Business Disposition Operating results of discontinued operations (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Sales		$ 10,726	$ 8,959	$ 21,280
Cost of sales		10,288	9,189	20,948
Gross profit (loss)		438	(230)	332
Operating expenses:
Research and development		1	0	6
Selling, general and administrative		56	88	196
Total operating expenses		57	88	202
Operating income (loss) from discontinued operations		381	(318)	130
Other income (expense)		(885)	881	(117)
Income from discontinued operations before income taxes		(504)	563	13
Provision for income taxes		75	133	378
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	$ 0	$ (579)	$ 430	$ (365)

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Other income (loss) amounts, net of tax expense or benefit, relating to a disposal group that is classified as a component of the entity, exclusive of the following elsewhere enumerated categories: income (loss) from operations during the phase-out period, gain (loss) on disposal, provision (or any reversals of earlier provisions) for loss on disposal, and adjustments of a prior period gain (loss) on disposal.

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Other pretax income (loss) amounts relating to a disposal group that is classified as a component of the entity, exclusive of the following elsewhere enumerated categories: income (loss) from operations during the phase-out period, gain (loss) on disposal, provision (or any reversals of earlier provisions) for loss on disposal, and adjustments of a prior period gain (loss) on disposal.

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Overall income (loss) from a disposal group that is classified as a component of the entity, before income tax, reported as a separate component of income before extraordinary items. Includes the following (before income tax): income (loss) from operations during the phase-out period, gain (loss) on disposal, provision (or any reversals of earlier provisions) for loss on disposal, and adjustments of a prior period gain (loss) on disposal.

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Tax effect allocated to a disposal group that is classified as a component of the entity reported as a separate component of income before extraordinary items. Includes the tax effects of the following: income (loss) from operations during the phase-out period, gain (loss) on disposal, provision (or any reversals of earlier provisions) for loss on disposal, and adjustments of a prior period gain (loss) on disposal.

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