A PROBLEM IS DISCUSSED ON PRODUCING THE BEST LIGHTING FOR MACHINE VISION APPLICATIONS AND WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT. THE FIRST STEP IS TO TRY TO STANDARDIZE THE TOOLS TO FIT AND WORK THE WAY THEY SHOULD EVERY TIME. AS WITH ANY TOOL, IT CAN BE USED IN MANY WAYS, BUT THERE GENERALLY IS A WAY IT WORKS BEST FOR MOST APPLICATIONS. IF THE TOOL NEEDS TO PRODUCE A DIFFERENT RESULT, THEN MAYBE A DIFFERENT ONE IS NEEDED. THE NEXT GOAL IS TO MAKE THE TOOL FASTER AND EASIER TO USE. THIS PAPER WILL PRESENT THE CONSIDERATIONS THAT WENT INTO THE DEVELOPMENT OF A GENERAL PURPOSE LIGHTING TESTBED WHICH MEETS THESE CRITERION. THE ALIS SYSTEM INCORPORATES THE MOST COMMONLY USED LIGHTING CONFIGURATIONS INTO A MODULAR UNIT THAT FACILITATES LIGHTING DEVELOPMENT FOR MACHINE VISION APPLICATIONS.