Perceptron Announces In-Line Bookings in North America (July 29, 2019)

Perceptron Announces In-Line Bookings in North America New Order for 13 Systems to Measure New Vehicle Platform

PLYMOUTH, Mich., July 29, 2019 — Perceptron, Inc. (NASDAQ:PRCP), a leading global provider of 3D automated metrology solutions and coordinate measuring machines, today announced it has received an order for 13 systems from a prominent North American OEM for their  upcoming 2021 model year vehicle launch.

“We continue to see significant interest in our technology throughout the Americas and with both current and prospective customers,” Rick Van Valkenburg, Vice President Global Sales and Marketing for Perceptron, commented. “Parallel to this demand, we remain committed to our established development path and continuously improving our product line. This order includes nine robot guidance systems, three automated metrology stations and one gap and flush system. All systems are in-line, measuring or guiding 100 percent of production on every model manufactured at the OEM plant.”

Robot guidance applications include net form and pierce, hinge attachment, roof load, door load and liftgate load; while automated metrology systems measure the rails, underbody, pallet; and gap and flush station for closure panel fit. Perceptron utilizes a combination of robot mounted and structure mounted Helix-evo and Helix-solo sensors to perform the required 10 to 70 measurements per station.

“Perceptron’s experience, accuracy, and reliability are competitive advantages that helped secure this order,” added Van Valkenburg. “All of the stations are connected to exchange data as ‘virtual measurements’ for the next assembly operation, decreasing redundant measurements and sensor count. This capability of using robotic, structure, and virtual measurements significantly reduces the cycle time and enables significant cost savings for our OEM partners.”

All systems are currently in design with installation scheduled for Fall 2019.

 

About Perceptron Perceptron (NASDAQ: PRCP) develops, produces and sells a comprehensive range of automated industrial metrology products and solutions to manufacturing organizations for dimensional gauging, dimensional inspection and 3D scanning. Products include 3D machine vision solutions, robot guidance, coordinate measuring machines, laser scanning and advanced analysis software. Global automotive, aerospace and other manufacturing companies rely on Perceptron’s metrology solutions to assist in managing their complex manufacturing processes to improve quality, shorten product launch times and reduce costs. Headquartered in Plymouth, Michigan, USA, Perceptron has subsidiary operations in Brazil, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Slovakia, Spain and the United Kingdom.  

Safe Harbor Statement Certain statements in this press release may be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including the Company’s expectation relating to the ability to successfully develop and introduce new products and expand into new customers and markets. When we use words such as “target,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “prospects,” “outlook,” “guidance” or similar expressions, we are making forward-looking statements. We claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 for all of our forward-looking statements. While we believe that our forward-looking statements are reasonable, you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Because these forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions that are subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control or are subject to change, actual results could be materially different. Factors that might cause such a difference include, without limitation, the risks and uncertainties discussed from time to time in our periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those listed in “Item 1A – Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2018.  Except as required by applicable law, we do not undertake, and expressly disclaim, any obligation to publicly update or alter our statements whether as a result of new information, events or circumstances occurring after the date of this report or otherwise.

Perceptron Announces Robot Guidance Orders for Electric Vehicle Production (July 22, 2019)

Perceptron Announces Robot Guidance Orders for Electric Vehicle Production

Offers Accurate and Flexible Automated Solution for Battery Pack Insertion

PLYMOUTH, Mich., July 22, 2019 — Perceptron, Inc. (NASDAQ:PRCP), a leading global provider of 3D automated metrology solutions and coordinate measuring machines, today announced it has received two robot guidance orders involving battery packs from two different OEM partners.

Rick Van Valkenburg, Vice President Global Sales and Marketing for Perceptron, commented, “The wide-sweeping revolution of electric vehicle production provides new challenges for our OEM partners and an opportunity for Perceptron to help solve those challenges. The need for large battery packs that are awkward, heavy and expensive, make their insertion into the vehicle a perfect application for Perceptron’s automated solution compared to a manual operation. These batteries are also the heart of an electric vehicle, so the accurate, robust, and flexible system that we provide is critical.”

“Perceptron is well positioned for the future due to our ongoing investments in new product innovation and development,” said David Watza, President and CEO of Perceptron. “There is a dramatic strategic change in the product planning of the automotive industry to autonomous and electric vehicles. We believe our early start on our strategic development path will position Perceptron to capitalize on and benefit from these changes in both the near future, as we’re seeing with these orders, and longer term.”

Perceptron’s first robot guidance application utilizes two gripper mounted Helixevo sensors to unload battery packs from an automatic guided vehicle (AGV) and places them on a pallet and into the manufacturing line. The AGV’s position can vary, making the sensors’ large measurement volume critical for sensing and locating the battery for proper pickup. The pallet’s position can also vary and locating pins on the pallet are measured to avoid collision and guarantee an optimized placement before releasing the battery pack. This operation is incredibly efficient, with measurement completion in less than 30 seconds.

The Company’s second robot guidance application also uses two gripper mounted Helixevo sensors. The sensors provide a variety of capabilities, including measurement of the battery pack and the ability to pick it up, move it to the vehicle, measure the vehicle, calculate an adjusted path, send the new path to the robot, and finally place the battery pack inside the vehicle. This whole process provides customers with maximum efficiency and accuracy compared to manual operation. The sensors’ measurement of both the battery pack and the vehicle, while accounting for the part and process variation of the battery and vehicle, ensures the ideal matchup of components.

The first project is currently being installed and the second project is scheduled for Fall 2019.

About Perceptron
Perceptron (NASDAQ: PRCP) develops, produces and sells a comprehensive range of automated industrial metrology products and solutions to manufacturing organizations for dimensional gauging, dimensional inspection and 3D scanning. Products include 3D machine vision solutions, robot guidance, coordinate measuring machines, laser scanning and advanced analysis software. Global automotive, aerospace and other manufacturing companies rely on Perceptron’s metrology solutions to assist in managing their complex manufacturing processes to improve quality, shorten product launch times and reduce costs. Headquartered in Plymouth, Michigan, USA, Perceptron has subsidiary operations in Brazil, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Slovakia, Spain and the United Kingdom.

Safe Harbor Statement
Certain statements in this press release may be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including the Company’s expectation relating to the ability to successfully develop and introduce new products and expand into new customers and markets. When we use words such as “target,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “prospects,” “outlook,” “guidance” or similar expressions, we are making forward-looking statements. We claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 for all of our forward-looking statements. While we believe that our forward- looking statements are reasonable, you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Because these forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions that are subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control or are subject to change, actual results could be materially different. Factors that might cause such a difference include, without limitation, the risks and uncertainties discussed from time to time in our periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those listed in “Item 1A – Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2018.  Except as required by applicable law, we do not undertake, and expressly disclaim, any obligation to publicly update or alter our statements whether as a result of new information, events or circumstances occurring after the date of this report or otherwise.

Contact:
Investor Relations
investors@perceptron.com