When automated inspection became a viable process, engineers concentrated on the camera and optics, the algorithms, the interface hardware and the processor. Only rarely did they pay attention to the lighting system or lighting approach. As automated inspection became more robust and versatile, and engineers became more familiar with its operating characteristics, they began to realize the importance of lighting. Today, the significance of lighting is well-known, and many innovative approaches have helped to solidify machine vision's value as an inspection process...