Abstract: The supply of consumables and other materials to production machines in a system for the manufacture of tobacco products is managed using a method whereby, once a nominal target number of products has been programmed at a master control unit, a tally is kept of the number of products emerging from the machine located farthest downstream, and a corresponding signal relayed back to the master control unit, together with a signal indicating the consumption of the various types of material. On the basis of the information received, the master control unit will process an output message indicating the requirement for at least one given type of consumable or wrapping or other auxiliary material to be supplied, whereupon the message is sent to an operator entrusted with the task of replacing the depleted material.

Abstract: A method of optically controlling products consisting, for example, of blanks whereby a succession of blanks fed along a conveyor to a user machine is controlled by an analog sensor for scanning the surface of each blank along a given line, and developing a signal curve as a function of the different graphic characteristics detected along the line; a comparing device compares the signal curve with a reference curve, and emits an error signal in the event the blanks are not the right type and/or are not oriented and/or positioned correctly.