Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets (Detail)

v2.4.1.9
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Nov. 30, 2014
Aug. 31, 2014
Nov. 30, 2013
Aug. 31, 2013
Current assets        
Cash and cash equivalents $ 87,275us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue $ 109,012us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue $ 109,542us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue $ 103,986us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
Accounts receivable, net 221,719us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetCurrent 227,008us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetCurrent    
Inventories, net 164,517us-gaap_InventoryNet 162,620us-gaap_InventoryNet    
Deferred income taxes 10,384us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsNetCurrent 11,050us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsNetCurrent    
Other current assets 40,453us-gaap_PrepaidExpenseAndOtherAssetsCurrent 33,300us-gaap_PrepaidExpenseAndOtherAssetsCurrent    
Total current assets 524,348us-gaap_AssetsCurrent 542,990us-gaap_AssetsCurrent    
Property, plant and equipment, net 163,915us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet 169,101us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet    
Goodwill 714,956us-gaap_Goodwill 742,770us-gaap_Goodwill    
Other intangibles, net 346,214us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill 365,177us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill    
Investment in subsidiaries 0us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures 0us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures    
Intercompany receivable 0atu_IntercompanyReceivable 0atu_IntercompanyReceivable    
Other long-term assets 38,031us-gaap_OtherAssetsNoncurrent 36,841us-gaap_OtherAssetsNoncurrent    
Total assets 1,787,464us-gaap_Assets 1,856,879us-gaap_Assets    
Current liabilities        
Trade accounts payable 135,095us-gaap_AccountsPayableCurrent 145,798us-gaap_AccountsPayableCurrent    
Accrued compensation and benefits 42,408us-gaap_EmployeeRelatedLiabilitiesCurrent 52,964us-gaap_EmployeeRelatedLiabilitiesCurrent    
Current maturities of debt and short-term borrowings 7,619atu_LongtermDebtCurrentMaturitiesandShorttermBorrowings 4,500atu_LongtermDebtCurrentMaturitiesandShorttermBorrowings    
Income taxes payable 9,664us-gaap_TaxesPayableCurrent 38,347us-gaap_TaxesPayableCurrent    
Other current liabilities 58,594us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesCurrent 57,512us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesCurrent    
Total current liabilities 253,380us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent 299,121us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent    
Long-term debt, less current maturities 506,250us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent 385,500us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent    
Deferred income taxes 92,699us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesNoncurrent 96,970us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesNoncurrent    
Pension and postretirement benefit liabilities 14,558us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementDefinedBenefitPlansLiabilitiesNoncurrent 15,699us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementDefinedBenefitPlansLiabilitiesNoncurrent    
Other long-term liabilities 58,843us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent 57,878us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent    
Intercompany payable 0atu_IntercompanyPayable 0atu_IntercompanyPayable    
Shareholders’ equity 861,734us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest 1,001,711us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest    
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity 1,787,464us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity 1,856,879us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity    
Parent        
Current assets        
Cash and cash equivalents 2,686us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
27,931us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
2,669us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
16,122us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Accounts receivable, net 18,436us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
22,811us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
   
Inventories, net 22,347us-gaap_InventoryNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
31,024us-gaap_InventoryNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
   
Deferred income taxes 4,960us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsNetCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
7,503us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsNetCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
   
Other current assets 13,970us-gaap_PrepaidExpenseAndOtherAssetsCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
3,871us-gaap_PrepaidExpenseAndOtherAssetsCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
   
Total current assets 62,399us-gaap_AssetsCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
93,140us-gaap_AssetsCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
   
Property, plant and equipment, net 7,577us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
9,096us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
   
Goodwill 15,354us-gaap_Goodwill
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
44,700us-gaap_Goodwill
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
   
Other intangibles, net 11,656us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
11,974us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
   
Investment in subsidiaries 2,179,271us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
2,286,068us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
   
Intercompany receivable 0atu_IntercompanyReceivable
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
0atu_IntercompanyReceivable
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
   
Other long-term assets 23,692us-gaap_OtherAssetsNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
23,432us-gaap_OtherAssetsNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
   
Total assets 2,299,949us-gaap_Assets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
2,468,410us-gaap_Assets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
   
Current liabilities        
Trade accounts payable 16,025us-gaap_AccountsPayableCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
20,014us-gaap_AccountsPayableCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
   
Accrued compensation and benefits 9,656us-gaap_EmployeeRelatedLiabilitiesCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
15,135us-gaap_EmployeeRelatedLiabilitiesCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
   
Current maturities of debt and short-term borrowings 5,625atu_LongtermDebtCurrentMaturitiesandShorttermBorrowings
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
4,500atu_LongtermDebtCurrentMaturitiesandShorttermBorrowings
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
   
Income taxes payable 14,463us-gaap_TaxesPayableCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
31,582us-gaap_TaxesPayableCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
   
Other current liabilities 18,267us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
19,081us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
   
Total current liabilities 64,036us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
90,312us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
   
Long-term debt, less current maturities 506,250us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
385,500us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
   
Deferred income taxes 46,882us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
47,543us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
   
Pension and postretirement benefit liabilities 8,259us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementDefinedBenefitPlansLiabilitiesNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
8,668us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementDefinedBenefitPlansLiabilitiesNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
   
Other long-term liabilities 44,794us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
42,647us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
   
Intercompany payable 767,994atu_IntercompanyPayable
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
892,029atu_IntercompanyPayable
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
   
Shareholders’ equity 861,734us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
1,001,711us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
   
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity 2,299,949us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
2,468,410us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
   
Guarantors        
Current assets        
Cash and cash equivalents 1,134us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
3,325us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
0us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
0us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Accounts receivable, net 42,765us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
38,511us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
   
Inventories, net 43,174us-gaap_InventoryNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
38,860us-gaap_InventoryNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
   
Deferred income taxes 0us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsNetCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
0us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsNetCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
   
Other current assets 1,454us-gaap_PrepaidExpenseAndOtherAssetsCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
1,057us-gaap_PrepaidExpenseAndOtherAssetsCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
   
Total current assets 88,527us-gaap_AssetsCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
81,753us-gaap_AssetsCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
   
Property, plant and equipment, net 26,273us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
22,879us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
   
Goodwill 306,882us-gaap_Goodwill
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
280,693us-gaap_Goodwill
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
   
Other intangibles, net 137,614us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
140,400us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
   
Investment in subsidiaries 1,106,103us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
806,414us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
   
Intercompany receivable 637,903atu_IntercompanyReceivable
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
678,073atu_IntercompanyReceivable
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
   
Other long-term assets 0us-gaap_OtherAssetsNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
0us-gaap_OtherAssetsNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
   
Total assets 2,303,302us-gaap_Assets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
2,010,212us-gaap_Assets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
   
Current liabilities        
Trade accounts payable 25,736us-gaap_AccountsPayableCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
25,673us-gaap_AccountsPayableCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
   
Accrued compensation and benefits 2,799us-gaap_EmployeeRelatedLiabilitiesCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
3,293us-gaap_EmployeeRelatedLiabilitiesCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
   
Current maturities of debt and short-term borrowings 0atu_LongtermDebtCurrentMaturitiesandShorttermBorrowings
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
0atu_LongtermDebtCurrentMaturitiesandShorttermBorrowings
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
   
Income taxes payable (548)us-gaap_TaxesPayableCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
0us-gaap_TaxesPayableCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
   
Other current liabilities 4,743us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
3,989us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
   
Total current liabilities 32,730us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
32,955us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
   
Long-term debt, less current maturities 0us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
0us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
   
Deferred income taxes 0us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
0us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
   
Pension and postretirement benefit liabilities 0us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementDefinedBenefitPlansLiabilitiesNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
0us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementDefinedBenefitPlansLiabilitiesNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
   
Other long-term liabilities 4,191us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
4,138us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
   
Intercompany payable 0atu_IntercompanyPayable
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
0atu_IntercompanyPayable
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
   
Shareholders’ equity 2,266,381us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
1,973,119us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
   
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity 2,303,302us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
2,010,212us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
   
Non-Guarantors        
Current assets        
Cash and cash equivalents 83,455us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
77,756us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
106,873us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
87,864us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Accounts receivable, net 160,518us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
165,686us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
   
Inventories, net 98,996us-gaap_InventoryNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
92,736us-gaap_InventoryNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
   
Deferred income taxes 5,424us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsNetCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
3,547us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsNetCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
   
Other current assets 25,029us-gaap_PrepaidExpenseAndOtherAssetsCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
28,372us-gaap_PrepaidExpenseAndOtherAssetsCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
   
Total current assets 373,422us-gaap_AssetsCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
368,097us-gaap_AssetsCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
   
Property, plant and equipment, net 130,065us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
137,126us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
   
Goodwill 392,720us-gaap_Goodwill
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
417,377us-gaap_Goodwill
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
   
Other intangibles, net 196,944us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
212,803us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
   
Investment in subsidiaries 31,067us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
237,207us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
   
Intercompany receivable 505,132atu_IntercompanyReceivable
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
622,818atu_IntercompanyReceivable
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
   
Other long-term assets 14,339us-gaap_OtherAssetsNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
13,409us-gaap_OtherAssetsNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
   
Total assets 1,643,689us-gaap_Assets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
2,008,837us-gaap_Assets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
   
Current liabilities        
Trade accounts payable 93,334us-gaap_AccountsPayableCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
100,111us-gaap_AccountsPayableCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
   
Accrued compensation and benefits 29,953us-gaap_EmployeeRelatedLiabilitiesCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
34,536us-gaap_EmployeeRelatedLiabilitiesCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
   
Current maturities of debt and short-term borrowings 1,994atu_LongtermDebtCurrentMaturitiesandShorttermBorrowings
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
0atu_LongtermDebtCurrentMaturitiesandShorttermBorrowings
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
   
Income taxes payable (4,251)us-gaap_TaxesPayableCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
6,765us-gaap_TaxesPayableCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
   
Other current liabilities 35,584us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
34,442us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
   
Total current liabilities 156,614us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
175,854us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
   
Long-term debt, less current maturities 0us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
0us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
   
Deferred income taxes 45,817us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
49,427us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
   
Pension and postretirement benefit liabilities 6,299us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementDefinedBenefitPlansLiabilitiesNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
7,031us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementDefinedBenefitPlansLiabilitiesNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
   
Other long-term liabilities 9,858us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
11,093us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
   
Intercompany payable 375,041atu_IntercompanyPayable
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
408,861atu_IntercompanyPayable
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
   
Shareholders’ equity 1,050,060us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
1,356,571us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
   
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity 1,643,689us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
2,008,837us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
   
Eliminations        
Current assets        
Cash and cash equivalents 0us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
0us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
0us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
0us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
Accounts receivable, net 0us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
0us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
   
Inventories, net 0us-gaap_InventoryNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
0us-gaap_InventoryNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
   
Deferred income taxes 0us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsNetCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
0us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsNetCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
   
Other current assets 0us-gaap_PrepaidExpenseAndOtherAssetsCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
0us-gaap_PrepaidExpenseAndOtherAssetsCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
   
Total current assets 0us-gaap_AssetsCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
0us-gaap_AssetsCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
   
Property, plant and equipment, net 0us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
0us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
   
Goodwill 0us-gaap_Goodwill
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
0us-gaap_Goodwill
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
   
Other intangibles, net 0us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
0us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
   
Investment in subsidiaries (3,316,441)us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
(3,329,689)us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
   
Intercompany receivable (1,143,035)atu_IntercompanyReceivable
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
(1,300,891)atu_IntercompanyReceivable
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
   
Other long-term assets 0us-gaap_OtherAssetsNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
0us-gaap_OtherAssetsNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
   
Total assets (4,459,476)us-gaap_Assets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
(4,630,580)us-gaap_Assets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
   
Current liabilities        
Trade accounts payable 0us-gaap_AccountsPayableCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
0us-gaap_AccountsPayableCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
   
Accrued compensation and benefits 0us-gaap_EmployeeRelatedLiabilitiesCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
0us-gaap_EmployeeRelatedLiabilitiesCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
   
Current maturities of debt and short-term borrowings 0atu_LongtermDebtCurrentMaturitiesandShorttermBorrowings
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
0atu_LongtermDebtCurrentMaturitiesandShorttermBorrowings
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
   
Income taxes payable 0us-gaap_TaxesPayableCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
0us-gaap_TaxesPayableCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
   
Other current liabilities 0us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
0us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
   
Total current liabilities 0us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
0us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
   
Long-term debt, less current maturities 0us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
0us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
   
Deferred income taxes 0us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
0us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
   
Pension and postretirement benefit liabilities 0us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementDefinedBenefitPlansLiabilitiesNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
0us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementDefinedBenefitPlansLiabilitiesNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
   
Other long-term liabilities 0us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
0us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
   
Intercompany payable (1,143,035)atu_IntercompanyPayable
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
(1,300,890)atu_IntercompanyPayable
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
   
Shareholders’ equity (3,316,441)us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
(3,329,690)us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
   
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ (4,459,476)us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
$ (4,630,580)us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember