Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Statement [Table] Statement [Table] Equity Components Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component Equity Component [Domain] Common Stock Common Stock [Member] Additional Paid-in Capital Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Retained Earnings Retained Earnings [Member] Treasury Stock Treasury Stock [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member] Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Balance, shares Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Net loss Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Foreign currency translation adjustments Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax Stock-based compensation Stock Issued During Period, Value, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures Stock-based compensation, shares Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures Shares withheld in lieu of employee tax withholding Adjustments Related to Tax Withholding for Share-based Compensation Issuance of restricted stock Stock Issued During Period, Value, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures Issuance of restricted stock, shares Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures Dividends paid Dividends, Common Stock, Cash Balance Balance, shares Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Accounting Policies [Abstract] OVERVIEW AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Loss [Abstract] Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Comprehensive loss Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] ASSETS Assets [Abstract] Current Assets: Assets, Current [Abstract] Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Short-term investments Short-term Investments Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $664 and $811 Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts Costs in Excess of Billings, Current Inventories Inventory, Net Income taxes receivable Income Taxes Receivable, Current Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance, Current Prepaid expenses Prepaid Expense, Current Other current assets Other Assets, Current Total Current Assets Assets, Current Property, plant and equipment, net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Goodwill and intangible assets, net Intangible Assets, Net (Including Goodwill) Other assets Other Assets, Noncurrent Total Assets Assets LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Current Liabilities: Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Current maturities of long-term debt Long-term Debt, Current Maturities Income taxes payable Accrued Income Taxes, Current Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Current Accrued salaries, bonuses and commissions Employee-related Liabilities, Current Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts Billings in Excess of Cost, Current Accrued product warranty Product Warranty Accrual, Current Other accrued expenses Other Accrued Liabilities, Current Deferred credit ─ short term (Note D) Deferred Revenue and Credits, Current Total Current Liabilities Liabilities, Current Long-term debt, net of current maturities Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities Deferred compensation Deferred Compensation Liability, Classified, Noncurrent Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net, Noncurrent Other long-term liabilities Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Deferred credit ─ long term (Note D) Deferred Revenue and Credits, Noncurrent Total Liabilities Liabilities Commitments and Contingencies (Note F) Commitments and Contingencies Stockholders' Equity: Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Preferred stock, par value $.01; 5,000,000 shares authorized; none issued Preferred Stock, Value, Issued Common stock, par value $.01; 30,000,000 shares authorized; 12,217,656 and 12,199,511 shares issued, respectively Common Stock, Value, Outstanding Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Retained earnings Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Treasury stock, 806,018 shares at cost Treasury Stock, Value Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Total Stockholders' Equity Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Liabilities and Equity Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] INCOME TAXES Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Industrial development revenue bonds Long-term Debt Less current portion Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Current Total long-term debt and capital lease obligations Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract] GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Operating Activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Net loss Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Depreciation Depreciation Amortization Amortization Stock-based compensation Share-based Compensation Bad debt expense (recovery) Provision for Doubtful Accounts Deferred income tax expense Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Gain on amended supply agreement Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Intangible Assets Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Accounts receivable, net Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Costs and billings in excess of estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts Increase (Decrease) in Unbilled Receivables Inventories Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Prepaid expenses and other current assets Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid Expense and Other Assets Accounts payable and income taxes payable Increase Decrease In Accounts Payable And Income Taxes Payable Accounts payable and income taxes payable. Accrued liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Accrued Liabilities Other, net Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets and Liabilities, Net Net cash provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations Investing Activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment Increase in short-term investments Payments for (Proceeds from) Short-term Investments Purchases of property, plant and equipment Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations Financing Activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Payments on industrial development revenue bonds Repayments of Long-term Debt Shares withheld in lieu of employee tax withholding Payments Related to Tax Withholding for Share-based Compensation Purchase of treasury shares Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Dividends paid Payments of Ordinary Dividends, Common Stock Net cash used in financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Excluding Exchange Rate Effect Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents, end of period Income Statement [Abstract] Revenues Contracts Revenue Cost of goods sold Contract Revenue Cost Gross profit Gross Profit Selling, general and administrative expenses Selling, General and Administrative Expense Research and development expenses Research and Development Expense Amortization of intangible assets Amortization of Intangible Assets Restructuring and separation expenses Restructuring Charges Operating loss Operating Income (Loss) Other income Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Interest expense Interest Expense Interest income Investment Income, Interest Loss before income taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest Income tax benefit Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Net loss Loss per share: Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Basic (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Basic Diluted (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Diluted Weighted average shares: Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract] Basic (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Diluted (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Dividends per share (in dollars per share) Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block] Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract] Restructuring and separation costs Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract] STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] Transfers between measurement levels Amount Of Transfers Between Fair Value Measurement Levels Amount of transfers between fair value measurement levels. Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract] Costs incurred on uncompleted contracts Costs Incurred On Uncompleted Contracts Costs incurred on uncompleted contracts. Estimated earnings Estimated Earnings Estimated earnings. Total Receivables, Long-term Contracts or Programs Less: Billings to date Billed Contracts Receivable Net underbilled position Unbilled Contracts Receivable Included in the accompanying balance sheets under the following captions: Contracts Receivable [Abstract] Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts – underbilled Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts – overbilled Schedule Of Share Based Compensation Arrangements By Share Based Payment Award [Table] Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] Award Type Award Type [Axis] Equity Award Equity Award [Domain] Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward] Outstanding Beginning Balance, Number of Restricted Stock Units Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number Granted, Number of Restricted Stock Units Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period Vested, Number of Restricted Stock Units Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period Outstanding Ending Balance, Number of Restricted Stock Units Outstanding Beginning Balance, Weighted Average Fair Value Per Share Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Granted, Weighted Average Fair Value Per Share Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Vested, Weighted Average Fair Value Per Share Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Outstanding Ending Balance, Weighted Average Fair Value Per Share Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Table] Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table] Fair Value, Hierarchy Fair Value, Hierarchy [Axis] Fair Value Hierarchy Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] Assets: Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] Cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure Short-term investments Investments, Fair Value Disclosure Deferred compensation Deferred Compensation Plan Assets Fair Value Disclosure Deferred compensation plan assets fair value disclosure. Liabilities: Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] Deferred compensation Deferred Compensation Liability, Current and Noncurrent Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable [Roll Forward] Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable [Roll Forward] Balance at beginning of period Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current Bad debt expense (recovery) Provision For (Recovery) Of Doubtful Accounts Provision for (recovery) of doubtful accounts. Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries Allowance For Doubtful Accounts Receivable Write Offs Recoveries Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable write offs (recoveries). Change due to foreign currency translation Increase (Decrease) Due To Foreign Currency Translation Increase (decrease) due to foreign currency translation. Balance at end of period Movement in Standard Product Warranty Accrual [Roll Forward] Movement in Standard Product Warranty Accrual [Roll Forward] Balance at beginning of period Increase to warranty expense Standard and Extended Product Warranty Accrual, Increase for Warranties Issued Deduction for warranty charges Standard and Extended Product Warranty Accrual, Decrease for Payments Change due to foreign currency translation Standard and Extended Product Warranty Accrual, Foreign Currency Translation Gain (Loss) Balance at end of period Restricted Stock Restricted Stock [Member] Class of Stock [Axis] Class of Stock [Axis] Class of Stock [Domain] Class of Stock [Domain] Time Based Restricted Stock Unit Time Based Restricted Stock Unit [Member] Time based restricted stock unit. Performance Based Restricted Stock Unit Performance Based Restricted Stock Unit [Member] Performance based restricted stock unit. Actual amount of RSUs earned based on cumulative earnings Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Percent Of Actual Amount Of Units Earned Share based compensation arrangement by share based payment award percent of actual amount of units earned. Vesting period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period Target RSUs granted range Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Target R S U Granted Range Share based compensation arrangement by share based payment award target RSU granted range. Unvested restricted stock outstanding Compensation expense Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense RESTRUCTURING AND SEPARATION COSTS Restructuring and Related Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Raw materials, parts and subassemblies, net Inventory, Raw Materials and Supplies, Net of Reserves Work-in-progress Inventory, Work in Process, Gross Total inventories Schedule Of Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Table] Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Axis] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain] Supply Agreement Supply Agreement [Member] Supply agreement. Legal Entity Legal Entity [Axis] Entity Entity [Domain] General Electric Company General Electric Company [Member] General electric company. Income Statement Location Income Statement Location [Axis] Income Statement Location Income Statement Location [Domain] Other Income Other Income [Member] Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] Useful life of intangible asset Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life Cash received from amended supply agreement Cash Received From Amended Supply Agreement Cash received from amended supply agreement. Additional amount paid on execution of agreement Additional Amount Paid On Execution Of Agreement Additional amount paid on execution of agreement. Acquired finite-lived intangible assets, period Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life Deferred credit Deferred Revenue and Credits Deferred credit amortization period Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Remaining Amortization Period Gains in other income Disclosure Text Block Supplement [Abstract] DETAIL OF SELECTED BALANCE SHEET ACCOUNTS Supplemental Balance Sheet Disclosures [Text Block] LONG-TERM DEBT Long-term Debt [Text Block] Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block] Loss before income taxes Income tax benefit Net loss Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Effective tax rate Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Document and entity information. Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key Document Type Document Type Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Trading Symbol Trading Symbol Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Schedule of intangible assets subject to amortization Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block] Earnings Per Share Reconciliation [Abstract] Numerator: Denominator: Weighted average basic shares Dilutive effect of restricted stock units Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Share-based Payment Arrangements Weighted average diluted shares with assumed conversions Net loss per share: Schedule Of Guarantee Obligations [Table] Schedule of Guarantor Obligations [Table] Guarantor Obligations, Nature Guarantor Obligations, Nature [Axis] Guarantor Obligations, Nature Guarantor Obligations, Nature [Domain] Financial Standby Letter of Credit Financial Standby Letter of Credit [Member] Surety Bonds Surety Bond [Member] Debt Instrument Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument, Name Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Facility Agreement Facility Agreement [Member] Facility agreement. Powell (UK) Limited Powell U K Limited [Member] Powell (UK) limited. Guarantee Obligations [Line Items] Guarantor Obligations [Line Items] Guarantee liability Guarantor Obligations, Current Carrying Value Additional bonding capacity Commitments And Contingencies Additional Bonding Capacity Commitments and contingencies additional bonding capacity. Revolving credit facility Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity Amount of credit facility remaining borrowing capacity Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity Liquidated damages Loss Contingency, Loss in Period Probable liquidated damages Loss Contingency Probable Loss In Period Loss contingency probable loss in period. Loss contingency, estimate of actual or projected loss Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss Line Of Credit Facility [Table] Line of Credit Facility [Table] Credit Facility Credit Facility [Axis] Credit Facility Credit Facility [Domain] U.S. Revolver Domestic Line of Credit [Member] Canadian Revolver Foreign Line of Credit [Member] Industrial Development Revenue Bonds Industrial Development Revenue Bonds [Member] Industrial development revenue bonds. Variable Rate Variable Rate [Axis] Variable Rate Variable Rate [Domain] Federal Funds Rate Federal Funds Effective Swap Rate [Member] Eurocurrency Rate Eurodollar [Member] Range Range [Axis] Range Range [Domain] Maximum Maximum [Member] Minimum Minimum [Member] Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items] Line of Credit Facility [Line Items] Percentage of voting capital stock pledged as collateral Percentage Of Domestic Capital Stock Pledged As Collateral For Credit Facility Percentage of domestic capital stock pledged as collateral for credit facility. Non-domestic subsidiaries of voting capital stock Percentage Of Non Domestic Capital Stock Pledged As Collateral For Credit Facility Percentage of non domestic capital stock pledged as collateral for credit facility. Revolving credit interest rate Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis Outstanding letters of credit Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount Basis spread on variable rate Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate Credit facility expiration date Line of Credit Facility, Expiration Date Revolving credit facility borrowings, outstanding amount Long-term Line of Credit Borrowings Debt Instrument, Face Amount Reimbursement agreement requires annual redemptions Debt Instrument, Annual Principal Payment Interest rate Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage Unrecognized tax benefits, decrease resulting from prior period tax positions Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decrease Resulting from Prior Period Tax Positions Schedule of Restricted Stock Units Activity Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Activity [Table Text Block] Purchased Technology Purchased Technology [Member] Purchased technology. Gross Carrying Value Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross Accumulated Amortization Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Value Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net Components of Long-term debt Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table Text Block] Statutory rate Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent Foreign valuation allowance Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Change In Foreign Valuation Allowance Effective income tax rate reconciliation change in foreign valuation allowance. Research and development credit Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Tax Credit, Research, Percent State income taxes, net of federal benefit Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, State and Local Income Taxes, Percent Rate differential and other Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Other Adjustments, Percent Effective tax rate EARNINGS PER SHARE Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Activity in allowance for doubtful accounts Allowance for Credit Losses on Financing Receivables [Table Text Block] Components of inventories Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block] Cost and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts Costs in Excess of Billings and Billings in Excess of Costs [Table Text Block] Activity in product warranty accrual Schedule of Product Warranty Liability [Table Text Block] Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block] Allowance for doubtful accounts Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share) Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Preferred stock, shares authorized Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized Preferred stock, shares issued Preferred Stock, Shares Issued Common stock, par value ( in dollars per share) Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock, shares issued Common Stock, Shares, Issued Common stock, shares outstanding Treasury stock, shares Treasury Stock, Shares Overview Nature of Operations [Text Block] Basis of Presentation Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block] Use of Estimates Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block] New Accounting Standards New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block] Title of Individual Title of Individual [Axis] Relationship to Entity Relationship to Entity [Domain] Chief Executive Officer Chief Executive Officer And Other Senior Managers [Member] Chief executive officer and other senior managers. Restricted stock granted Stock Issued During Period, Value, Restricted Stock Award, Gross Share-based compensation accelerated vesting shares Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Accelerated Vesting, Number