Segment Information (Consolidated Revenues From Continuing Operations By Country) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2015	Aug. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	$ 200,055	$ 209,941	$ 205,165
United States [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	155,153	162,594	153,999
Japan [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	14,997	14,446	16,652
United Kingdom [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	7,716	8,997	6,899
China/Singapore [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	5,027	3,821	3,322
Canada [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	4,357	6,460	8,780
Australia [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	3,404	3,774	4,623
Thailand [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	1,226	1,055	860
Mexico/Central America [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	917	974	923
Denmark/Scandinavia [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	863	729	831
India [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	677	708	684
Central/Eastern Europe [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	644	492	697
Middle East [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	584	670	594
Indonesia [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	579	651	761
Malaysia [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	384	511	405
Brazil [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	319	321	595
South Korea [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	318	179	725
Others [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	$ 2,890	$ 3,559	$ 3,815