An automatic inspection method and apparatus using structured light (3) and machine vision cameras (2) to inspect an object (4) in conjunction with the geometric model of the object (4) is disclosed. Camera images of the object (4) are analyzed by computer to produce the location of points on the object's surface in three dimensions. During a setup phase before object inspection, the points are analyzed with respect to the geometric model computer file of the object (4). Many points are eliminated to reduce data-taking and analysis time to a minimum and to prevent extraneous reflections from producing errors. When similar objects are subsequently inspected, points from each surface of interest are spatially averaged to give high accuracy measurements of object (4) dimensions. The inspection device uses several multiplexed sensors, each composed of a camera (2) and a structured light source (3), to measure all sides of the object (4) on a single pass. Calibration and compensation methods are also disclosed.
