sell Currency, Euro
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	1,600	4,500
Short | Buy Currency, U.S. Dollar; Sell Currency, Taiwan Dollar
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	18,000	20,000
Short | Buy Currency, U.S. Dollar; Sell Currency, British Pound
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	840	400
Short | Buy Currency, Euro; Sell Currency U.S. Dollar
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	11,368
Short | Buy Currency, U.S. Dollar; Sell Currency, Japanese Yen, Two
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	93,000
Short | Buy Currency, U.S. Dollar; Sell Currency, Israeli Shekel
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	3,000	2,700
Short | Buy Currency, Euro; Sell Currency, Japanese Yen
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	32,000
Short | Buy Currency, U.S. Dollar; Sell Currency, Korean Won
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	$ 67,000	80,000
Short | Buy Currency, U.S. Dollar; Sell Currency, Euro
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount		$ 1,100

Marketable Securities Summary o

Marketable Securities Summary of Marketable Securities Including Accrued Interest Receivable (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	$ 134,983	$ 151,521
Gross Unrealized Gains	71	63
Gross Unrealized Losses	(95)	(242)
Fair Value	134,959	151,342
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	39,051	26,052
Gross Unrealized Gains	23	1
Gross Unrealized Losses	(10)	(39)
Fair Value	39,064	26,014
Corporate securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	54,554	74,614
Gross Unrealized Gains	14	23
Gross Unrealized Losses	(55)	(174)
Fair Value	54,513	74,463
Mortgage-backed securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	875	964
Gross Unrealized Gains	30	36
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Fair Value	905	1,000
Other debt securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	6,176	7,358
Gross Unrealized Gains	3	0
Gross Unrealized Losses	(1)	(10)
Fair Value	6,178	7,348
Municipal securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	19,414	15,888
Gross Unrealized Gains	0	1
Gross Unrealized Losses	(28)	(16)
Fair Value	19,386	15,873
Bank certificate of deposits
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	14,913	26,645
Gross Unrealized Gains	1	2
Gross Unrealized Losses	(1)	(3)
Fair Value	$ 14,913	$ 26,644

Marketable Securities Fair Valu

Marketable Securities Fair Value of Marketable Securities by Contractual Maturity (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Due in one year or less	$ 61,555
Due after one year through five years	70,096
Due after ten years	3,308
Fair Value	$ 134,959	$ 151,342

Fair Value Measurements Narrati

Fair Value Measurements Narrative (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities	$ 134,959	$ 151,342
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities	134,959	151,342
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	8,893	6,404
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities	0	0
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	8,145	5,166
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities	134,959	151,342
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 748	$ 1,238

Fair Value Measurements Assets

Fair Value Measurements Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Assets
Available-for-sale securities	$ 134,959	$ 151,342
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Assets
Cash equivalents	8,893	6,404
Available-for-sale securities	134,959	151,342
Foreign exchange contracts	25
Convertible debt securities	5,385
Stock warrants	69
Total Assets	149,331	157,746
Liabilities
Foreign exchange contracts	72	58
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Assets
Cash equivalents	8,145	5,166
Available-for-sale securities	0	0
Foreign exchange contracts	0
Convertible debt securities	0
Stock warrants	0
Total Assets	8,145	5,166
Liabilities
Foreign exchange contracts	0	0
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Assets
Cash equivalents	748	1,238
Available-for-sale securities	134,959	151,342
Foreign exchange contracts	25
Convertible debt securities	0
Stock warrants	0
Total Assets	135,732	152,580
Liabilities
Foreign exchange contracts	72	58
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Assets
Cash equivalents	0	0
Available-for-sale securities	0	0
Foreign exchange contracts	0
Convertible debt securities	5,385
Stock warrants	69
Total Assets	5,454	0
Liabilities
Foreign exchange contracts	$ 0	$ 0

Fair Value Measurements Stock W

Fair Value Measurements Stock Warrant (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015USD ($)
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Balance at September 30, 2014	$ 0
Additions	5,009
Change in fair value	445
Balance at June 30, 2015	5,454
Convertible Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Balance at September 30, 2014	0
Additions	4,934
Change in fair value	451
Balance at June 30, 2015	5,385
Warrant [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Balance at September 30, 2014	0
Additions	75
Change in fair value	(6)
Balance at June 30, 2015	$ 69

Commitments and Contingencies A

Commitments and Contingencies Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Lease accumulated amortization	$ 0.2	$ 0.1
Outstanding letters of credit	5.9
Building
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Capital lease costs included in balance sheet as property, plant and equipment	6.4
Land
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Capital lease costs included in balance sheet as property, plant and equipment	$ 2.1

Commitments and Contingencies L

Commitments and Contingencies Long-term Capital Lease Obligation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
2,015	$ 220
2,016	881
2,017	881
2,018	6,901
Total minimum lease payments	8,883
Less: amounts representing interest	953
Total capital lease obligation	7,930
Less: current portion of capital lease obligation	881	$ 881
Long-term capital lease obligation	$ 7,049	$ 7,417

Subsequent Events (Detail)

Subsequent Events (Detail) - $ / shares	Aug. 04, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Cash dividend declared (USD per share)		$ 0.10	$ 0.08	$ 0.30	$ 0.24
Subsequent Event
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Cash dividend declared (USD per share)	$ 0.10
Cash dividend declared, payment date	Sep. 25, 2015
Cash dividend declared, record date	Sep. 4, 2015