Cognex adds autofocus to DataMan 300

Cognex Corporation (NASDAQ: CGNX), the global leader in industrial ID, today announced the addition of liquid lens optics for the DataMan® 300 series of fixed-mount barcode readers. The new accessory allows any DataMan 300 reader to be easily upgraded from fixed focus to autofocus. Liquid lens variable autofocus technology is ideal for applications that require a large depth of field or when refocusing is needed after a product changeover.

“The liquid lens is a very powerful addition to our DataMan 300 series of ID readers,” said Carl Gerst, Vice President and Business Unit Manager, ID Products. “The autofocus feature makes adjustment to different working distances as simple as pushing a button.”

The DataMan 300 intelligent tuning feature automatically selects the optimum settings for the integrated lighting and for the autofocus optics for each application. This tuning process ensures that the barcode reader will be set up to attain the highest read rates possible for 1-D, 2-D and direct part marked (DPM) codes. The liquid lens can also be adjusted with software or serial commands without having to touch the reader.

For presentation reading, tote scanning and small-package sorting applications, the liquid lens can be configured to dynamically sweep through the full focal range of the optics to find and read barcodes over a wide range of working distances.

DataMan 300 is available in two models. The DataMan 300 has a resolution of 800x600 pixels and the DataMan 302 has a higher resolution of 1280x1024 pixels. The DataMan 302 is ideal for reading very small DPM codes, often found in applications in the automotive and electronics industries.

DataMan readers use the most advanced code reading algorithms. 1DMax+™ uses patent-pending Hotbars™ technology that can locate and extract code data faster and more accurately than any other system. The 2DMax+™ algorithm provides superior reading performance on damaged and poorly marked 2-D codes on both stationary and high speed lines.

The liquid lens accessory for the DataMan 300 is available now. For more information about the DataMan 300 series of fixed-mount ID scanners, visit www.cognex.com/300.

About Cognex
Cognex Corporation designs, develops, manufactures and markets machine vision and industrial ID systems, or devices that can "see." Cognex vision and ID systems are used around the world for a wide range of inspection, identification and guidance applications throughout the manufacturing and distribution process. Cognex is the world's leader in the machine vision and industrial ID industries, having shipped more than 600,000 systems, representing over $3 billion in cumulative revenue, since the company's founding in 1981. Headquartered in Natick, Massachusetts, USA, Cognex has regional offices and distributors located throughout North America, Europe, Asia, Japan and Latin America. For details, visit Cognex on-line at http://www.cognex.com.