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                                                                      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, 33-36262,
33-36263, 33-72636, 33-72638, 33-81150, 33-81152, 333-2151, and 333-4621) of our
reports dated January 28, 1997 on our audits of the consolidated financial
statements and financial statement schedule of Cognex Corporation as of December
31, 1996 and 1995, and for each of the three years in the period ended December
31, 1996, which reports are incorporated by reference or included in this Annual
Report on Form 10-K.





                                                    /s/ COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.


Boston, Massachusetts
March 24, 1997