Pullman Industries Gets First ABB TrueView™ Robotic Systems Using
Braintech’s New 2.5D Vision Guidance Technology
(Posted 07/27/2004)
NORTH VANCOUVER, B.C., - July 27, 2004 - Braintech, Inc. (OTCBB:BRHI),
a pioneer in 3D-Vision Guided Robotics (‘‘VGR’‘), announced the first
installation of its new Inferential Depth Measurement™ (‘‘IDM™’‘)
technology, embedded in TrueView™ robotic systems from ABB. IDM
provides 2.5D robot guidance and is targeted for processes that do not
require or allow for complete 3D part location variance, but that are
more complex than basic 2D tasks. A request made possible by the
determination of Duesenburg Inc. to push the envelope.
Pullman Industries, Inc., a leading full-service automotive component
and modular assembly supplier, installed the two systems in its Butler,
Indiana facility. Each system runs a pair of robots (another first for
the ABB/Braintech product), allowing two operators on each of two shifts
to be assigned to other tasks. The return-on-investment timeline is
less than one year, based on labor cost savings alone, and not taking
into account improvements in quality, line speed and ergonomics.
Braintech’s 2.5D solution, the latest plug-in technology for
eVisionFactory™, exploits visual cues such as size and shape variations
among parts to compute not only the planar x, y and rotation of a given
part, but also its height, or z coordinate, relative to the robot’s
coordinate system. Consequently, IDM eliminates the need for using
extraneous height measurement devices, such as tactile sensors and laser
range finders that have been required in traditional 2D systems.
Moreover, Braintech’s 2.5D system can be easily upgraded to 3D.
‘‘Meeting the diverse and complex needs of industrial manufacturers has
served as a driving force behind Braintech for many years. However,
working with ABB and Mr. Hunar Sakri of Duesenburg Inc to deliver a
comprehensive, flexible and cost-saving line of robotic systems
specifically designed to address the unique production requirements of
our customers is proving to inspire an important revolution in
industrial automation. We are pleased to announce this successful
installation and look forward to building on the momentum we are
experiencing in the market place,’‘ stated Babak Habibi, President and
COO of Braintech.
About ABB
ABB’s Robotic, Automotive and Manufacturing group is a leading supplier
of robots, robotic systems and automation systems to the automotive,
manufacturing and consumer industries. With more than 120,000 robots
installed worldwide and more than 5,000 employees, ABB is a global
leader in flexible factory automation.
ABB is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility
and industry customers to improve performance while lowering
environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in 100
countries and employs about 115,000 people worldwide. With an installed
base of more than 120,000 robots, the Automation Technologies division
employs about 56,000 and posted 2002 revenues of US $9.9 Billion.
About Braintech, Inc. (www.braintech.com)
Braintech’s VGR technologies are revolutionizing manufacturing by giving
industrial robots the ‘‘eyes’‘ to handle and assemble parts with a high
degree of consistent quality and productivity. Braintech's scientific
capabilities, engineering expertise and commitment to support are
embedded in the Company's VGR software product called ‘‘eVFTM’‘ and is
used to develop, operate and support VGR solutions. To date,
Braintech’s VGR solutions have been installed at Ford Motor Company,
General Motors, Delphi, TI Automotive Group and Toyota.
IDM, SC3D, eVF and eVisionFactory are trademarks of Braintech Canada,
Inc.
TrueView and ABB are trademarks of ABB, Inc.
Statements in this document (as well as information included in oral
statements or other written statements made or to be made by Braintech,
Inc.) that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements,
including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or
intentions regarding the future. Forward-looking statements in this
news release include statements regarding the Company’s belief that it
has pioneered 3D-Vision Guided Robotics, that these installed systems
provide a return-on-investment timeline of less than one year, that
working with ABB is inspiring an important revolution in industrial
automation, that we are looking forward to building on the momentum we
are experiencing in the market place, and that our technologies are
revolutionizing manufacturing. It is important to note that actual
outcomes and the Company's actual results could differ materially from
those in such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause
actual results to differ materially include risks and uncertainties such
as technical difficulties in developing the products; competition from
other suppliers of similar products; pricing that may not be acceptable
to potential markets; problems with the transport of the products
produced; failure for a market to develop for the products; the
inability of the Company to finance its obligations under agreements;
the failure of the Automotive sector to grow at the rate thought likely;
and many other known and unknown factors that affect the technology and
automotive industry in general. Readers should also refer to the risk
disclosures outlined in the Company's annual report on Form 10-KSB for
the 2003 fiscal year and the Company's quarterly reports on Form 10-QSB
filed from time to time with the SEC.
For more information, please contact:
Braintech, Inc.
Jim Dara, VP Sales, GM North American Operations
248-219-9400 /
jimdara@braintech.com
or
Elite Financial Communications Group
Stephanie Noiseux, EVP of Client Relations
407-585-1080 /
brhi@efcg.net
or
Duesenburg Inc (Automation Group)
iinfo@duesenburg.com
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