Abstract:
An elongated workpiece having unfinished side surfaces inclined laterally downwardly and outwardly from a finished top surface is scanned to produce signals denoting location of the longitudinal edges of the top surface at numerous points along them. An elongated scanning zone, extending across the workpiece, is translated all along the workpiece. In synchronism with scanning zone translation the workpiece is alternately illuminated from opposite sides at a low angle of incidence to the top surface to shadow first one side surface, than the other. Scanning lengthwise along the scanning zone is synchronized with translation of that zone and lighting alternation.