Method system for generating 3D composite images of objects and determining object properties based thereon

A system for 3D inspection of objects, each object comprising a main body having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a plurality of sidewalls vertically extending between the top surface and the bottom surface of the object in a z-axis direction, the apparatus comprising:

• a set of 3D object imaging or scanning stations configured for imaging or scanning each of the object bottom surface and the object top surface and generating a 3D object bottom surface dataset and a 3D object top surface dataset, respectively, by way of:
• (i) capturing a 3D profile image of the object bottom surface and generating a corresponding bottom surface 3D profile image dataset while (a) the object top surface freely rests upon a first object seating surface and the object is not subjected to external compressive forces other than the force of gravity, or (b) the object top surface is held by a first suction tip by way of suction force and forcible compression of the top surface of the object against a first reference structure distinct from a first suction tip is avoided;
• and
• (ii) capturing a 3D profile image of the object top surface and generating a corresponding top surface 3D profile image dataset while (c) the object bottom surface freely rests upon the first or a second object seating surface and the object is not subjected to external compressive forces other than the force of gravity, or (d) the object bottom surface is held by the first or a second suction tip by way of suction force and forcible compression of the bottom surface of the object against each of the first reference structure and a second reference structure distinct from the second suction tip is avoided;
• an object sidewall scanning station configured for imaging or scanning a plurality of object sidewalls;
• at least one processing unit;
• and
• a memory storing a set of program instructions configured for generating a 3D composite image dataset corresponding to a 3D digital reconstruction or estimation of the object based upon or using the bottom surface 3D profile image dataset, the top surface 3D profile image dataset, and the sidewall image dataset.