WESTFORD, MA, -- May 8, 2001 -- GenRad, Inc. [NYSE: GEN], a global leader in electronics testing and manufacturing solutions, today announced that Excelsior Manufacturing has purchased GenRadês next-generation 3D automated X-Ray inspection (AXI) system and expects to cut its inspection time by over 1500 percent while improving overall product quality and time-to-market.

Excelsior is a leading manufacturer of complex printed circuit boards for the telecom, networking and computer industries. The company will deploy its new GenRad GR-XStation 3DÈ technology at its San Jose, CA., manufacturing facility, where it currently is using multiple GenRad test technologies.

"The new GenRad automated X-Ray system will dramatically improve inspection time for our most complex 2500-component boards from 30 minutes each to about four minutes," stated Manny Lee, Excelsior president and CEO. "Also with the GenRad system we will be able to achieve a repeatable, high-quality test level for every board, an achievement that will provide us with a level of product consistency previously unattainable. Therefore, the automated x-ray system will help us ensure a high level of overall inspection excellence."

Deploys New GR Software

In addition to the GR-XStation test technology, Excelsior will further enhance its electronics production facility with deployment of GenRadês new GR Force/StrategistÈ software designed for the distributed test environment.

–GR Force/Strategist software will work well in our environment because it will allow us to quickly distribute the test programs to the most appropriate system, including our non-GenRad systems,” Lee stated. Excelsior currently has nine GenRad in-circuit testers including a GR Pilot flying prober in service at its manufacturing facility.

About the GR-XStation

GenRadês new, patented 2D and 3D AXI platforms establish a new standard for X-Ray-based imaging products by delivering unprecedented levels of flexibility, image resolution and test-time execution. The GR-XStation 3D is unique in that it combines the production proven Transmission (2D) AXI technique together with GenRadês patented Digital Tomosynthesis (3D) into a single chassis. GR-XStation 3D delivers the superior performance of transmission AXI in conjunction with the superior test access (on double-sided printed circuit assemblies) provided by cross-section AXI. The new 3D X-Ray systems offer a testing rate of up to 3.0 square inches per second. The system is available with two set fields of view, 0.8 inches or 0.5 inches, to meet specific inspection requirements.

Key features of the new X-Ray systems include:

• Industry-leading throughput
• Industry-leading image resolution
• Advanced X-Ray tube technology, and high-speed optics, providing higher quality imaging and lower maintenance costs
• LINUXÈ operating system with all 32-bit architecture
• GR ForceÈ/A3 (formerly GR Alchemist IIIÈ), GenRadês general purpose integrated software package with an all-new board viewer
• Easy to Use Graphical User Interface
• SMEMA compatible auto-width conveyor handling system
• Capable of inspecting boards up to 18 inches x 22 inches
• Minimal footprint of less than 5 feet x 10 feet (including staging conveyor systems)
• Worldwide support and training included.

GR Force/Strategist

GR Force/Strategist is a unique decision-making software tool that determines the optimal test and inspection strategy for electronics manufacturers. The software analyzes the design of each printed circuit assembly, models the production line configuration, and then determines the optimum strategy for the programming of the test and inspection equipment. Operating under MicrosoftÈ Windows, the software gives manufacturers the capability to develop multiple strategies that maximize fault coverage and inspection efficiencies, while improving time-to-market and time-to-volume.

Best practice test strategies are developed to ensure that fault coverage and throughput are optimized for the application. GR Force/Strategist is unique in the marketplace with its open architecture that allows the modeling and programming of GenRad and non-GenRad test and inspection equipment.

About GenRad

GenRad Inc. [NYSE: GEN] is a global leader of electronics manufacturing productivity solutions for contract and original equipment manufacturers [CMs and OEMs] of handheld and wireless devices, PCs and business servers, DSL and other broadband switching and routing technologies, and other devices integral to emerging Internet e-commerce markets. GenRad also applies its technologies to development of diagnostic solutions for the automotive and general transportation industry.

Founded in 1915, GenRad employs approximately 1,400 people and maintains its worldwide headquarters in Westford, MA, USA. The companyês Web address is http://www.genrad.com.