1
                                                                      EXHIBIT 23


                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

         We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration
statements of Cognex Corporation on Form S-8 (File Nos. 33- 31657, 33-32815,
33-36263, 33-72636, 33-72638, 33-81150, and 33-81152) of our reports dated
January 26, 1996, except as to the information in the Subsequent Event note for
which the date is February 29, 1996, on our audits of the consolidated financial
statements and financial statement schedule of Cognex Corporation as of December
31, 1995 and 1994, and for each of the three years in the period ended December
31, 1995, which reports are incorporated by reference or included in this Annual
Report on Form 10-K.

                                               COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.

Boston, Massachusetts
March 26, 1996