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

Verification of ring seating in automated systems is often performed using laser displacement sensors or vision systems that measure the ring's 'protrusion' height from the shaft or bore. Since a spiral ring has no ears or lugs (unlike stamped rings), its profile is uniform. A correctly seated ring will have a consistent diameter. Another method involves a 'push-off' test where a calibrated axial force is applied to ensure the ring is locked in the groove. In high-volume automotive production, electronic sensors on the installation tool monitor the torque/force curve to detect if the ring 'snapped' into the groove correctly.