A method is provided for measuring the wall thickness of transparent
articles using uniform diverging light in the form of a small point
source or elongated narrow line of light, measuring the spacial
separation of the reflections from the nearest and furthest surface by
means of a two-dimensional image sensor and a computational device to
calculate the geometrical corrections needed to provide accurate
thickness measurements. In situations where significant thickness
variations occur, a symmetrical two view embodiment using two uniform
diverging light sources and two image sensors at equal but opposite
angles of incidence from the same side of the object, provides a means to
correct for errors caused by internal prism effects as a result of
undulations of either the nearest or furthest surface. This system
provides accurate thickness measurements over a wide range of object
movement.