The Cognex Corporation, USA, announced that it has signed in December 2009 a supply agreement with the German automaker BMW AG. Under the terms of the multi-year agreement, Cognex will supply DataMan handheld and In-Sight fixed-mount ID readers to BMW manufacturing plants worldwide. In addition, Cognex will provide ongoing technical support to BMW personnel.

The Cognex ID readers will be used to read codes marked directly on engine parts and gear assemblies as they go through production. Reading codes that are marked directly on parts at multiple stages during production enables manufacturers to verify that the parts have been processed correctly at each stage and creates a traceable path for each part throughout the entire production process and supply chain.

"German automobiles are known around the world for excellent engineering, performance and for their extremely high standard of quality," said Dr. Robert J. Shillman, Chairman and CEO of Cognex. "Today, Cognex ID readers are a critical part of the process control systems that enable these companies to error-proof production and continue to meet customers' ever-increasing quality expectations."
Award-winning DataMan and In-Sight image-based ID readers provide high-reliability reading of 1D and 2D codes in a wide range of applications, from the easiest-to-read high contrast codes that are printed on labels to the most difficult codes that are directly marked on metal, glass, ceramic, and plastic parts.