Cognex machine vision selected by Campbell Soup

JUNE 9--Cognex Corporation (Natick, MA; www.cognex.com), a supplier of machine-vision systems, announced that Campbell Soup Company has chosen Cognex as its supplier of machine-vision systems for ensuring proper product labeling throughout all of Campbell's plants in North America. The Cognex MVS-8500 vision system will ensure that each can of Campbell soup has the proper label by first verifying the inkjet-printed product code that is marked on the bottom of each can before the label is applied. These codes contain production information specific to each type of soup, and after the code is read the appropriate label will then be automatically applied. The MVS-8500 is capable of checking these codes while the cans are moving at the maximum production rate, virtually eliminating the possibility of product mislabeling.

"At Campbell Soup, we are very focused on the continuous improvement of our products and production processes. The Cognex machine-vision system gives us another level of safety, knowing that every single can is being inspected," said Steve Demuri, Campbell Soup research program manager. "Using Cognex systems, we can be assured that the right product is in the right can."

"Our success in this application proves the versatility and flexibility of Cognex software. Reading codes in Campbell's production environment is very different from reading codes on the surfaces of semiconductor wafers in clean rooms, which has historically been one of our largest applications," said Cognex CEO and chairman Robert J. Shillman. "I've always predicted that Cognex systems would be used to inspect everything "from soup to nuts," and now, we're halfway there! If you have a "nutty" machine vision application, please give us a call."

Campbell Soup Company is a global manufacturer and marketer of soup, sauce, beverage, biscuit, confectionery, and prepared food products. The company is 134 years old, with nearly $7 billion in annual sales and a portfolio of more than 20 brands. For more information on the company, visit Campbell's Web site: www.campbellsoup.com.

Cognex Corporation designs, develops, manufactures, and markets machine vision systems, or computers that can "see." Cognex has shipped more than 200,000 machine-vision systems, representing more than $1.5 billion in cumulative revenue, since its founding in 1981.