Press Release

TAMRON ANNOUNCES THREE HIGH-RESOLUTION FIXED FOCAL LENSES FOR INDUSTRIAL USE

New Factory Automation Lenses Designed Especially for High Resolution 1/1.8” Mega-Pixel CCDs

June 20, 2007, Commack, NY— Tamron USA, Inc. announced three new high-resolution fixed focal lenses for industrial use that are ideal for use with 1/1.8-inch mega-pixel CCD cameras. The lineup is as follows:

• 16mm high-resolution fixed focal lens for industrial use, for 1/1.8" mega-pixel CCDs (Model M118FM16) – Under development

• 25mm high-resolution fixed focal lens for industrial use, for 1/1.8" mega-pixel CCDs (Model M118FM25) – For new release

• 50mm high-resolution fixed focal lens for industrial use, for 1/1.8" mega-pixel CCDs (Model M118FM50) – For new release

DEVELOPMENT CONCEPT

In recent years, the resolution of factory automation and machine vision mega-pixel cameras has increased to meet the requirements of higher level applications. These cameras are used in a variety of industrial applications, including printed circuit board manufacturing equipment, testing and inspection equipment, and many other types of production engineering equipment.

Tamron is engaged in the development and sale of lenses that offer higher image quality for factory automation and machine vision cameras, namely its models 23FM16SP, 23FM25SP and 23FM50SP, which are high-resolution fixed focal lenses for industrial use, designed for 2/3" mega-pixel CCDs.

With the objective of further strengthening its product line-up and thus enabling Tamron to precisely meet the varied needs of customers, Tamron developed a new series of high-resolution fixed focal lenses for industrial applications that can be used with 1/1.8" mega-pixel CCDs.

MAIN FEATURES COMMON TO ALL THREE MODELS

1. Compatibility with 1/1.8" and 1/2" mega-pixel CCD factory automation and machine vision cameras

2. Best possible performance from mega-pixel factory automation and machine vision cameras

(1) Thanks to Tamron’s use of the latest optical design technologies, these lenses offer uniformly high resolution and high contrast from the center of the image to the edges. Particularly noteworthy is the fact that the design has taken close range imagery into consideration, thereby avoiding performance drop-off at the commonly used extreme close range, to ensure high image quality.

(2) In addition to its goal of achieving higher image quality, Tamron has also succeeded in making these lenses more compact.

3. Shorter minimum focus distances
By reducing the minimum focus distance, these lenses offer a broader shooting range. With the new lenses, imaging for most applications can be achieved without attaching a close-up extension ring. This helps to boost system reliability and lower overall costs. The minimum focus distance for the 16mm lens has been reduced from 0.3 m* to 0.1 m. For the 25mm lens, it has been reduced from 0.25 m to 0.1 m, and for the 50mm lens, from 0.5 m to 0.2 m.
* Comparisons are based on lenses in the 20H series, 21H series and 17H series.

4. Enhanced ease of use

(1) Improved operation — it is now possible to select any one of three positions for both the focus and iris lock screws. This means that the user can choose locking positions for the greatest ease of operation

(2) Adoption of a common filter diameter — because all of lenses in this new series use filters of the same diameter, it is not necessary to stock filters of different diameters for each lens.

5. High-precision, top-quality construction provides optimum performance
In producing this series of high-precision industrial lenses, Tamron has improved the precision of each and every part and applied advanced production technologies. Tamron has strengthened the core structural components — the lens rim and lens mounting system — and has also improved vibration resistance. As a result, even when these lenses are used in a vibrating environment, elements do not loosen or shake, ensuring that their original optical performance is maintained.

6. Designs reflect environmental considerations, and lenses meet the European RoHS Directive (which restricts the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment)

KEY SPECIFICATIONS

* Lock screw can be located in any one of three positions

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6/07