Manufacturing of GPS Indicating Device Combines RVSI’s BGA Inspection, Placement System, Data Matrix

CANTON, MASSACHUSETTS - March 4, 2002 -Robotic Vision Systems, Inc. (RVSI) (NASDAQ: ROBV) today said it has received orders from a major Electronic Manufacturing Services (EMS) provider for ball placement, ball-grid-array inspection, and Data Matrix mark verification equipment for the manufacture of an innovative global positioning system (GPS) device.  The value of the order is in excess of half a million dollars.

The EMS provider will mark a printed circuit board panel with a Data Matrix, a two-dimensional bar code that encodes, in a very small space, sufficient information to individually identify each circuit assembly.  A DMx Verifier+ system from RVSI's Acuity CiMatrix Division will grade the quality of the Data Matrix mark and verify that it is readable.

As the GPS system is assembled, a VAi 6300 from RVSI's Semiconductor Equipment Group will place solder balls on the grid-array side of the assembly, while semiconductors are placed on the reverse side.  Inside the ball placement equipment, two-dimensional vision inspection equipment from RVSI Acuity CiMatrix will inspect the grid-array side of the assembled devices while still in panel form.  Finally, at the end of the assembly process, an LS 7700 3-D vision inspection system from RVSI's Semiconductor Equipment Group will perform coplanarity checks and other vision inspections of the singulated devices.  The results of these inspections will then be collated, recorded and analyzed for quality control purposes; the identity of each individual assembly kept distinct by means of the Data Matrix mark on it.

"This is fresh evidence that RVSI stands at the intersection of quality and productivity," says Pat V. Costa, RVSI's chairman and chief executive officer.  "We are the world leader in each of the three product areas purchased by the EMS provider - BGA ball placement, BGA grid inspection, and Data Matrix mark verification. Using the breadth of RVSI equipment in this type of application helps ensure that the highest level of manufacturing quality control and end-of-line inspection is achieved.

"Data Matrix 2-D bar codes have found increasing acceptance as a means of achieving unit level traceability on industrial parts," he said.  "This particular application is part of a growing trend in which EMS providers are extending the use of unit level traceability to printed circuit boards and BGA assemblies.  We believe that Data Matrix and printed circuit boards are a natural and cost-effective combination.  We're pleased that EMS providers are increasingly coming to share that view."

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About RVSI
Robotic Vision Systems, Inc. (RVSI) (NASDAQ:ROBV) has the most comprehensive line of machine vision systems available today. Headquartered in Canton, Massachusetts, with offices worldwide, RVSI is the world leader in vision-based semiconductor inspection and media transfer equipment. Using leading-edge technology, RVSI joins vision-enabled process equipment, high-performance optics, lighting, and advanced hardware and software to assure product quality, identify and track parts, control manufacturing processes, and ultimately enhance profits for companies worldwide. Serving the semiconductor, electronics, aerospace, automotive, pharmaceutical and packaging industries, RVSI holds approximately 100 patents in a broad range of technologies.

Forward Looking Statement
Except for the historical information herein, certain matters discussed in this release include forward-looking statements that may involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may vary significantly based on a number of factors, including, but not limited to: the historical cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry, risks in products and technology development, market acceptance of new products and continuing product demand, the impact of competitive products and pricing, changing economic conditions, both here and abroad, timely development and release of new products, strategic suppliers and customers, the effect of the company's accounting policies and other risk factors detailed in the Company's most recent registration statement, annual report on Form 10-K and 10K/A, and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

For further information contact:
Neal H. Sanders
RVSI
5 Shawmut Road
Canton, MA  02021
Tel: 781-302-2439  Fax: 781-302-2440