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Employee Savings Plan | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2016
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract] |
Employee Savings Plan | Employee Savings Plan Under the Company’s Employee Savings Plan, a defined contribution plan, U.S. employees who have attained age 21 may contribute up to 25% of their pay on a pre-tax basis subject to the annual dollar limitations established by the Internal Revenue Service. The Company currently matches 50% of the first 6% of pay an employee contributes. Company contributions vest 20%, 40%, 60%, and 100% after two, three, four, and five years of continuous employment with the Company, respectively. Company contributions totaled $1,712,000 in 2016, $1,845,000 in 2015, and $1,555,000 in 2014. Cognex stock is not an investment alternative and Company contributions are not made in the form of Cognex stock.

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