General Scanning in Talks to Buy View Engineering

General Scanning Inc. said it is in talks to acquire View Engineering in Simi Valley for stock valued at $23.6 million.

View Engineering makes laser systems used in semiconductors, package inspection and vision systems. The Watertown, Mass.-based General Scanning makes laser systems for use in the semiconductor, electronics, aircraft and medical industries.

General Scanning said the companies are considering a buyout for 1.6 million General Scanning shares.

The acquisition isn’t expected to dilute analysts’ estimates of General Scanning’s 1996 earnings, the companies said. They didn’t cite figures.

The acquisition is subject to the approval of the boards of both companies, shareholders of View Engineering and to regulatory approvals, they said.