Discontinued Operations Income (Loss) Net of Tax (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015	Aug. 01, 2014	Jul. 31, 2015	Aug. 01, 2014
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net Sales	$ 16,279	$ 24,815	$ 48,562	$ 62,568
Operating earnings (loss)	(1,232)	(1,902)	(5,276)	(12,207)
Gain (loss) on net assets held for sale	(1,117)	0	(16,963)	0
Tax expense (benefit)	(656)	(973)	(1,985)	(3,722)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	(1,693)	(929)	(20,254)	(8,485)
Avionics & Controls
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net Sales	4,436	7,249	18,349	24,783
Operating earnings (loss)	(1,132)	(1,847)	(2,649)	(6,566)
Gain (loss) on net assets held for sale	(1,718)	0	(11,871)	0
Tax expense (benefit)	(695)	(520)	(1,252)	(2,136)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	(2,155)	(1,327)	(13,268)	(4,430)
Sensors & Systems
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net Sales	6,419	5,860	18,684	16,798
Operating earnings (loss)	1,533	141	3,270	(278)
Gain (loss) on net assets held for sale	619	0	(3)	0
Tax expense (benefit)	428	(461)	626	(595)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	1,724	602	2,641	317
Advanced Materials
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net Sales	5,424	11,706	11,529	20,987
Operating earnings (loss)	(830)	(196)	(3,909)	(5,020)
Gain (loss) on net assets held for sale	(18)	0	(5,089)	0
Tax expense (benefit)	(127)	8	(686)	(991)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	(721)	(204)	(8,312)	(4,029)
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)	(803)	0	(1,988)	(343)
Gain (loss) on net assets held for sale	0	0	0	0
Tax expense (benefit)	(262)	0	(673)	0
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	$ (541)	$ 0	$ (1,315)	$ (343)