COGNEX EXPANDS INSPECTION CAPABILITIES OF CHECKER VISION SENSORS
Model 252 adds pass/fail inspection of height, width, and diameter

Cognex® Corporation (NASDAQ - CGNX), the world’s leading supplier of machine vision systems and vision sensors, has expanded its Checker vision sensor product line with the Checker® 252 model. The 252 includes all inspection capabilities of the award-winning Checker vision sensor family, plus additional software sensors that verify height, width, and diameter and deliver reliable pass/fail results on high-speed production lines.

Key to the simplicity of the Checker 252 is its One-Click Setup™. By simply clicking on the center of the part feature to be inspected, an image of a familiar caliper appears and locks on the edges of the part feature, sets the minimum and maximum thresholds, and learns edge polarity…all automatically.

“With its unique screen caliper, the Checker 252 makes pass/fail measurement verification simple and reliable” said Pascal Dorster, Vision Sensors Business Unit Manager. “Manufacturers in many industries, such as automotive and packaging, can now verify dimensions of parts with very low-contrast edges and solve a wide range of measurement verification tasks not possible with photoelectric sensors.”

As with other Checker models, the 252 is available with the Cognex SensorView^TM 350, a compact, industrial, panel-mount display. The Checker 252 will be available in November, 2008. For more information, please visit http://www.cognex.com/checker252.

Largest Automation Supplier in Japan Chooses Cognex As Its Vision Partner

NATICK, MA, August 28, 2008–Cognex Corporation (NASDAQ: CGNX) announced today that it has signed an agreement with Mitsubishi Electric Corporation to jointly develop and market Cognex vision products to Mitsubishi’s customers around the world.  Mitsubishi Electric, based in Tokyo, Japan, is a leading worldwide provider of factory automation products (e.g. programmable controllers, motion controls and industrial robots), and is the largest supplier of those products in Japan and throughout Asia.

Cognex will work with Mitsubishi to develop specially-configured versions of Cognex In-Sight® vision systems that will be designed to integrate seamlessly with Mitsubishi’s factory automation products.  In addition to collaborating on product development, the two companies will also jointly promote their integrated solutions at events such as tradeshows and seminars.  As a result of this collaboration, Mitsubishi’s factory automation customers will be able to purchase Cognex vision systems and quickly deploy them in their manufacturing operations.  Cognex expects that this partnership will significantly accelerate the sale of its vision systems, first in Japan and eventually in the fast-growing markets throughout Asia.

“Cognex machine vision systems are already being used together with Mitsubishi factory automation products to help guide robots, to direct motion control systems and to automate a wide range of manufacturing processes,” said Dr. Robert J. Shillman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cognex.  “This new partnership, which will result in dramatically improved connectivity between our respective products, is expected to increase the sale of both Cognex vision systems and Mitsubishi’s factory automation products against our common competitors.”

“Mitsubishi Electric is one of the world’s most highly respected factory automation companies, and is the largest provider of factory automation products in Japan and Asia.  We are proud to be selected as their vision partner,” said Eric Ceyrolle, Executive Vice President of Worldwide Sales and Marketing for Cognex.  “The power of Cognex vision will make it easier and faster than ever for Mitsubishi’s customers to improve the overall performance of their manufacturing processes.”

With over 80 years of experience in providing reliable, high-quality products to both corporate clients and general consumers all over the world, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation is a recognized world leader in the manufacture, marketing and sales of electrical and electronic equipment used in information processing and communications, space development and satellite communications, consumer electronics, industrial technology, energy, transportation and building equipment. The company recorded consolidated group sales of 4,049.8 billion yen (US $40.5 billion) in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008.

DVT 535C offers complete set of easy to use color tools

Natick, MA, February 14, 2007—Cognex Corporation (NASDAQ - CGNX), the world’s leading supplier of machine vision sensors, today announced the DVT® 535C, the most capable and easy to use color vision sensor in it’s class. With a full suite of vision tools, the DVT 535C sets a new cost/performance standard for entry-level color vision sensors.

“Unlike most low-cost color vision sensors, the DVT 535C is not limited to a single machine vision function such as color sorting, but can handle a much broader range of applications with a compete set of color tools for sorting, color match and defect detection,” said Kris Nelson, Cognex Senior Vice President, Vision Sensors.

The DVT 535C is the lowest cost model in the DVT color vision sensor family that includes a choice of high-speed and high-resolution products to meet a range of performance requirements. Like all DVT vision sensors, the 535C operates with easy-to-use Intellect™ software that facilitates setup, integration, and maintenance, and is backward compatible with FrameWork.

Cognex is also pleased to announce the latest Intellect software release 1.4 with many enhancements including a new Flexible Flaw Detection (FFD) tool that provides reliable inspection results despite random process variations. FFD reduces inspection errors when the appearance of the part is not consistent due to registration errors, lens and perspective distortions, and normal part-to-part variations.

The DVT 535C vision sensor and Intellect 1.4 are available now.

COGNEX ANNOUNCES PANEL-MOUNT VIEWER FOR CHECKER VISION SENSORS

Natick, MA, September 25, 2007—Cognex Corporation (NASDAQ - CGNX), the world’s leading supplier of image-based sensors, today announced SensorViewTM 350, a compact, industrial, panel-mount display for its Checker® 200 Series inspection sensors. SensorView 350 allows operators to view production images of the parts that Checker is inspecting without a PC. SensorView 350 features a simple interface for displaying images of passed or failed parts, along with status indicators and results statistics to more easily monitor the production process.

“Checker 200 Series inspection sensors provide a tremendous amount of useful process data compared to traditional sensors,“ said Justin Testa, Cognex Senior Vice President and Group Business Manager. “SensorView provides easy access to that information so factory floor operators can better understand how the manufacturing process is working.”

SensorView 350 achieves an IP65 rating and will be available in October.

COGNEX INTRODUCES NEW CHECKER VISION SENSOR
Checker 232 inspects small features over a wide area

Natick, MA, February 19, 2008—Cognex Corporation (NASDAQ - CGNX), the world’s leading supplier of machine vision systems and vision sensors has added the Checker^® 232 model to its award-winning Checker vision sensor product line. Designed to inspect small features over a wide area, Checker 232 provides reliable inspection results on the fastest production lines, detecting and inspecting up to 1,500 parts per minute.

Checker 232 is ideal for applications where small features are being inspected on large parts, such as the inspection of clips and springs on large automotive assemblies.  Checker 232 is also ideal when a much longer working distance is needed and the vision sensor must be mounted far from the area to be inspected.

“Customers value the simplicity and power of Checker vision sensors because they offer a very cost-effective option for inspections where traditional sensors are not reliable and a full-blown vision system is too expensive,” said Pascal Dorster, Senior Director, Vision Sensors Business Unit. “The Checker 232 extends the versatility of the Checker product line so customers can solve a broader range of inspection applications more effectively.”

Unlike traditional sensors, there’s no limit to the number of part features that a single Checker can inspect.  Checker uses patent-pending multi-image analysis to determine if a part is present without an external trigger, greatly simplifying installation. This unique capability also enables Checker to track parts in varying positions along the production line, overcoming imprecise part positioning and delivering consistent, precisely timed pass/fall results. No other sensor, vision sensor, or vision system can do this.

The Checker 200 series are simple to set up, small enough to fit almost anywhere, and offer IP67 protection. Checker 232 joins three existing 200 series models: The Checker 200 for part detection, the Checker 201 for part detection and inspection, the Checker 202, with ladder logic when more complex pass / fail decisions are needed. The Checker 232 combines the features of the 202 with the ability to inspect smaller features over a larger area. Checker 201, 202 and 232 are available with the Cognex SensorView^TM 350, a compact, industrial, panel-mount display. The Checker 232 is currently available.

COGNEX EXPANDS INSPECTION CAPABILITIES OF CHECKER VISION SENSORS
Model 252 adds pass/fail inspection of height, width, and diameter

Cognex® Corporation (NASDAQ - CGNX), the world’s leading supplier of machine vision systems and vision sensors, has expanded its Checker vision sensor product line with the Checker® 252 model. The 252 includes all inspection capabilities of the award-winning Checker vision sensor family, plus additional software sensors that verify height, width, and diameter and deliver reliable pass/fail results on high-speed production lines.

Key to the simplicity of the Checker 252 is its One-Click Setup™. By simply clicking on the center of the part feature to be inspected, an image of a familiar caliper appears and locks on the edges of the part feature, sets the minimum and maximum thresholds, and learns edge polarity…all automatically.

“With its unique screen caliper, the Checker 252 makes pass/fail measurement verification simple and reliable” said Pascal Dorster, Vision Sensors Business Unit Manager. “Manufacturers in many industries, such as automotive and packaging, can now verify dimensions of parts with very low-contrast edges and solve a wide range of measurement verification tasks not possible with photoelectric sensors.”

As with other Checker models, the 252 is available with the Cognex SensorView^TM 350, a compact, industrial, panel-mount display. The Checker 252 will be available in November, 2008. For more information, please visit http://www.cognex.com/checker252.

NO PLC REQUIRED FOR NEW COGNEX CHECKER SENSOR

Checker 101E simplifies part tracking and rejection on variable-speed production lines

Natick, MA, March 22, 2006—Cognex Corporation (NASDAQ - CGNX), the world’s leading supplier of machine vision sensors, today announced Checker™ 101E, a new model in the revolutionary Checker family of sensors. Checker sensors are the first and only sensors in the world that use patterns to detect and inspect parts, providing unmatched reliability. Checker 101E offers all the simplicity and power of the original Checker 101, plus it directly accepts encoder signals, eliminating the need for a PLC when tracking and rejecting parts on variable-speed production lines.

“The simple-to-use Checker 101 sensor radically changed the way sensor users detect parts or part features, eliminating the complex wiring, mounting, ladder logic programming, and precise part handling required when using multiple photoelectric sensors,” said Brian Phillips, Cognex Vice President, Expert Sensors. “By directly accepting encoder signals, the Checker 101E eliminates the cost and complexity of a PLC for part tracking and rejection on variable-speed lines. Unlike the shift register of a PLC, which requires programming, Checker’s shift register is automatic, enabling it to accurately track up to 4,000 parts between the inspection and rejection point.”

Acquiring and processing over 500 images per second, Checker is able to detect and inspect parts on the fastest production lines. If inspection is not required, Checker can be used to detect and track parts or webs for improved process control. Checker’s step-by-step setup makes it simple for anyone on the factory floor to deploy.

The Checker 101E is available now.

COGNEX INTRODUCES WORLD’S FASTEST VISION SENSORS

In-Sight 5600 accelerates vision-sensor performance with unmatched speed and resolution

Natick, MA, April 10, 2007—Cognex Corporation (NASDAQ - CGNX), the world’s leading supplier of machine vision sensors and systems, today announced In-Sight® 5600, the world’s fastest vision sensor. In-Sight 5600 vision sensors offer the same rugged design and outstanding performance as the In-Sight 5400 series, but with twice the processing speed and memory to perform inspections at line rates no other vision sensors can match.

“Since their introduction, In-Sight 5000 series vision sensors have helped many manufacturers achieve significant improvements in productivity, quality and cost reduction,” said Kris Nelson, Cognex Senior Vice President, Factory Automation. “Now, with the In-Sight 5600, customers can achieve similar gains on their fastest production lines.”

The In-Sight 5600 product line includes standard (640×480) resolution and two-megapixel (1600×1200) models that deliver reliable performance in high-speed applications. All In-Sight vision sensors have an IP67 (NEMA 4) rating to withstand dust and wash down without an accessory enclosure, and include a powerful library of advanced vision software for inspection, identification, measurement, and alignment tasks.

Cognex is also pleased to announce the latest In-Sight Explorer software release 3.4 with enhanced optical character reading and verification tools, onboard image storage for reviewing inspection results without a PC, plus PROFINET support for easy communication to Siemens PLCs and other factory automation devices. PatMax®, the industry’s performance standard for feature and object location, is available as an option.

In-Sight 5600 vision sensors and In-Sight Explorer 3.4 are available now.