Cognex Selected as Machine Vision Supplier by Palomar Technologies

NATICK, Mass.--March 15, 2004--Cognex Corporation , the world's leading supplier of machine vision systems, announced today that Palomar Technologies, a leading manufacturer of automated, high-precision assembly systems for the electronics, automotive, aerospace and medical industries, has integrated Cognex's MVS-8000(TM) machine vision system into its new Model 8000 thermosonic wire bonder.

Wirebonders are automated, high-speed, and highly accurate machines used during the manufacture of semiconductor chips to attach semiconductor die to lead frames and other substrates. The Cognex MVS-8000 vision systems will be used to guide and monitor the bonding process by automatically determining where the connections between the die and lead frame are to be made. Using Cognex machine vision, the Palomar Model 8000 bonder is able to place eight tightly-spaced wires per second, with a repeatability of better than five microns.

"Palomar has relied on Cognex as our primary vision supplier for the past 15 years," said Bruce Hueners, Vice President of Marketing for Palomar Technologies. "We consider the engineering staff at Cognex to be an extension of our own, and we capitalize on their name recognition and leadership position in the industry to help promote our products. Cognex machine vision has been one of the important features that differentiates our product, and it provides our customers with a strategic competitive advantage."

"Palomar Technologies is a leader in precision assembly automation, and we are proud that Cognex machine vision helps them provide the highest possible speed, yield and accuracy to their customers," said Dr. Robert J. Shillman, Cognex's CEO and Chairman.

About Palomar Technologies

Palomar Technologies leads the market in precision automation equipment and services for the production of microelectronic components. The company's automated equipment eliminates manual processes by precisely placing and attaching small silicon or compound semiconductor chips to their package. The Model 8000 wire bonder is capable of handling large hybrids, MCMs (multichip modules) or several smaller devices at one time. Established in 1975 as part of Hughes Aircraft Company, Palomar has been an independent company since 1995.

About Cognex

Cognex Corporation designs, develops, manufactures, and markets machine vision systems, or computers that can "see." Cognex is the world's leader in the machine vision industry, having shipped more than 200,000 machine 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 that 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.