If the critical features of a workpiece can be projected in silhouette, and if the number of units to be inspected is relatively low, then a profile projector has potential as an ideal measurement application. With little or no programming required, profile projectors are quick to set up and provide almost instant results. Accordingly, many manufacturing processing schemes coordinate the use of both profile projectors and vision systems, using the former for low volumes and the latter for applications that run to higher numbers (thus justifying the programming time required by vision system automation)