Abstract: The inspection of a cylindrical article is accomplished by scanning the surface of the article in a plane transverse to its longitudinal axis with a light beam sequentially reflected from mirrors spaced about the periphery of the article. Light that is reflected or scattered from the article's surface is detected by sensors which are symmetrically positioned on either side of the scanning plane. Intensity variations and time variations of the sensor signals thus produced are processed to extract information concerning the article's surface uniformity, cross sectional shape, longitudinal shape and length as the article is moved along its longitudinal axis through the inspection plane.An apparatus is also described for effecting such a method. The apparatus uses a rotating polygonal mirror scanner, a plurality of fixed mirrors positioned in the scanning plane peripherally around the article to be inspected and annular sensors positioned fore and aft of the scanning plane through which the articles pass.