Cognex Introduces Breakthrough Industrial Code Reading Software.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

NATICK, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 4, 2004

IDMax(TM) Provides Highest Read Rates

in Direct Part Mark ID Applications

Cognex Corporation (NASDAQ: CGNX), the world's leading supplier of machine vision systems and vision sensors, today announced IDMax, a breakthrough in Data Matrix(TM) code reading software. Based upon Cognex's patented PatMax(R) technology, IDMax is designed for Direct Part Mark Identification (DPMI), a fast emerging segment of the industrial ID market that involves directly marking parts with permanent two-dimensional (2D) Data Matrix codes, then reading those codes quickly and reliably throughout the production process.

Assembly and parts suppliers to the Department of Defense, as well as automotive, aerospace, medical device, and electronics manufacturers are increasingly implementing DPMI for error-proofing to ensure that the appropriate manufacturing processes are performed in the correct sequence on the right parts. In addition, DPMI is a vital tool in creating a history of the part from the beginning of its life to the end, for use later in supply chain management and repair depots.

"DPMI is a challenging application, requiring fast and reliable reading of Data Matrix codes marked directly on the toughest surfaces, such as metal, glass, ceramic, and plastic," said Justin Testa, Senior VP of ID Products for Cognex. "These codes can become distorted due to the manufacturing process, and many are poorly marked with missing or inconsistent features. IDMax tolerates these distortions and achieves the high read rates that are vital to the success of any part tracking application."

IDMax code reading software is available now on the new industrial-grade Cognex In-Sight(R) 5100, 5400, and 3400 vision sensors. In addition to reading Data Matrix codes, In-Sight vision sensors can read 1D barcodes, RSS/Composite symbologies and an extensive and expanding list of industry standard codes. These In-Sight vision sensors also include a full library of powerful image processing and analysis tools that offer unparalleled vision performance for inspection, gauging, and assembly verification applications. The unique vision spreadsheet and In-Sight Explorer software make application development and network administration fast and simple.

Cognex Corporation designs, develops, manufactures, and markets machine vision systems and machine vision sensors, or computers that can "see." Cognex is the world's leader in the machine vision industry, having shipped more than 200,000 vision systems, representing over $1.5 billion in cumulative revenue, since the company's founding in 1981. Cognex's Modular Vision Systems Division, headquartered in Natick, Massachusetts, specializes in machine vision systems which are used for automating the manufacture of a wide range of discrete items and for assuring their quality. Cognex's Surface Inspection Systems Division, headquartered in Alameda, California, specializes in machine vision systems which are used for inspecting the surfaces of products manufactured in a continuous fashion, such as metals, paper, and plastics. In addition to its corporate headquarters in Natick, Massachusetts, Cognex also has regional offices located throughout North America, Japan, Europe, and Southeast Asia. Visit Cognex on-line at http://www.cognex.com.