Aggregate amount of impairment losses recognized in prior periods that resulted from the write-down of goodwill after comparing the implied fair value of reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill.

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Goodwill and other intangible assets.

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Aggregate amount of amortization expense recognized for intangible asset during the period. A recognized intangible asset shall be amortized over its estimated useful life to the reporting entity unless that life is determined to be indefinite. If an intangible asset has a finite useful life, but the precise length of that life is not known, that intangible asset shall be amortized over the best estimate of its useful life.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 142
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph a(2)

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Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

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The useful life of all finite-lived intangible assets. This may be stated as a fixed number (for example, 10 years) if all assets have the same useful life, or it can be stated in a range (for example, six to eight years) if there is a range of useful lives in the asset group.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 142
-Paragraph 12, 13, 14

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The aggregate amount of goodwill acquired in the period and allocated to the reportable segment. The value is stated at fair value based on the purchase price allocation.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 142
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph e(1)

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Carrying amount of intangible assets, excluding goodwill, which have a projected indefinite period of benefit (hence are not amortized), allocated to the reportable segment. These assets, acquired either individually or as part of a group of assets, in either an asset acquisition or business combination, are assessed at least annually for impairment. Examples may include trade secrets, contractual rights, trade names, and licensing agreements.

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Goodwill and intangible assets (Details Textuals) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Oct. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2011 Advanced Technology Systems [Member]	Oct. 31, 2010 Advanced Technology Systems [Member]	Jan. 31, 2011 Advanced Technology Systems [Member] Micromedics Inc [Member]	Jul. 31, 2011 Adhesive Dispensing Systems [Member]	Jul. 31, 2011 Adhesive Dispensing Systems [Member] Verbruggen [Member]	Jul. 31, 2011 Industrial Coating Systems [Member]	Oct. 31, 2010 Industrial Coating Systems [Member]	Oct. 31, 2010 Trade mark and trade name [Member]	Oct. 31, 2010 Trade mark and trade name [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill as a result of acquisition			$ 21,773			$ 13,312		$ 13,312	$ 8,461	$ 8,461	$ 0
Goodwill accumulated impairment loss			232,789		232,789	229,173	229,173				3,616	3,616
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite lived intangible asset, remaining life (in years)													20
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Intangible assets not subject to amortization														3,099
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Textuals) [Abstract]
Intangible assets, amortization expense	$ 1,652	$ 1,862	$ 5,699	$ 4,895