AUTOMATED INSPECTION SYSTEM

An automated inspection system is described utilizing a plurality of laser beams which contact the bottom edge of the object being inspected to detect various flaws or defects which may exist in said bottom surface. Said laser beam patterns are further compared with the laser beam patterns obtained from another object of the same type and known to be without defects in order to determine both defect depth and type defect. Objects being inspected are moved passed a detection station utilizing a flat horizontal surface containing a pair of slots aligned generally perpendicular with respect to each other and with the laser beams projecting in opposite directions along the length of each slot and further aligned at a slight angle from said horizontal surface in order to contact the bottom edge of said moving object, and with photodetection means being positioned to intercept each of the projected laser beams after contact with the moving object.