FARO Technologies Announces AnthroCAM Portable-Measure 3.0

26 August 1998
FARO Technologies Announces AnthroCAM Portable-Measure 3.0
   New Streamlined Release Uses ACIS Platform to Reduce Price, Simplify Use

    LAKE MARY, Fla., Aug. 26 -- FARO Technologies, Inc.
, global provider of CAD (Computer Aided Design)-based quality
assurance solutions, announced today the immediate availability of
AnthroCAM(R) Portable-Measure 3.0, a lower-priced, easier-to-use, faster,
streamlined version of FARO's standard-setting 3-D CAD-based measurement and
analysis software.
    This new version of AnthroCAM integrates ACIS(R) 3-D modeling technology,
from Spatial Technology, Inc. (Amex: STY), as its geometry engine.  The ACIS
platform replaces Autodesk's Mechanical Desktop(R), the platform on which
earlier versions of AnthroCAM have been based, and results in a lower price to
users.
    "Our research shows that over 90% of our current customers are not using
the full capability of the Mechanical Desktop functions included with earlier
versions of AnthroCAM," stated Daniel T. Buckles, Vice President of Sales.
"We have found that most customers primarily use the CAD-based measurement
functions.  By using ACIS technology as the platform, the same fundamental
platform that Autodesk uses for Mechanical Desktop, we are able to streamline
AnthroCAM Portable-Measure 3.0, provide a more suitable product for the
factory floor setting, and reduce the cost to our customers to own and to
maintain the program," he added.
    "In addition to being more functional in the factory setting, AnthroCAM
Portable-Measure 3.0 also incorporates a new interface that is 100% Windows(R)
compliant.  With tabbed windows and drop down boxes, this interface allows
users to navigate through the program more easily," stated Dan Perreault,
Director of Installations and Applications.  "It also runs faster than
previous releases and doesn't require CAD knowledge or experience."
    "Our continued effort to bring CAD to the factory floor is dramatically
enhanced by this product," stated Simon Raab, President and Chief Executive
Officer.  "We are offering a more streamlined product for the factory floor,
and at the same time we are reducing our production costs," noted Raab.
    For those customers who do require the functionality of a complete CAD
system, FARO will continue to develop AnthroCAM based on the Autodesk
Mechanical Desktop platform.  To meet the needs of those customers, FARO is
releasing AnthroCAM Portable-Reverse Engineer 2.3 as a replacement for
AnthroCAM version 2.0.  Version 2.3, like version 2.0, is based on the
Autodesk platform.  Available immediately, AnthroCAM Portable-Reverse Engineer
2.3 includes new features such as graphical reporting and multi-device
interfaces.
    AnthroCAM Portable-Measure 3.0 is priced at $9,990, or as much as $5,000
less than AnthroCAM Portable-Reverse Engineer 2.3, which is priced at $15,240
and will increase to $19,990 with the next version of Autodesk's platform.
    "We are pleased to offer our customers and future customers the freedom to
choose the software package -- streamlined or robust -- that best fits their
specific application," said Buckles.
    FARO Technologies, Inc. and its international subsidiaries are pioneers in
CAD-based quality assurance products.  These products play a key role in the
worldwide trend toward CAD-based total quality management for shortened
production cycles and the reduction in scrap and rework.  FARO's product line
includes portable measurement equipment, a broad line of CAD-based inspection
software, and enterprise level statistical process control (SPC) software for
portable and fixed-base coordinate measurement machines.  FARO's products are
used worldwide by more than 700 customers.  News and information are available
at the company's website at http://www.faro.com.
    AnthroCAM(R) is a registered trademark of FARO Technologies Inc.
ACIS(R) is a registered trademark of Spatial Technology, Inc.  Mechanical
Desktop(R) is a registered trademark of Autodesk, Inc. Windows(R) is a
registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
    This press release contains "forward looking statements" within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Such
forward-looking statements, including the predicted cost savings and industry
reduction in scrap and rework involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties
or other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements
of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance
or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to:
changes in software prices and changes in production methods leading to less
scrap.  These factors are discussed more fully in FARO's public filings,
including its most recent 10K and 10Q filings, with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.