Cognex In-Sight Explorer 4.5 Offers the Most Advanced Inspection Tools Available

NATICK, MA USA April 12, 2011. Cognex Corporation (NASDAQ: CGNX), the world's leading supplier of machine vision systems, has released a new version of In-Sight® Explorer 4.5 expanding the capabilities of In-Sight vision systems and giving In-Sight the most advanced inspection tools available today. In-Sight Explorer 4.5 inspection tools now include an all-in-one edge and surface inspection tool, an all-in-one bead width and position tool, and a robust ID tool that reads multiple codes at one time, allowing In-Sight cameras to read barcodes and provide inspections simultaneously.

The new Flexible Flaw Detection (FFD) edge and surface inspection tool works for both color and grayscale applications and is used to inspect for boundary defects, such as conformity of shape, and surface defects like stains and scratches. FFD can also be used for print inspections, like inspecting screened logos for defects. FFD also gives users the flexibility to select accuracy versus speed requirements and the ability to ignore defects during system run time.

“Normal process variation causes false rejects without flex tools," said Bhaskar Banerjee, Business Unit Manager for Cognex Vision Systems. “Our new Flex Flaw Detection tool provides a more accurate inspection that overcomes errors from lens and perspective distortion, scale changes, print registration errors, and stretch from line scan images in one easy tool.”

In-Sight Explorer 4.5 also includes two new EasyBuilder® user interface tools, Bead Finder and Bead Tracker. Bead Finder and Bead Tracker are easy-to-use tools that find positional defects and width-based defects and gaps, and also provide all bead data needed for process control.

ReadIDMax, was also added to In-Sight Explorer 4.5. ReadIDMax is based on the powerful and field-proven ID algorithms 1DMax™ and 2DMax™ for 1-D barcode and 2-D matrix code reading. ReadIDMax adds the ability to read up to 128 codes at one time regardless of the position of the code in the field-of-view. Now, end users can read multiple codes and inspect parts simultaneously.

In-Sight Explorer 4.5 also includes communication enhancements that include support for CIP-Sync, a precision clock synchronization protocol and UDP communication. In-Sight Explorer 4.5 also supports sending camera control commands from Mitsubishi PLC using MC Protocol.

Available in a wide range of models to meet any price and performance requirement, In-Sight smart cameras set the standard for automated inspection and quality assurance across a wide range of industries. In-Sight vision systems can be easily integrated with any factory network or automation control system and feature an optional operator display panel for monitoring the runtime operation of any In-Sight vision system on the network.

The new In-Sight Explorer 4.5 is available now. For more information, or to download a free trial version, visit www.cognex.com/explorer.

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.