USB 3.0 Machine Vision Camera Cable Installation Guide: Routing, Bend Radius, Strain Relief, Connector Clearance and Cable Support

Installing a USB 3.0 machine vision camera cable correctly requires more than connecting the camera to an available USB port and securing the excess cable inside the machine. In an industrial vision system, the physical cable route becomes part of the camera subsystem. The way the cable leaves the camera, the amount of clearance provided behind the connector, where the first bend occurs, how the cable is supported, how strain is isolated from the connector, how the cable enters the control enclosure and how excess length is managed can all influence serviceability and long-term system consistency. An installation that works temporarily during commissioning can still become difficult to maintain or mechanically unstable if these factors are ignored when the machine moves into regular production.

The Kyptec Automation® USB 3.0 Machine Vision Cable category is intended for industrial camera connectivity where the cable needs to become a controlled part of the equipment. For compatible cameras using a locking Micro USB 3.0 interface, the Kyptec Automation® Machine Vision USB 3.0 A Male to Micro USB 3.0 Male With Screw Camera Cable provides a locking Micro USB connection at the camera and USB Type-A at the host. The published configuration uses straight connectors, highly flexible PVC construction and standard 2 m, 3 m and 5 m cable lengths, with an abrasion-resistant, UV-resistant and water-repellent outer sheath. These characteristics provide a practical industrial foundation, but successful installation still depends on how the OEM integrates the cable into the actual machine.

Plan the Complete Camera-to-Host Route Before Installing the Cable

The most reliable installation begins before the cable is connected. The engineer should identify the exact camera position, the direction in which the connector exits the camera, the host location and the complete physical path between them. This route should follow the real machine structure rather than the shortest imaginary line between the two devices. Industrial camera cables often need to travel around brackets, through cable supports, along machine frames and into control enclosures before reaching the processing computer.

A route survey should identify places where the cable could be compressed, exposed to sharp edges, pulled during service or forced into a sudden direction change. It should also identify potential conflicts with moving mechanisms, lighting assemblies, pneumatic components and power wiring. The purpose of this exercise is to make cable routing part of the mechanical design rather than leaving the installer to find whatever path remains after every other machine component has already been positioned.

Cable length should be selected only after this route has been understood. The 2 m, 3 m and 5 m standard Kyptec Automation® configurations allow OEMs to match different machine layouts without defaulting automatically to the longest cable. The correct installation needs enough length for a natural route and appropriate service access, but unnecessary surplus should not be left in large uncontrolled coils.

This route-first method also makes repeat production easier. When the prototype route is accepted, the assembly drawing or work instruction can show the intended path so later machines do not rely on individual technician preference.

Connector Clearance Must Include More Than the Camera Body

One of the most common mechanical integration mistakes is designing around the dimensions of the industrial camera without reserving enough room for the connected cable. A camera may fit perfectly into its bracket while the connector collides with an enclosure wall, lighting structure or machine frame as soon as the cable is installed.

The installation envelope should therefore include the camera body, Micro USB connector, locking screws, cable exit and enough free space for the cable to transition toward its route. The Kyptec Automation® Machine Vision Camera Connector Clearance Guide treats connector space and bend space as related but separate design requirements. That distinction is especially important with a straight USB camera connector because the cable cannot realistically change direction at the exact rear face of the camera.

For the Kyptec Automation® locking Micro USB configuration, the mechanical designer should also provide reasonable access to the retention screws. A cable that can technically be inserted but whose locking screws cannot be reached easily is not a well-serviced installation. Maintenance personnel may eventually need to remove the camera or replace the cable, so the installation should provide enough working space to release the connector without dismantling several unrelated machine components.

Host-side clearance deserves similar attention. The USB Type-A connector should not be trapped behind other cables or positioned where the cable must bend immediately against the industrial PC enclosure. Both endpoints should provide a natural transition into the cable route.

Bend Radius Should Be Controlled Rather Than Estimated Visually

High-speed USB camera cables should not be forced through abrupt turns merely because their outer jacket is flexible. A cable can appear mechanically capable of forming a tight bend while the internal conductors and high-speed differential pairs are being subjected to unnecessary deformation. The correct engineering approach is to maintain a smooth bend and follow the cable manufacturer’s specified minimum bend requirements wherever exact values are available.

Where a numerical bend radius is not published for a specific assembly, the OEM should avoid inventing one. Instead, the installation should use conservative geometry, maintain smooth transitions and avoid forming a bend immediately at the connector termination. The goal is to distribute the change in direction over a controlled section of cable rather than concentrating it at one point.

This is particularly important for USB 3.0 because the cable contains high-speed differential data paths whose geometry contributes to signal performance. Severe crushing, sharp folding or repeated local deformation can reduce electrical margin even if the outer jacket remains visually intact. The Kyptec Automation® USB 3.0 Machine Vision Camera Cable Construction Guide explains why the internal arrangement of conductors and differential pairs should be respected mechanically.

The first bend near the camera deserves the most attention because it is easy for the machine designer to consume all available rear clearance with the connector itself. A good installation allows the cable to leave the connector straight for a practical distance before beginning its controlled change of direction.

Strain Relief Should Protect the Connector From Cable Weight and Pull

A locking connector improves mechanical retention, but it should not be used as the primary support for the weight of the cable. If the cable hangs vertically from the camera or is pulled sideways by the machine route, the locked connector may remain attached while still experiencing continuous mechanical loading. Over time, that loading can stress the connector area and make servicing more difficult.

Strain relief means managing these forces before they reach the camera connection. A support point can be located at an appropriate distance from the camera so that the section between the connector and support remains relaxed. The cable can then continue along the main machine route without transferring its full weight or tension into the camera.

The support should not clamp the cable so aggressively that the outer jacket is crushed. The objective is to prevent uncontrolled movement and tension, not to deform the cable. The support method should therefore hold the cable securely while preserving its natural shape.

For cameras mounted vertically, overhead or beneath fixtures, strain relief becomes particularly important because gravity can act continuously on the cable. The same principle applies at the host side. The USB Type-A connector should not carry the weight of several metres of unsupported cable inside the control cabinet.

The Kyptec Automation® locking Micro USB connection is valuable because it provides positive retention to a compatible camera, but the best installation combines this retention with proper strain management rather than asking the connector to perform both functions alone.

Cable Supports Should Create a Predictable Route Through the Machine

Cable support is one of the most practical differences between a temporary laboratory connection and a professional industrial installation. On a test bench, the cable can lie loosely between camera and computer. Inside an OEM machine, the route should be predictable enough that every production unit can be assembled in essentially the same way.

Supports can guide the cable along machine frames, within dedicated wireways or through protected paths. Their spacing should be appropriate to the geometry and cable weight so that long unsupported spans do not sag into mechanisms or place tension on connectors. At the same time, supports should not be placed so densely or tightly that they create repeated local compression.

Changes in direction should be coordinated with support locations. A cable should not leave one clamp and immediately be forced around a sharp corner. Providing space for a gradual bend between supports creates a cleaner mechanical path.

The support strategy should also consider maintenance. If a camera is replaced, technicians should be able to release the required section of cable without removing an excessive number of unrelated restraints. Good support design balances mechanical control with service access.

For repeat-build machinery, major support locations should be reflected in mechanical drawings or assembly instructions. This prevents one machine from having a relaxed cable route while another uses the same Kyptec Automation® cable but places the first support much closer to the connector and creates a completely different mechanical condition.

Service Loops Should Be Deliberate, Not Uncontrolled Excess Cable

A service loop can be useful when the camera needs enough temporary movement for maintenance, focus adjustment or replacement. However, leaving an arbitrary coil of excess USB cable beside the camera is not the same as designing a service loop.

A controlled service loop should have a defined purpose. It may allow the camera to be removed from its bracket while remaining temporarily connected, or it may provide enough slack to access the locking screws comfortably. The loop should remain clear of moving mechanisms and should not collapse into a sharp fold.

Excess cable should not simply be bundled tightly into the smallest possible space. Tight coiling can create unnecessary mechanical stress, while large loose coils can interfere with other equipment and complicate troubleshooting. If substantial unused cable remains after installation, the better solution may be selecting a shorter standard length.

This is one reason the Kyptec Automation® 2 m, 3 m and 5 m options are useful for OEM integration. They allow machine builders to choose a cable length closer to the real installed requirement rather than purchasing one long assembly for every machine and storing the surplus inside the cabinet.

Camera-Side and Host-Side Routing Should Be Designed as Separate Zones

The environment around the camera is often very different from the environment around the industrial PC. The camera may be close to moving tooling, lights, actuators and production material, while the host may sit inside a protected cabinet surrounded by power supplies, controllers and other wiring. The installation should therefore treat these as separate routing zones joined by one continuous cable.

At the camera side, priorities include connector clearance, locking access, strain relief and avoiding interference with the inspection mechanism. Along the machine frame, priorities shift toward support, separation from hazards and controlled routing. At the control enclosure, the focus becomes cabinet entry, electrical separation, host access and cable management.

The Kyptec Automation® Camera-Side vs Host-Side Machine Vision Connections guide emphasizes that both endpoints must be specified independently. Installation should follow the same philosophy: the camera end and host end are not identical environments, so each requires its own mechanical planning.

The Kyptec Automation® USB configuration makes this distinction clear because locking Micro USB is used at the compatible camera while conventional USB Type-A is used at the host. The camera side prioritizes secure industrial retention, while the host side integrates with the processing computer.

Control-Cabinet Entry Needs Careful Planning

A USB 3.0 camera cable can be routed carefully across the machine and then lose much of that installation quality if it enters the control cabinet through a poorly selected opening. Cabinet entry is often where communication cables approach power wiring, drives, switching equipment and dense bundles of other conductors.

The cable should enter through a path that avoids unnecessary proximity to strong electrical-noise sources wherever practical. It should also be protected from sharp metal edges or enclosure openings that could damage the jacket during installation or service.

Once inside the cabinet, the cable should travel toward the industrial PC without forming large loops around unrelated equipment. The host connector should remain accessible and the route should provide enough slack for connection without leaving the cable hanging from the USB port.

Where several cameras connect to the same industrial PC, each USB cable should be identifiable and routed consistently. The cable labels should correspond with the camera-channel documentation and host-port mapping so technicians can trace one camera connection without disconnecting several others.

This becomes especially useful in multi-camera equipment where visually identical USB Type-A plugs terminate beside each other. Clear labeling converts the cabinet from a collection of cables into a documented camera architecture.

Routing Near Power Cables and Electrical Equipment Should Be Managed Carefully

Industrial machinery often contains motor cables, high-current conductors, switching devices and power electronics capable of producing electrical noise. USB 3.0 is a high-speed communication interface, so the machine designer should avoid routing the camera cable unnecessarily alongside electrically noisy conductors over long distances.

Where communication and power routes need to cross, the geometry should be designed deliberately rather than allowing cables to remain bundled together simply because they share the same physical destination. The exact machine grounding, switching environment and enclosure architecture determine how much separation is practical, so there is no universal spacing rule that should be invented for every installation.

The important principle is to provide sensible physical separation where possible and to avoid creating avoidable parallel exposure to strong noise sources. The Kyptec Automation® Machine Vision Cable Signal Integrity Guide examines the electrical side in greater depth. The installation guide focuses on the practical route: a high-speed camera cable should be placed intentionally rather than treated as interchangeable with ordinary machine wiring.

A route that becomes unstable only when a nearby motor or switching device operates should be investigated as a complete installation problem. Cable routing, host grounding, connector stability and system-level electrical design all need to be considered before replacing components randomly.

Fixed and Moving Sections Should Be Clearly Separated

Even installations that contain motion usually have large portions of cable that should remain stationary. The OEM should identify which section genuinely needs to move and prevent the rest of the cable from participating unnecessarily in that movement.

A camera mounted on a moving axis may require a flexible loop near the mechanism, while the remaining route from that mechanism to the control cabinet can be supported as a fixed installation. A clear transition between moving and fixed sections keeps repeated flexing away from the camera connector and prevents movement from propagating through several metres of cable.

The Kyptec Automation® USB 3.0 Machine Vision Camera Cable for Fixed Installation vs Continuous Motion guide addresses the moving-path engineering in depth. During installation, the key requirement is to reproduce that validated transition consistently. The moving section should remain free enough to follow its designed path, while the fixed section should be supported so that it does not drift into the movement zone.

This distinction is especially important for serial OEM machines. If production technicians change the support point or increase the moving section, they may create a different cable duty from the prototype even though the same cable model is used.

Do Not Crush, Staple or Overtighten a High-Speed Camera Cable

Cable retention hardware should secure the cable without changing its cross-sectional shape significantly. Overtightened clamps, sharp cable ties or improvised fastening methods can compress the jacket and potentially disturb the internal construction.

USB 3.0 contains controlled high-speed differential pairs, power conductors, ground paths and shielding structures. These elements are designed to operate within the cable’s intended geometry. A support system should therefore hold the assembly rather than reshape it.

This does not mean that every visible indentation causes a communication failure. The engineering principle is simply that high-speed data cables deserve more care than low-frequency hookup wire. Installation methods should preserve the cable rather than rely on excessive mechanical force.

The same rule applies where the cable passes through apertures. The opening should be large and smooth enough that the cable is not pinched when the panel is closed or when nearby components are installed.

For the highly flexible Kyptec Automation® PVC cable, preserving the natural round cable form helps maintain both mechanical flexibility and the electrical architecture described in the USB 3.0 construction guide.

The Correct Cable Length Should Reduce Installation Compromises

Cable length is sometimes treated as a purchasing issue, but it has direct consequences for installation quality. A cable that is slightly too short can force a direct route that bypasses planned supports or pulls against the camera connector. A cable that is significantly too long can create large service loops and crowded cabinet routing.

The preferred approach is to measure the actual route after the camera position, host location and major supports have been determined. Add only the length needed for natural transitions and necessary service access rather than arbitrary spare metres.

The Kyptec Automation® model is available in 2 m, 3 m and 5 m standard lengths, with other lengths available on request. A compact vision station can therefore use an appropriately short configuration, while larger equipment can select a longer route without treating every machine identically.

Once a length has been validated, it should become part of the BOM. Production should not substitute 5 m automatically for an approved 2 m cable simply because the longer cable is available. The machine should reproduce the route that engineering intentionally designed.

Labeling and Documentation Complete the Physical Installation

A professionally installed USB camera cable should be identifiable at both ends. The label can reference the camera function, machine station or other controlled identifier so technicians can trace the connection without unplugging multiple cables.

In a simple one-camera station, labeling may appear unnecessary, but it becomes valuable during future maintenance. In a multi-camera system, it is essential because several identical USB Type-A connectors may terminate at the same industrial PC.

The host-side label should correspond with the software and electrical documentation where practical. If a camera is identified as CAMERA-TOP in the machine software, using the same functional identity on the cable can simplify troubleshooting.

OEM documentation should also identify the approved Kyptec Automation® cable and length. Where routing is mechanically important, drawings can indicate the major support path, first strain-relief point and cabinet entry. The goal is not to document every centimetre of cable, but to ensure that future machines reproduce the critical mechanical conditions.

This converts the cable installation from an assembly habit into a controlled engineering process.

Installation Acceptance Should Be Completed Before Production Release

Physical installation should be inspected before the USB camera subsystem is considered complete. The engineer or commissioning technician should verify that the connector is fully seated and locked at the compatible camera, that the first bend is not forced against the connector, that the cable is supported appropriately, that no section is pinched, and that excess length is managed cleanly.

The cable route should be observed while all relevant machine mechanisms operate. Even a nominally fixed cable can move unexpectedly if nearby covers, slides or service panels interact with it. The route should remain clear throughout the complete machine cycle.

The camera should then acquire images using the final installed cable, released host port and intended production settings. Mechanical acceptance and functional acquisition should be treated together because a neat-looking installation is not sufficient if the camera connection becomes unstable under production load.

Kyptec Automation® addresses sustained operational qualification separately in its machine-vision cable testing content. Installation acceptance should precede those deeper endurance tests by confirming that the physical route itself is correct and repeatable.

Why Kyptec Automation® Is Well Suited to Controlled OEM USB Installation

Kyptec Automation® develops machine-vision connectivity around industrial integration requirements rather than treating camera cables as generic computer accessories. For compatible Micro USB 3.0 cameras, the Kyptec Automation® Machine Vision USB 3.0 A Male to Micro USB 3.0 Male With Screw Camera Cable provides a defined camera-side locking connection, conventional USB Type-A host connection, highly flexible PVC cable and practical standard lengths for different machine layouts.

Its straight connector architecture allows OEMs to design the cable path deliberately, while the locking screws provide secure camera-side retention when the compatible camera supports that arrangement. The published abrasion-resistant, UV-resistant and water-repellent outer sheath also gives machine builders useful information when assessing the cable against the industrial route.

The strongest advantage appears when these product characteristics are combined with good installation engineering. A high-quality industrial cable still needs adequate connector space, a controlled first bend, strain relief, cable supports, appropriate length and a documented path. When those elements are designed together, the Kyptec Automation® cable can become a stable, repeatable part of the camera subsystem from prototype through serial OEM production.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How should a USB 3.0 machine vision camera cable be routed inside an industrial machine?

The cable should follow a deliberate path from camera to host that avoids sharp edges, pinch points, unnecessary mechanical tension and avoidable proximity to electrically noisy equipment. It should receive suitable support along the machine frame and should enter the control enclosure through a protected route. The camera-side section should remain relaxed so cable weight and route tension are not transferred directly into the connector. The strongest installation uses the shortest practical approved Kyptec Automation® cable length that comfortably follows this complete route.

2. How close to the camera can the first cable bend begin?

The cable should not be forced into an immediate sharp turn directly at the connector termination. Enough clearance should be provided for the connector body and a natural straight transition before the cable changes direction. The precise geometry depends on the selected cable and machine arrangement. Where a numeric minimum bend radius is not published, OEMs should avoid inventing a value and instead use a conservative, gradual bend that does not deform the cable.

3. Why is bend radius important for a USB 3.0 camera cable?

USB 3.0 contains controlled high-speed differential signal pairs as well as power and ground conductors. Severe local bending can mechanically stress the cable and potentially disturb the internal conductor geometry that supports high-speed communication. Maintaining a gradual bend therefore protects both mechanical durability and electrical margin. Bend control is particularly important near connectors, where repeated stress can concentrate in a short section.

4. Does a highly flexible cable allow a tighter bend radius?

High flexibility makes the cable easier to route, but it should not be interpreted as permission to fold the cable sharply. The Kyptec Automation® model uses highly flexible PVC construction, which is useful in compact industrial equipment and moving systems, but the installation should still maintain smooth geometry. Flexibility is an engineering advantage when used correctly, not a replacement for bend discipline.

5. What is strain relief on a machine vision camera cable?

Strain relief is the method used to prevent cable weight, pull or movement from being transferred directly into the camera or host connector. This can involve a suitable support point near the camera that allows the short connector section to remain relaxed while the main cable route is secured separately. Strain relief complements the locking Micro USB connector used by Kyptec Automation® rather than replacing its retention function.

6. Are locking screws enough to support the USB camera cable?

No. Locking screws secure the connector to a compatible camera but should not carry the continuous weight or movement of the complete cable. The cable should still be supported appropriately. A good installation uses locking for connector retention and strain relief for cable-force management so each mechanical feature performs the task for which it is intended.

7. How much clearance should be left behind an industrial camera for the USB cable?

The required space should include the connector body, locking hardware where applicable, service access and enough distance for a natural cable exit before the first controlled bend. There is no universal dimension that suits every camera and bracket. OEM designers should model the actual selected Kyptec Automation® cable connected to the camera rather than designing around the camera housing alone.

8. Should excess USB camera cable be tightly coiled inside the cabinet?

Large quantities of excess cable should preferably be avoided through correct length selection. Where limited surplus is necessary, it should be managed through a broad, controlled service loop rather than a tight coil or compressed bundle. Kyptec Automation® offers 2 m, 3 m and 5 m standard lengths, allowing OEMs to select a configuration closer to the real installed route.

9. Can a USB 3.0 machine vision camera cable be routed beside motor or power cables?

Long parallel routing directly alongside electrically noisy power conductors should generally be avoided where practical. Industrial machines can contain switching devices, motors and high-current circuits that create electromagnetic interference. The exact separation strategy depends on the machine, but communication cables should be routed deliberately and should not be bundled automatically with power wiring merely because both paths are convenient.

10. How should a USB camera cable enter the control cabinet?

The cabinet entry should protect the cable from sharp metal edges, excessive compression and unnecessary proximity to high-noise power equipment. Once inside, the cable should follow a controlled route toward the industrial PC and remain supported so the USB Type-A connector does not carry the cable weight. The route should also leave enough access for service without requiring unrelated equipment to be removed.

11. Where should the first strain-relief point be placed?

The first support should be located where it can isolate cable weight and route tension from the camera connector without forcing an immediate tight bend. The exact distance depends on the camera geometry, cable flexibility and machine structure. OEMs should determine it from the actual installation rather than applying an arbitrary universal dimension, and the approved location should be reproduced across repeat machines.

12. Should fixed USB camera cables still be supported if they never move?

Yes. Fixed cables can still sag, pull on connectors, contact machine edges or become displaced during maintenance. Proper supports create a predictable route, reduce connector loading and keep the cable clear of mechanisms. Fixed installation therefore still requires mechanical design even though continuous flexing is absent.

13. How should a service loop be designed for an industrial camera?

A service loop should provide only the additional controlled length required for maintenance or camera access. It should form a broad natural curve and remain clear of moving equipment. The purpose is to make servicing easier without creating a large uncontrolled cable loop. Where substantial surplus exists, selecting a shorter approved cable is usually cleaner than creating an oversized service loop.

14. Can cable ties damage a USB 3.0 machine vision cable?

Cable ties and clamps can create unnecessary compression when overtightened. The support method should hold the cable securely without significantly deforming the jacket. Because USB 3.0 contains controlled high-speed conductor geometry, installation hardware should retain rather than crush the assembly. Reusable or purpose-designed supports can also simplify later maintenance.

15. Why should camera cables be labeled at both ends?

Labeling allows technicians to identify which physical cable belongs to which camera and host port without disconnecting several devices. This becomes especially important in multi-camera machines containing multiple identical USB Type-A connections. Using consistent channel names across camera labels, cable labels, host-port maps and software documentation makes troubleshooting and service substantially more efficient.

16. Should the cable route be tested while the machine is operating?

Yes. Final installation inspection should include operation of all mechanisms that could influence the cable. A cable that appears clear when the machine is stationary can contact a moving slide, door, actuator or service cover during production. The camera should also acquire images through the final installed cable while the machine operates so mechanical routing and functional connectivity are verified together.

17. Why should the same installation route be reproduced across repeat OEM machines?

Changing the route can change connector loading, bend geometry, cable support and exposure to machine movement or electrical noise even when the same cable model is used. Once engineering has validated a route, reproducing its important mechanical features helps preserve the conditions under which the camera connection was approved. Drawings and assembly instructions should therefore identify significant support and routing points.

18. Which Kyptec Automation® product is suitable for compatible locking Micro USB 3.0 machine vision installations?

For a compatible industrial camera using locking Micro USB 3.0 at the camera and USB Type-A at the host, the Kyptec Automation® Machine Vision USB 3.0 A Male to Micro USB 3.0 Male With Screw Camera Cable is the relevant model within the Kyptec Automation® USB 3.0 Machine Vision Cable category. Its locking camera-side connector, straight connector geometry, highly flexible PVC construction and 2 m, 3 m and 5 m standard lengths make it suitable for OEMs that want to engineer a controlled industrial camera-to-host installation rather than rely on an unspecified general-purpose USB cable.

Conclusion

Installing a USB 3.0 machine vision camera cable correctly requires the complete physical connection to be treated as part of the machine design. The cable route should be planned before installation, camera and host connectors should have adequate clearance, the first bend should be gradual, strain relief should prevent cable forces from reaching the connector, support points should create a predictable path, cabinet entry should be protected and electrically sensible, and any service loop should be intentional rather than simply leftover cable. These practices improve mechanical repeatability, simplify maintenance and allow the released machine to reproduce the same physical camera connection across future builds.

The Kyptec Automation® USB 3.0 Machine Vision Cable category gives OEM machine builders a dedicated industrial connectivity platform for compatible USB cameras. The Kyptec Automation® Machine Vision USB 3.0 A Male to Micro USB 3.0 Male With Screw Camera Cable combines locking Micro USB connectivity at the camera with USB Type-A at the host, highly flexible PVC construction, industrially oriented outer-sheath characteristics and practical 2 m, 3 m and 5 m standard lengths that can be matched to different machine layouts.

The strongest installation does not depend on any one cable feature. Locking screws, flexibility, jacket construction and cable length all become more useful when the machine provides the correct mechanical environment around them. When connector clearance, bend control, strain relief, cable support, routing separation, labeling and installation acceptance are engineered together, Kyptec Automation® USB 3.0 machine vision connectivity becomes a controlled part of the inspection system rather than an afterthought added during final machine wiring.