Cognex Announces Acquisitions in 3D Vision and in Industrial ID

Cognex acquires Chiaro Technologies in 3D Vision and Webscan in Industrial ID

NATICK, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cognex Corporation (NASDAQ: CGNX) has announced the recent acquisition of two technology companies in the fast-growing areas of 3D vision and industrial ID.


On November 30, 2016, Cognex acquired Boulder, Colorado-based Chiaro Technologies, maker of an innovative 3D machine vision sensor called Cloudburst™. Chiaros Cloudburst sensor offers high-speed, real-time 3D image streaming that is useful in applications where speed is more important than capturing a high resolution image. The Cloudburst sensor provides Cognex with technology complementary to the companys high-performance 3D sensors, which are used for the most challenging 3D vision applications.

On December 9, 2016, Cognex also acquired Webscan, a leader in barcode verification solutions based in Longmont, Colorado. Webscans solution enables manufacturers to ensure that barcodes marked on packages, parts and components are applied accurately before items are shipped, and verifies that codes comply with industry standards.

"These acquisitions add important capabilities in two high-growth areas of Cognexs business," said Robert J. Willett, President and CEO of Cognex. "The Cloudburst sensor enables Cognex to address a wider range of applications and price points in the fast-growing 3D vision market. And the combination of Webscans verification software with our rugged and flexible DataMan® product line will enable Cognex to provide the industrys broadest range of high-performance and easy-to-use verification solutions."

The purchase of Chiaro was Cognexs third 3D vision acquisition during 2016, following the purchase of 3D vision software maker AQSense in August, 2016, and high-performance 3D vision sensor manufacturer EnShape in October, 2016.

About Cognex Corporation

Cognex Corporation designs, develops, manufactures and markets a range of products that incorporate sophisticated machine vision technology that gives them the ability to "see." Cognex products include barcode readers, machine vision sensors and machine vision systems that are used in factories, warehouses and distribution centers around the world to guide, gauge, inspect, identify and assure the quality of items during the manufacturing and distribution process. Cognex is the world's leader in the machine vision industry, having shipped more than 1 million vision-based products, representing over $4 billion in cumulative revenue, since the company's founding in 1981. Headquartered in Natick, Massachusetts, USA, Cognex has regional offices and distributors located throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. For details, visit Cognex online at http://www.cognex.com.

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