Abstract: A coupling device for coupling a component to an article includes a first retaining member that retains the component, a second retaining member that retains the article, a movement system for moving the first retaining member and the second retaining member between a non-operating position where the component and the article are spaced apart from one another, and an operating position where the component and the article are in a coupling position, and a detection system for detecting the positioning of the component on the first retaining member. The detection system includes an image detector device for capturing at least one image of the component when the component is retained by the first retaining member, and a processing unit provided for analysing the image captured by the image detector device and verifying if the component is retained on the first retaining member in a predefined position.

Abstract: Described herein is a method for operating a vision system for controlling an operating process of a manufacturing machine operating on articles, wherein the vision system includes: at least one camera; at least one lighting device; and at least one image-processing unit; and wherein the method includes an automatic procedure for setting the vision system.

Abstract: A diagnostic method for analysing the operation of an automatic machine which processes products in the tobacco industry includes the following steps: introducing into the machine an endoscopic probe whose shape and size correspond to the shape and size of the products the machine is designed to process and which the machine processes as if it were a real product. During processing in the machine, the probe acquires data through a sensor of its own. The method also includes determining the positions adopted by the probe while it is being processed in the machine and associating them with the data acquired by the probe while it is being processed in the machine.

Abstract: A diagnostic method for analysing the operation of an automatic machine which processes products in the tobacco industry includes the following steps: introducing into the machine an endoscopic probe whose shape and size correspond to the shape and size of the products the machine is designed to process and which the machine processes as if it were a real product. During processing in the machine, the probe acquires data through a sensor of its own. The method also includes determining the positions adopted by the probe while it is being processed in the machine and associating them with the data acquired by the probe while it is being processed in the machine.

Abstract: A coupling device for coupling a component to an article includes a first retaining member that retains the component, a second retaining member that retains the article, a movement system for moving the first retaining member and the second retaining member between a non-operating position where the component and the article are spaced apart from one another, and an operating position where the component and the article are in a coupling position, and a detection system for detecting the positioning of the component on the first retaining member. The detection system includes an image detector device for capturing at least one image of the component when the component is retained by the first retaining member, and a processing unit provided for analysing the image captured by the image detector device and verifying if the component is retained on the first retaining member in a predefined position.

Abstract: An automatic machine for the production or the packaging of consumer products, in particular of the tobacco industry has at least one processing line provided with a plurality of operating members and feeds at least one material used to manufacture the consumer products. A control and/or identification method includes carrying out, inside a volume containing at least part of the automatic machine, a three-dimensional detection using at least one hyperspectral detection unit for detecting alterations of the electromagnetic field produced by all the objects inside the volume, the hyperspectral detection unit outputs raw data concerning the dimensions, position, shape, physical structure, and/or the chemical composition of all the objects present inside the volume. The raw data is filtered using an artificial intelligence algorithm to isolate and extract information concerning at least one single object inside the volume; and the information is used to carry out a control and/or identification operation.

Abstract: A diagnostic method for analysing the operation of at least part of a production line in the tobacco industry includes feeding through the line a probe having the shape of a smokers' article and provided with an electronic card configured to acquire one or more parameters; the method includes a step of activating the probe with the possibility of temporally synchronizing the data acquired by the probe with the data acquired by the line at the same time.

Abstract: A diagnostic method for analysing the operation of an automatic machine which processes products in the tobacco industry includes the following steps: introducing into the machine an endoscopic probe whose shape and size correspond to the shape and size of the products the machine is designed to process and which the machine processes as if it were a real product. During processing in the machine, the probe acquires data through a sensor of its own. The method also includes determining the positions adopted by the probe while it is being processed in the machine and associating them with the data acquired by the probe while it is being processed in the machine.

Abstract: A diagnostic method for analysing the operation of at least part of a production line in the tobacco industry includes feeding through the line a probe having the shape of a smokers' article and provided with an electronic card configured to acquire one or more parameters; the method includes a step of activating the probe with the possibility of temporally synchronizing the data acquired by the probe with the data acquired by the line at the same time.