An in-flight 3D inspector includes a sample input funnel, a sample chute, a trigger, a plurality of cameras, a light source and storage device. A sample is placed in the sample input funnel and is caused to travel down the sample chute. The trigger is located on the sample chute and detects when the sample passes the trigger. In response to detecting the passing of the sample, the trigger outputs a trigger signal that indicates when the sample will pass through a focal plane on which all the plurality of cameras are focused. In response to the trigger signal, the sample is illuminated by the light source and the plurality of cameras capture an image of the sample as the sample passes through the focal plane. The captured images are stored on the storage device and used to generate a 3D image of the sample.