This paper describes an automatic measurement method for the in-line inspection of assembly tolerances of cathod ray electron guns. The method uses an optical microscope with a CCD camera as a probe. An automatic gap recognition algorthm with digital image processing and a new software autofocus algorithm based on using an optimal edge detector have been developed to improve the measuring accuracy. An inspection system has been proposed and practically implemented for in-line inspection to a real factory automation line. The inspection system consists of a gap inspection part and an eyelet. Total time consumed for inspecting all measuring items is about 10 seconds and the repeatability is below .+-. 5 .mu. m