Pacifica Papers Selects Cognex for Web Inspection

NATICK, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 21, 2001--Cognex Corporation CGNX, the world's leading supplier of machine vision systems, announced today that Pacifica Papers Inc., a leading North American paper producer, will integrate Cognex's SmartView(TM) web inspection system at their paper mill in Powell River, British Columbia.

The SmartView system will be used to perform automated quality inspection in the production of soft calendered papers. The Cognex machine vision system will inspect the paper for edge cracks, holes, wrinkles, and other defects. Once the paper is inspected by SmartView, it will be sent to a winder for cutting into individual rolls and then shipped to the customer.

'The Cognex system combines cameras of varying resolutions on the inside and outside of the machine, allowing for optimum visibility of the paper,' said Markku Jaaskelainen, General Manager of Cognex's Surface Inspection Systems Division. 'This is especially helpful in spotting edge cracks, which, once eliminated, can greatly reduce rejects and improve overall efficiency.'

SmartView is a state-of-the-art web inspection system that is used to automatically detect, identify, and display defects in papers and other materials as they are being produced. Cognex has sold over 100 SmartView systems since its release in February, 2000, making it the most successful product launch in the history of Cognex's Surface Inspection Systems Division.

Pacifica Papers is a producer of value-added groundwood printing and communications papers including lightweight coated paper, soft nip calendered paper, telephone directory paper, machine finished hibrite paper, and newsprint. Pacifica's operations include two paper mill complexes at Powell River and Port Alberni, British Columbia.

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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 150,000 machine vision systems, representing over $1 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 which are used for inspecting the surfaces of products that are 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.

Contact Information:
Cognex Corporation
John Cacciatore
(508) 650-3300 ext. 3366