Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Intangible Assets
Amortization expense of patents, non-competes and other intangibles	$ 423	$ 561	$ 559
Total intangible assets, Gross Amount	13,887	14,203
Finite-lived intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	(7,870)	(7,763)
Carrying Amount	6,017	6,440
Patents
Intangible Assets
Finite-lived intangible assets, Gross Amount	8,667	8,667
Finite-lived intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	(6,891)	(6,612)
Finite-lived intangible assets, Carrying Amount	1,776	2,055
Patents | Minimum
Intangible Assets
Useful life	2 years
Patents | Maximum
Intangible Assets
Useful life	14 years
Non-compete
Intangible Assets
Finite-lived intangible assets, Gross Amount	1,090	1,090
Finite-lived intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	(900)	(820)
Finite-lived intangible assets, Carrying Amount	190	270
Non-compete | Minimum
Intangible Assets
Useful life	1 year
Non-compete | Maximum
Intangible Assets
Useful life	4 years
Other
Intangible Assets
Finite-lived intangible assets, Gross Amount	330	646
Finite-lived intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	(79)	(331)
Finite-lived intangible assets, Carrying Amount	251	315
Trademarks
Intangible Assets
Indefinite-lived trademarks	$ 3,800	$ 3,800