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Balluff Acquires Capacitive-Sensor Manufacturer

German-based capacitive-sensor manufacturer SIE Sensorik, with U.S. offices in Toledo, OH, has been acquired by Balluff, Inc., a manufacturer of inductive, capacitive, photoelectric, magnetoresistive, magnetostrictive, RFID and vision sensors. Balluff, a subsidiary of Balluff GmbH, maintains its North American headquarters is in Florence, KY; www.balluff.com. SIE will be fully integrated into the global operations of Balluff.

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Caterpillar Names Lincoln Electric Outstanding Supplier

The Lincoln Electric Company, Cleveland, OH, received the Caterpillar Supplier Quality Excellence Process Certification according to the MQ11005 standard. Lincoln Electric, a Caterpillar certified supplier since 1991, becomes the first welding-consumable manufacturer to deceive the designation. Caterpillar’s new certification program recognizes suppliers that are working toward zero defects in the manufacturing process. It combines third-party ISO 9001:2000 registration and full ISO/TS 16949:2002 compliance along with Caterpillar-unique elements taken from the new MP11005 principles. Only suppliers with a demonstrated history of success using Six Sigma are eligible for the certification. Lincoln Electric is online at www.lincolnelectric.com.

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Website Hosts Dozens of Machine-Vision Case Studies

Cognex Corp., Natick, MA, a manufacturer of machine-vision sensors and systems, has launched a new website at www.cognex.com that hosts more than 80 application case studies, selectable by industry and application, illustrating how manufacturing companies benefit from the use of machine vision. Also new to the site is a section called Working with Cognex, which provides options for learning more about vision technology through a variety of seminars, training programs and tradeshows.

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