La Chaux-de-Fonds, October 14th, 2004 --- Ismeca Europe Semiconductor SA is glad to announce that from October 1^st on, it has taken full ownership of the SMI - 3D technology from PPT Vision Inc., EDEN PRAIRIE, MN 55344, USA. This includes all patents and intellectual property, SMI software and source code, as well as all R&D equipment and work in progress. We would like to express our gratitude to Joe Christenson, CEO of PPT Vision Inc., for his willingness to set on this deal.

This major step will allow Ismeca Semiconductor for an even more effective customization of the 3D vision technology due to our broad understanding of the processes of our customers and with the support of our worldwide resource base. Full transfer of know-how from PPT to Ismeca Semiconductor in Switzerland will be achieved through relocation of key resources from PPT Vision escorted by a strong and continuous engineering support. All 3D activities within Ismeca Semiconductor will be managed from Switzerland by Aldo Salvi and his vision team who have many years of experience in 2D and 3D vision systems with Ismeca.