Discontinued Operations Income (Loss) Net of Tax (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	May 01, 2015	May 02, 2014	May 01, 2015	May 02, 2014
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net Sales	$ 17,047	$ 18,713	$ 32,283	$ 37,753
Operating earnings (loss)	(558)	(4,927)	(4,044)	(10,305)
Gain (loss) on net assets held for sale	(1,769)	0	(15,846)	0
Tax expense (benefit)	(505)	(1,236)	(1,329)	(2,749)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	(1,822)	(3,691)	(18,561)	(7,556)
Avionics & Controls
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net Sales	7,111	10,985	13,913	17,534
Operating earnings (loss)	(735)	(1,743)	(1,517)	(4,719)
Gain (loss) on net assets held for sale	1,361	0	(10,153)	0
Tax expense (benefit)	(301)	(649)	(557)	(1,616)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	927	(1,094)	(11,113)	(3,103)
Sensors & Systems
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net Sales	6,632	5,623	12,265	10,938
Operating earnings (loss)	1,187	(25)	1,737	(419)
Gain (loss) on net assets held for sale	(622)	0	(622)	0
Tax expense (benefit)	3	(4)	198	(134)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	562	(21)	917	(285)
Advanced Materials
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net Sales	3,304	2,105	6,105	9,281
Operating earnings (loss)	(1,010)	(2,816)	(3,079)	(4,824)
Gain (loss) on net assets held for sale	(2,508)	0	(5,071)	0
Tax expense (benefit)	(207)	(583)	(559)	(999)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	(3,311)	(2,233)	(7,591)	(3,825)
Other
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net Sales	0	0	0	0
Operating earnings (loss)	0	(343)	(1,185)	(343)
Gain (loss) on net assets held for sale	0	0	0	0
Tax expense (benefit)	0	0	(411)	0
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	$ 0	$ (343)	$ (774)	$ (343)