Discontinued Operations Income (Loss) Net of Tax (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 25, 2013	Oct. 26, 2012
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net Sales	$ 82,114	$ 80,977	$ 114,497
Operating earnings (loss)	(19,745)	(10,766)	1,523
Loss on net assets held for sale	(49,472)
Tax expense (benefit)	(5,628)	(4,506)	2,142
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	(63,589)	(6,260)	(619)
Avionics & Controls
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net Sales	33,749	31,883	66,900
Operating earnings (loss)	(7,082)	(7,912)	9,842
Loss on net assets held for sale	(18,489)
Tax expense (benefit)	(2,493)	(3,180)	3,391
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	(23,078)	(4,732)	6,451
Sensors & Systems
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net Sales	22,479	25,599	29,017
Operating earnings (loss)	(181)	1,566	1,387
Loss on net assets held for sale	(12,675)
Tax expense (benefit)	(523)	689	385
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	(12,333)	877	1,002
Advanced Materials
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net Sales	25,886	23,495	18,580
Operating earnings (loss)	(11,637)	(2,420)	(9,706)
Loss on net assets held for sale	(18,308)
Tax expense (benefit)	(2,316)	(1,315)	(1,634)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	(27,629)	(1,105)	(8,072)
Other Non U S
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net Sales	0	0	0
Operating earnings (loss)	(845)	(2,000)	0
Loss on net assets held for sale	0
Tax expense (benefit)	(296)	(700)	0
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	$ (549)	$ (1,300)	$ 0