Adept Technology Selected by Prodosyst Automation to Provide Robots and Vision

„Adept Technology Selected by Prodosyst Automation to Provide Robots and Guidance Vision for Automated Medical Device Assembly System
\r\nLIVERMORE, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Dec. 17, 2003–Prodosyst’s TrueFlex(TM) System Utilizes Adept Cobra(TM) SCARA Robots, AdeptVision(TM), and Unique Part Changeover Design Enabling Manufacturers to Cost-Effectively Apply Automation Across Their Entire Product Line with a Single System
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\r\n“;“Adept Technology, Inc. (OTCBB:ADTK – News), a leading manufacturer of flexible automation for the medical device and life sciences, semiconductor, electronics, automotive, fiber optic, and telecommunications industries, today announced that Prodosyst Automation, a leading supplier of automated systems for medical device manufacturing, has standardized on Adept robots, vision systems and controls for their TrueFlex(TM) automated medical device assembly system. Prodosyst has selected Adept Cobra(TM) robots and AdeptVision(TM) with Adept ObjectFinder(TM) locator tool for vision-based part feeding and automated assembly operations. The TrueFlex system uses high-speed robots, easy-to-train vision systems, together with interchangeable part fixtures and pre-programmed assembly \“recipes\“ to provide modular, flexible and easily configurable assembly systems that enable medical device manufacturers to cost effectively apply automation across their entire product line and more easily justify automation investments. \r\n\“We are very pleased that Prodosyst has standardized on Adept robots and vision systems and their selection continues to validate Adept’s leadership in high-performance flexible robotic automation,\“ said John Dulchinos, vice president of sales for Adept Technology, Inc. \“The TrueFlex(TM) system offers medical device manufacturers a flexible and cost-effective method for introducing automation into their manufacturing operations.\“
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\r\n\“Adept’s tightly integrated robots, vision system and software allowed us to develop the TrueFlex(TM) system as a truly flexible automated part feeding and assembly system that can be easily deployed,\“ said David Stroup, chairman and chief technology officer of Prodosyst Automation, Inc. \“With Adept’s powerful robot and vision products and Prodosyst’s extensive medical device assembly experience, we believe the TrueFlex(TM) system offers manufacturer’s an easy-to-support assembly system that enables rapid product changeover and quickly adapts to product changes with minimum downtime and retooling costs.\“
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\r\nThe TrueFlex(TM)automated assembly system is designed specifically for the needs of the medical device industry. With frequent product changes and new product introductions, medical device manufacturers demand automated systems that have the ability to quickly perform part changeovers and adapt to new products. Using high-speed robotics and vision guidance, the TrueFlex(TM) system allows parts to be fed into the assembly process without relying on dedicated bowl feeders and part-specific escapements. With Prodosyst’s unique interchangeable part fixtures and pre-programmed assembly \“recipes\“, part changeover can be easily achieved with minimum delays and risk. The design of the TrueFlex(TM) system allows easy access to all part feeders, robots and electrical panels minimizing maintenance and downtime.
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\r\nThe Adept Cobra(TM) SCARA robot family delivers an unsurpassed combination of performance, ease-of-integration and scalability. The Adept Cobra s600(TM) robot includes an embedded multi-channel amplifier in the robot for simple integration and maximum ease-of-use. The Adept Cobra s600 robot offers advanced options for vision guided motion, conveyor tracking, and auxiliary axes for your most challenging automation needs. Using the Adept SmartServo(TM) architecture, which replaces hundreds of wires and connections with a single FireWire® (IEEE-1394) cable, multiple Adept robots can be controlled and coordinated from a single Adept controller. Adept Cobra robots are available in cleanroom configurations, ideal for medical device assembly applications. AdeptVision sAVI(TM), Adept’s powerful guidance vision package, includes the Adept ObjectFinder(TM) vision locator tool that quickly and accurately recognizes multiple objects and patterns regardless of orientation and scale. Adept ObjectFinder uses the most advanced object recognition technology resulting in robust performance in vision-guided assembly and vision-based part feeding applications.
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\r\nAdept will be showcasing its Adept Cobra s600 robot and AdeptVision sAVI vision products at the MD&M show, booth #2342 in Anaheim, CA January 6-8, 2004.
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\r\nProdosyst Automation, with headquarters in San Diego, CA and installations worldwide, is a systems integrator and designer of turnkey, high-speed automation systems. Prodosyst designs and manufactures advanced, fully integrated automation systems tailored to meet its customer’s unique production needs. Prodosyst is experienced in a wide range of industries including medical device, pharmaceutical and life sciences. More information is available at www.prodosyst.com.
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\r\nAdept Technology designs, manufactures and markets factory automation components and systems for the fiber optic, telecommunications, semiconductor, automotive, food and durable goods industries throughout the world. Adept’s robots, controllers, and software products are used for small parts assembly, material handling and ultra precision process applications. Our intelligent automation product lines include industrial robots, configurable linear modules, flexible feeders, semiconductor process components, nanopositioners, machine controllers for robot mechanisms and other flexible automation equipment, machine vision, systems and software, application software, and simulation software. Founded in 1983, Adept is America’s largest manufacturer of industrial robots. More information is available at www.adept.com.
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\r\nThis press release contains certain forward-looking statements including statements regarding liquidity, expenses, revenue and future operating results that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. The company’s actual results could differ materially from those expressed in any of the above forward-looking statements for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to, its customers ability to pay invoices in a timely manner and lack of unexpected cash obligations, the risk that some of its customers may become insolvent, future economic, competitive and market conditions including those in Europe and Asia and those related to the company’s strategic markets; the company’s continuing operating losses causing the company to need to raise additional financing in the future and the effect of the financing on current stockholders; the cyclicality of capital spending of the company’s customers, including in the semiconductor industry and lack of long-term customer contracts; the company’s dependence on the continued growth of the intelligent automation market; the company’s highly competitive industry; rapid technological change within the intelligent automation industry; the lengthy sales cycles for the company’s products; the company’s significant fixed costs which are not easily reduced; the risks associated with sole or single sources of supply and lengthy procurement lead times; the risks associated with acquisitions, including integration risks associated with our previous acquisitions; the risks associated with product defects; the potential delays associated with the development and introduction of new products or software releases; or decreased acceptance of the company’s new or current products in the marketplace.
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\r\nFor a discussion of additional risk factors relating to Adept’s business, see Adept’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2003, as amended, and its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 27, 2003 including the discussion in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained therein.
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\r\nThe Adept logo is a registered trademark of Adept Technology, Inc. Adept, Adept Cobra, AdeptVision, Adept ObjectFinderAdept Cobra s600, Adept SmartServo, and AdeptVision sAVI are trademarks of Adept Technology. All other trademarks are owned by their respective companies.
\r\nContact:
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\r\n Adept Technology, Inc.
\r\n Val Cureton, 925-245-3490 (Press and Industry Analysts)
\r\n val.cureton@adept.com
\r\n Michael Overby, 925-245-3523 (Financial Analysts)
\r\n investor.relations@adept.com
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\r\nSource: Adept Technology, Inc.“;0;97;3;“admin“;““;0;““;0;0;0;0;0