It is a trend of modern measurement technology to combine the contact and non-contact measurement techniques together to realize a more efficient and high-precision inspection of manufactured products. Based on an analysis of existing optical inspection technologies and the merits and shortcomings of coordinate measuring machine (CMM) technique, we propose a multi-sensor automatic inspection system, which combines the coordinate measuring machine with non-contact optical measuring apparatus and can select automatically either of the two methods for different (simple-geometry or complex free-form) measured objects so as to raise the accuracy and efficiency of measurement. The general planning and key components of the system are discussed.