The invention is a novel automated apparatus for optically inspecting both sides of manufactured components for manufacturing defects. The invention can be used to inspect either ferrous or non-ferrous components. The apparatus comprises a first and a second rotable disc and either a first and a second nonrotable magnet or a first and second nonrotable vacuum plenum. The first rotable disc rotates in a first direction and the second rotable disc rotates in a second direction. Components are either magnetically held to each disc or held by vacuum. At a transfer station, a bottom surface of the second rotable disc partially overlaps a top surface of the first rotable disc, and components are transferred from the first rotable disc to the second rotable disc.