CN220288753U - Inspection station for inspecting bead-apex strips and assembly comprising said inspection station - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model relates to an inspection station for inspecting a bead-apex, wherein the inspection station comprises a weighing device and a camera device, wherein the weighing device comprises one or more support members extending in a support plane for statically supporting the bead-apex, wherein the camera device comprises a first camera spaced apart from the support plane at a first side of the support plane for visually inspecting the bead-apex, wherein the camera device further comprises a camera frame for supporting the first camera relative to the weighing device, wherein the camera frame is movable relative to the weighing device for moving the first camera relative to the weighing device along a camera path parallel to the support plane, wherein the camera path extends at least partially above the weighing device.

Description

Inspection station for inspecting bead-apex strips and assembly comprising said inspection station

Technical Field

The present utility model relates to an inspection station for inspecting annular objects, in particular bead-apex strips, and to an assembly comprising said inspection station.

Background

The known inspection station for inspecting the bead-apex comprises weighing means for weighing the bead-apex. The bead-apex may be accepted or rejected based on the weight of the bead-apex measured by the weighing device. Furthermore, the operator can visually inspect the bead-apex for irregularities and/or defects.

Disclosure of Invention

A disadvantage of the known inspection station is that the visual inspection is time consuming and depends on the skill of the operator.

The object of the present utility model is to provide an inspection station and an assembly comprising said inspection station, which enables reliable visual inspection of bead-apex strips and/or enables a reduction in processing time.

According to a first aspect, the present utility model provides an inspection station for inspecting a bead-apex strip, wherein the inspection station comprises weighing means for measuring the weight of the bead-apex strip and camera means for visual inspection of the bead-apex strip. Wherein the weighing device comprises a base and one or more support members extending in a support plane for statically supporting the bead-apex strip with respect to the base, wherein the camera device comprises a first camera spaced apart from the support plane at a first side of said support plane for visually inspecting the bead-apex strip at the first side of the support plane, wherein the camera device further comprises a camera frame having a holder for supporting the first camera with respect to the weighing device, wherein the camera frame is movable with respect to the weighing device for moving the first camera with respect to the weighing device along a camera path parallel to the support plane, wherein the camera path extends at least partially over the weighing device.

The camera device may perform a visual inspection of the bead-apex strip when the weight of the object is measured by the weighing device. In particular, the bead-apex can be checked automatically. Thus, a separate visual inspection may be omitted. Therefore, the bead-apex can be inspected more effectively. Therefore, the overall processing efficiency can be improved.

Furthermore, by moving the first camera relative to the weighing device, the first camera can be moved over/over the bead-apex strip. Thus, the first camera need not create one image of the entire bead-apex at a time, but rather can create a series of images of the various portions of the bead-apex. The images in the series of images may have a higher imager resolution. Thus, the quality and/or accuracy of the visual inspection may be improved.

Another advantage of moving the camera frame relative to the weighing device is that the bead-apex can remain stationary on the weighing device while measuring the weight and/or performing a visual inspection. By keeping the bead-apex stationary, the accuracy of weight measurement and/or the quality of visual inspection can be further improved.

In an embodiment thereof, the camera device further comprises a second camera at a second side of the support plane opposite to the first side of the support plane for visually inspecting the bead-apex strip at said second side of the support plane, wherein the second camera is movable along the camera path. Preferably, the first camera and the second camera are jointly supported on the holder. The first camera and the second camera may each inspect a respective side of the bead-apex. In other words, the entire bead-apex can be visually inspected by the camera device. Therefore, the bead-apex can be visually inspected more reliably. Furthermore, a separate step of visually inspecting the other side of the bead-apex may be omitted. Therefore, the processing efficiency can be further improved.

In another embodiment, the camera path comprises an arc of a circle. Preferably, the camera frame is rotatable relative to the weighing device about a central axis extending perpendicular to the support plane to pivot the first camera relative to the weighing device about the central axis. By pivoting the first camera relative to the weighing device, the first camera can be moved in its circumferential direction along the bead-apex strip. Thus, the first camera can follow the contour of the bead-apex more accurately. Thus, the quality and/or accuracy of the visual inspection may be further improved.

In another embodiment thereof, the camera frame is pivotable about the central axis through a rotation angle of less than 90 degrees, preferably less than 60 degrees, more preferably less than 30 degrees. In particular, the rotation angle of the camera frame may be centered around the splice of the apex. Therefore, the splice of the apex can be reliably inspected without visually inspecting the entire periphery of the bead-apex. By rotating the camera frame beyond the above-described rotation angle, the time required for visual inspection of the bead-apex can be further reduced. Therefore, the processing efficiency can be improved.

In another embodiment, the support member is arranged to center the bead-apex with respect to the central axis. In particular, the one or more support members taper towards the central axis. Thus, the bead-apex can be automatically centered about the central axis. Thus, the camera frame can be rotated more precisely along the periphery of the bead-apex.

In another embodiment, the holder is movable relative to the central axis in a radial direction perpendicular to said central axis. Preferably, the camera frame further comprises a pivot arm for supporting a holder, wherein the pivot arm extends in a radial direction and is rotatable about a central axis perpendicular to the support plane, wherein the holder is movable in the radial direction relative to the pivot arm. Thus, the radial position of the first camera and/or the second camera may be adapted to the diameter of the bead-apex.

In another embodiment, the weighing device and the camera device are independently supported. Accordingly, the transmission of vibrations caused by the rotation of the camera frame to the weighing device can be reduced or eventually prevented. Thus, the accuracy of the weight measurement on the weighing device can be improved.

In another embodiment, wherein the base of the weighing device comprises an aperture for receiving the camera device, wherein the aperture extends up to the central axis in a direction perpendicular to said central axis. In other words, the camera device, in particular the pivot arm thereof, may extend to the central axis. Thus, the camera device may be rotatably supported at the central axis.

In another embodiment, the camera device comprises a first camera driver for driving movement of the camera frame along the camera path. The first camera driver may drive the camera frame, in particular its pivot arm, to rotate about the central axis.

In another embodiment, the camera device comprises a second camera driver for driving the movement of the holder in the radial direction. Thus, the radial position of the holder relative to the pivot arm can be automatically and/or remotely adjusted.

In another embodiment, the first camera is a line camera (line camera). Preferably, the first camera comprises a laser system for projecting a laser line onto the bead-apex. The laser line extends in a radial direction or substantially in a radial direction. The first camera and the laser are arranged at a mutual angle with respect to the support plane. Thus, the profile of the bead-apex can be recreated using the method of apexes.

In another embodiment, the weighing device comprises one or more load cells arranged between the one or more support members and the base for measuring the weight of the bead-apex. The load cell may be electronically and/or functionally coupled to a control unit and/or computer for measuring the weight of the bead-apex.

According to a second aspect, the present utility model provides an assembly for producing a bead-apex, wherein the assembly comprises an inspection station according to the first aspect of the utility model.

The assembly comprises an inspection station according to the first aspect of the utility model and therefore has the same advantages as described above.

In an embodiment thereof, the assembly further comprises a bead-apex supply station for providing the bead-apex and one or more outfeed stations for releasing the bead-apex, wherein the inspection station is arranged between the bead-apex production station and the one or more outfeed stations. Thus, the bead-apex can be conveniently transferred from the supply station to the inspection station before transferring the bead-apex to one of the one or more outfeed stations. In other words, the inspection station is integrated in the bead-apex production line. Thus, each bead-apex can be inspected prior to releasing the bead-apex to the corresponding outfeed station. The bead-apex supply station may for example be a bead-apex assembly unit arranged to apply apexes around the beads. Alternatively, the bead-apex supply station may, for example, comprise a store of preassembled bead-apexes. One or more outfeed stations may, for example, comprise a temporary store of bead-apex strips. The one or more outfeed stations may further comprise a weight rejection station for receiving a bead-apex strip rejected based on the weight measured at the inspection station and/or a splice rejection station for receiving a bead-apex strip rejected based on visual inspection of the splice.

In another embodiment thereof, the assembly further comprises one or more transfer units for transferring the bead-apex from the supply station to the inspection station, or for transferring the bead-apex from the inspection station to at least one of the one or more output stations. Preferably, the one or more transfer units are robotic arms. The transfer unit may automatically transfer the bead-apex between the supply station and the inspection station and/or between the inspection station and at least one of the one or more outfeed stations. Alternatively, a single transfer unit may be used to transfer the bead-apex between the supply station and the inspection station and between the inspection station and at least one of the one or more outfeed stations.

The various aspects and features described and illustrated in this specification can be applied separately wherever possible. These individual aspects may be the subject of the divisional patent application.

Drawings

The utility model will be described based on exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of an inspection station according to the present utility model;

FIG. 2 shows a front view of the inspection station according to FIG. 1;

3-5 illustrate top views of the inspection of FIG. 1 in various modes of operation; and

fig. 6 shows a plan view of a bead-apex production line comprising an inspection station of the present utility model.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1-5 show an inspection station 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the utility model for inspecting a ring-shaped object such as a bead 91, a apex 92 or a bead-apex 9. The bead-apex 9 includes an annular, circular or substantially circular bead core or bead 91 and an apex 92 that tapers radially outwardly relative to the bead core or bead 92. In producing the bead-apex 9, the apex 92 is circumferentially wrapped around the bead 91 and spliced together at the splice S. The splice S may extend in a radial direction or substantially in a radial direction of the bead-apex 9. The bead-apex 9 has an inner diameter D1.

The inspection station 1 comprises weighing means 3 for measuring the weight of the bead-apex strip 9 and camera means 2 for visually inspecting the bead-apex strip 9. More specifically, the camera device 2 is arranged to visually check the quality of the splice S of the apex 92.

The weighing device 3 comprises a base 30 and one or more support members 31 for receiving and supporting the bead-apex 9 with respect to the base 30. The support member 31 is arranged to statically receive the bead-apex 9. In this particular embodiment, the weighing device 3 comprises four support members 31. The support member 31 extends in a support plane P. Preferably, the support plane P is horizontal or substantially horizontal. In this particular embodiment, the support member 31 extends in a radial direction R with respect to a central axis a extending perpendicular to the support plane P. The support member 31 is arranged to receive the bead-apex 9 concentrically with respect to the central axis a. In other words, the support member 31 is arranged to center the bead-apex 9 with respect to the central axis a.

Alternatively, the weighing device 3 may be provided with an extension groove 38 extending in the radial direction R for receiving the support member 31. As shown in fig. 3 and 5, the support member 31 can be moved in the radial direction R within said groove 38 to adapt to the diameter of the bead-apex 9. Preferably, the support member 31 is movable in the radial direction R to accommodate the inner diameter D1 of the bead-apex 9.

The weighing device 3 further comprises one or more load cells 35 for measuring the weight of the bead-apex strip 9 supported on the support member 31. One or more load cells 35 are disposed between the base 30 and the support member 31.

The inspection station 1 may further comprise a control unit 5 operatively and/or electronically connected to the load cell 35. The control unit 5 is arranged to check one or more characteristics of the bead-apex strip 9 based on the output signal or output value of the load cell 35. Specifically, the control unit 5 is arranged to check for defects in the weight and/or weight distribution of the bead-apex strip 9 based on the output signal of the load cell 35. Preferably, the control unit 5 is arranged to determine the weight of the bead-apex strip 9 based on the output signal of the load cell 35. In an alternative embodiment, the load cell 35 may be connected to an external control unit or computer for determining the weight of the bead-apex strip 9.

The camera device 2 comprises a first camera device 21 and a second camera device 22 for visual inspection of the bead-apex strip 9. The first camera 21 is arranged on a first side of the support plane P. Specifically, the first camera 21 is arranged above the support plane P. The second camera 22 is arranged on a second side of the support plane P opposite to the first side of the support plane P. In particular, the second camera 22 is arranged below the support plane P. Typically, the first camera 21 and the second camera 22 are arranged on opposite sides of the support plane P.

The first camera 21 and the second camera 22 are electronically and/or functionally connected to the control unit 5. Preferably, the control unit 5 is arranged to check the bead-apex 9 for defects or irregularities based on the images produced by said first camera 21 and said second camera 22.

Alternatively, as shown in fig. 1 and 2, the first camera 21 and the second camera 22 are line cameras. For example, the first camera 21 and the second camera 22 may each include a laser system for projecting a laser line L onto the bead-apex strip 9. The laser line L extends in the radial direction R or substantially in the radial direction R. The first camera 21 and the second camera 22 are each arranged at an angle to each other with respect to the respective laser line L at the support plane P.

The camera device 2 further comprises a camera frame 20 for supporting a first camera 21 and a second camera 22. Specifically, the camera frame 20 includes a holder 27 for commonly supporting the first camera 21 and the second camera 22. The camera frame 20 is movable relative to the weighing device 3 to move the first camera 21 and the second camera 22 along the camera path B. The camera path B extends parallel to the support plane P. The camera path B extends at least partially over the weighing device 3. Preferably, the camera path B includes an arc. More preferably, the radius of this arc corresponds or substantially corresponds to the radius of the bead-apex 9.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 1-5, the camera frame 20 is rotatable about a central axis a. Thus, the first camera 21 and the second camera 22 are also pivotable about the central axis a relative to the weighing device 3.

Specifically, the camera frame 20 includes a pivot arm 28 for supporting the holder 27. As best shown in fig. 4, the pivot arm 28 is rotatable about a central axis a. By rotating the pivot arm 28 about the central axis a, the first camera 21 and the second camera 22 also pivot about the central axis a. In other words, the first camera 21 and the second camera 22 pivot along the circular camera path B. Said camera path B corresponds at least in part to the periphery of the bead-apex 9. Preferably, the camera device 2 further comprises a first camera driver 25 for driving the pivot arm 28 in rotation about the central axis a.

The pivot arm 28 is rotatable about the central axis a through a rotation angle H. In other words, the camera path B extends along an arc having a diagonal angle equal to the rotation angle H. Preferably, the rotation angle H is centered around the splice location. Therefore, the rotation angle H may be smaller than 90 degrees. Preferably, the pivot arm 28 has a rotation angle H of less than 60 degrees. More preferably, the pivot arm 28 has a rotation angle between 10 degrees and 30 degrees.

The holder 27 is movable in a radial direction R with respect to the pivot arm 28. As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the pivot arm 28 is provided with a guide rail 29 for guiding the movement of the holder 27 relative to the pivot arm 28. The holder 27 is movable back and forth in the radial direction R between a first position as shown in fig. 3 and a second position as shown in fig. 5. In the first position, the radial positions of the first camera 21 and the second camera 21 correspond or substantially correspond to the inner diameter D1 of the bead-apex strip 9. In the second position, the holder 27 has been moved away from the central axis a in the radial direction R. In particular, the retainer 27 has been moved radially outwards to accommodate another bead-apex 9 having a larger diameter D2.

The first camera 21 and/or the second camera can also be moved in the radial direction R and/or in an axial direction perpendicular to the bearing plane P with respect to the holder 27.

As shown in fig. 1, the base 30 of the weighing device 3 comprises an aperture 39 for receiving and/or accommodating at least a portion of the camera device 2. The aperture 39 extends to the central axis a in a direction perpendicular to said central axis a, preferably in a radial direction R. Preferably, the aperture extends through the base 30. The aperture 39 is arranged to receive the pivot arm 28. Preferably, the aperture 39 is further arranged to receive the first camera driver 25.

As further shown in fig. 1, the weighing device 3 and the camera device 2 are independently supported. In particular, the camera device 2 is supported on the first camera driver 21 within the aperture 39 of the weighing device 3.

Fig. 6 shows an assembly 10 for assembling the bead-apex 9. The assembly 10 comprises an inspection station 1 as described above. The assembly 10 further comprises a supply station 11 for supplying the bead-apex strips 9 and a first transfer unit 12 for transferring the bead-apex strips 9 from the bead-apex strip production station 11 to the inspection station 1. As further shown in fig. 6, the assembly 10 further comprises a first outfeed station 14, a second outfeed station 15, a third outfeed station 16 and a second transfer unit 13 for selectively transferring the bead-apex strips 9 from the inspection station 1 to a respective one of the first outfeed station 14, the second outfeed station 15 and the third outfeed station 16. Alternatively, the first transfer unit 12 may be arranged to transfer the bead-apex strips 9 from the supply station 11 to the inspection station 1 and for transferring the bead-apex strips 9 from the inspection station to at least one of the first outfeed station 14, the second outfeed station 15 and the third outfeed station 16. In the embodiment shown, both the first transfer unit 12 and the second transfer unit 13 are robotic arms.

In this particular embodiment, the supply station 11 is a bead-apex assembly turret. The feed station 11 is rotatable about a table axis T. The supply station 11 comprises a first receiving member 111, a second receiving member 112, a third receiving member 113 and a fourth receiving member 114. The receiving members 111, 112, 113, 114 may be, for example, telescoping drums or wheels.

In the position shown in fig. 6, the first receiving member 111 is located at the bead supply position. In the bead supply position, the first receiving member 111 may be supplied with a bead core or bead 92. The second receiving member 112 is located at the apex winding position. At the apex winding position, the apex 91 may be wound around the bead 92 to form a bead-apex 9. Preferably, the ends of the apex 91 butt up against the splice as the apex 91 is wrapped around the bead 92 to create the splice S. The fourth receiving member 114 is in the transfer position. In said transfer position, the bead-apex 9 can be removed from the fourth receiving member 114 by the first transfer unit 12.

When the above-described actions have been performed on the respective receiving members 111, 112, 114 at the respective positions, the supply station 11 may be rotated about the table axis T to position the receiving members 111, 112, 113, 114 in the subsequent positions.

Preferably, the control unit 5 is electronically and/or operatively connected to the second transfer unit 13. In particular, the control unit 5 is arranged to control the second transfer unit 13 to selectively transfer the bead-apex strips 9 from the inspection station 1 to the respective output stations 14, 15, 16 based on the output values of the load cells 35 and/or the images recorded by the first camera 21 and/or the second camera 22.

In the exemplary embodiment, first outfeed station 14 is a weight reject station. The first outfeed station 14 is arranged to receive any bead-apex strips 9 rejected based on the measurements of the weighing device 3.

The second outfeed station 15 is a splice reject station. The second outfeed station 15 is arranged to receive any bead-apex strips 9 rejected based on the images recorded by the first 21 and second 22 cameras.

The third outfeed station 16 is a bead-apex outfeed station. The third outfeed station 16 is arranged to receive any bead-apex strips 9 approved based on the output values of the load cells 35 and/or the images recorded by the first camera 21 and/or the second camera 22. The third outfeed station 16 comprises a spacer supply unit 161 and a bead-apex release unit 162.

The spacer supply unit 161 is arranged to supply empty spacers 8 to the outfeed station 16. The second transfer unit 13 is arranged to place the bead-apex 9 on the empty spacer 8 and to move said spacer 8 from the spacer supply unit 161 to the bead-apex release unit 162. The bead-apex 9 may be transferred to the empty spacer 8 before or after the spacer 8 is transferred from the spacer supply unit 161 to the bead-apex release unit 162. Preferably, the spacers 8 are stackable.

The bead-apex release unit 162 is arranged to release the spacer 8 on which the bead-apex 9 is provided.

A method for inspecting the bead-apex 9 will now be described using fig. 1-6.

As shown in fig. 6, the bead-apex 9 is provided by a supply station 11. The bead-apex 9 is then transferred from said supply station 11 to the inspection station 1. Specifically, the bead-apex 9 is prevented from being on the support member 31. The bead-apex 9 is arranged concentrically with respect to the central axis a.

Preferably, the bead-apex 9 is placed on the support member 31 such that the splice S is located within a circular segment defined by the angle of rotation H of the pivot arm 28 about the central axis a. More preferably, the bead-apex 9 is placed on the support member 31 such that the splice S is centered or substantially centered with respect to the rotation angle H of the pivot arm 28.

Alternatively, as shown in fig. 3 and 5, the method includes moving the support member 31 in the radial direction R to accommodate the inner diameter D1 of the bead-apex 9. The method further comprises moving the holder 27 in a radial direction R with respect to the pivot arm 28 to adjust the radial positions of the first camera 21 and the second camera 22 to the inner diameter 21 of the bead-apex 9.

The method further comprises the steps of: the weight or weight distribution of the bead-apex 9 is measured using the load cell 35. The method further comprises the steps of: the bead-apex 9 is visually inspected using the first camera 21 and/or the second camera 22. Preferably, the step of measuring the weight or weight distribution of the bead-apex strip 9 and the step of creating a series of images of the bead-apex strip 9 are performed at least partially simultaneously.

The step of visually inspecting the bead-apex 9 includes creating a series of images of the bead-apex 9 while moving the first camera 21 and/or the second camera 22 along camera path B. Specifically, the first camera driver 25 is actuated to drive the pivot arm 28 to rotate over the rotation angle H.

The method further comprises the steps of: when the measured weight or weight distribution indicates a defective bead-apex strip 9, the bead-apex strip 9 is transferred from the inspection station 1 to the first outfeed station 14. The defective bead-apex 9 may then be scrapped or disposed of.

The method comprises the following steps: when the visual inspection indicates a defective bead-apex strip 9, the bead-apex strip 9 is transferred from the inspection station 1 to the second outfeed station 15. The defective bead-apex 9 can then be reworked.

Preferably, when both the measured weight or weight distribution and the visual inspection of the bead-apex strip 9 indicate a defective bead-apex strip 9, the bead-apex strip 9 is transferred from the inspection station 1 to the first outfeed station 14.

The method further comprises the steps of: when the weighing device 3 and the camera device 2 have not inspected a defect, the bead-apex strip 9 is transferred from the inspection station 1 to the third outfeed station 16.

In summary, the utility model relates to an inspection station 1 for inspecting a bead-apex strip 9, wherein the inspection station 1 comprises a weighing device 3 and a camera device 2, wherein the weighing device 3 comprises one or more support members 31 extending in a support plane P for statically supporting the bead-apex strip 9, wherein the camera device 2 comprises a first camera 21 spaced apart from the support plane P at a first side of the support plane P for visually inspecting the bead-apex strip 9, wherein the camera device 2 further comprises a camera frame 20 for supporting the first camera 21 relative to the weighing device 3, wherein the camera frame 20 is movable relative to the weighing device 3 for moving the first camera 21 relative to the weighing device 3 along a camera path B parallel to the support plane P, wherein the camera path B extends at least partially on the weighing device 3.

It should be understood that the above description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiments and is not intended to limit the scope of the utility model. Many variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the above discussion, and such variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present utility model.

Reference numerals

1. Inspection station

2. Camera device

20. Camera frame

21. First camera

22. Second camera

25. First camera driver

26. Second camera driver

27. Retaining member

28. Pivot arm

29. Guide rail

3. Weighing device

30. Base part

31. Support member

35. Load cell

38. Groove

39. Orifice

5. Control unit

8 bead-apex spacer

9 bead-apex

91. Tire bead

92. Triangular adhesive tape

109 substituted bead-apex

10. Assembly

11. Supply station

111. First receiving member

112. Second receiving member

113. Third receiving member

114. Fourth receiving member

12. First transfer unit

13. Second transfer unit

14. First output station

15. A second output station

16. Third output station

161. Spacer supply unit

162 bead-apex release unit

A central axis

B Camera Path

C circumferential direction

H rotation angle

L laser line

D1 First diameter

D2 Second diameter

R radial direction

S splice

Claims (18)

1. An inspection station for inspecting the bead-apex, characterized in that the inspection station comprises weighing means for measuring the weight of the bead-apex and camera means for visually inspecting the bead-apex,

wherein the weighing device comprises a base and one or more support members extending in a support plane for statically supporting the bead-apex strip with respect to the base,

wherein the camera device comprises a first camera spaced apart from the support plane at a first side of the support plane for visually inspecting the bead-apex strip at the first side of the support plane,

wherein the camera device further comprises a camera frame having a holder for supporting the first camera relative to the weighing device, wherein the camera frame is movable relative to the weighing device to move the first camera relative to the weighing device along a camera path parallel to the support plane, wherein the camera path extends at least partially over the weighing device.

2. The inspection station of claim 1, wherein the camera device further comprises a second camera at a second side of the support plane opposite the first side of the support plane for visually inspecting the bead-apex strip at the second side of the support plane, wherein the second camera is movable along the camera path.

3. An inspection station as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first camera and the second camera are commonly supported on the holder.

4. The inspection station of claim 1, wherein the camera path comprises an arc of a circle.

5. An inspection station according to claim 1 wherein the camera frame is rotatable relative to the weighing device about a central axis extending perpendicular to the support plane to pivot the first camera relative to the weighing device about the central axis.

6. An inspection station as claimed in claim 5, wherein the camera frame is pivotable about the central axis through an angle of rotation of less than 90 degrees.

7. An inspection station according to claim 5, wherein the support member is arranged to centre the bead-apex strip relative to the central axis.

8. An inspection station according to claim 5, wherein the holder is movable relative to the central axis in a radial direction perpendicular to the central axis.

9. The inspection station of claim 5, wherein the camera frame further comprises a pivot arm for supporting the holder, wherein the pivot arm extends in a radial direction and is rotatable about a central axis perpendicular to the support plane, wherein the holder is movable in the radial direction relative to the pivot arm.

10. An inspection station according to claim 1, wherein the weighing means and the camera means are independently supported.

11. An inspection station according to claim 5 wherein the base of the weighing device comprises an aperture for receiving the camera device, wherein the aperture extends upwardly to the central axis in a direction perpendicular to the central axis.

12. An inspection station as claimed in claim 1, wherein the camera means comprises a first camera driver for driving movement of the camera frame along the camera path.

13. An inspection station according to claim 8, wherein the camera means comprises a second camera driver for driving movement of the holder in the radial direction.

14. The inspection station of claim 1, wherein the first camera is a line camera.

15. An inspection station according to claim 1, wherein the weighing means comprises one or more load cells arranged between the one or more support members and the base for measuring the weight of the bead-apex.

16. Assembly for producing a bead-apex, characterized in that it comprises an inspection station according to claim 1.

17. The assembly of claim 16, further comprising a bead-apex supply station for providing the bead-apex and one or more outfeed stations for releasing the bead-apex, wherein the inspection station is disposed between the bead-apex supply station and the one or more outfeed stations.

18. The assembly of claim 17, further comprising one or more transfer units for transferring the bead-apex from the supply station to the inspection station, or for transferring the bead-apex from the inspection station to at least one of the one or more output stations.