How do you verify the 'Seating' of a spiral retaining ring in an automated assembly line?

In automated systems, seating can be verified through either vision systems or mechanical probing. A vision system checks for the presence of the 'gap' or the overlap ends at the correct radial position. A mechanical probe can measure the axial position of the ring; if the ring is not seated, it will sit higher than the nominal groove location. For safety-critical automotive drivelines, a 'torque-to-turn' test of the retained component can also indicate if a ring is improperly seated, as the resulting misalignment would cause abnormal friction.