WO2012117499A1

WO2012117499A1 - Inspection system of filter rod

Info

Publication number: WO2012117499A1
Application number: PCT/JP2011/054508
Authority: WO
Inventors: 哲也奥山; 櫛橋　重信
Original assignee: 日本たばこ産業株式会社
Priority date: 2011-02-28
Filing date: 2011-02-28
Publication date: 2012-09-07

Abstract

This inspection system has: a camera (60) that takes an image of an end surface of an exposed continuous string (22) of a filter rod, when the filter rod including the continuous string (22) serving as an object to be inspected is conveyed along a conveyance path; an image determination device (66) that performs image processing of an inspection image taken by the camera (60) to determine whether or not the continuous string (22) is positioned on the center of the filter rod; a removal device (78) for removing the filter rod from the conveyance path; an adjustment device (80) for adjusting the position of the continuous string (22) in the manufacturing process of the filter rod; and a controller (76) that controls the operation of the removal device (78) or the adjustment device (80) on the basis of the results of determination received from the determination device (66).

Description

Filter rod inspection system

The present invention relates to a filter rod used for manufacturing a filter cigarette, and more particularly to a filter rod inspection system having a string-like inspection object inside.

A filter rod having a flavor string is known among filter rods, and such a filter rod manufacturing machine is disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example. Thus, when a filter cigarette is manufactured from a filter rod, a flavor string is exposed in the end surface of a filter cigarette, ie, the center of the end surface of the filter element.

Since the flavor string is exposed in this way, the flavor string must be positioned substantially on the axis of the filter rod after the filter rod is manufactured in order to maintain the quality of the filter cigarette at a high level. For this reason, the manufactured filter rod needs to be inspected whether or not the flavor string is accurately positioned.

For this inspection, Patent Document 1 also discloses an inspection system that is applied to the manufacturing machine. The inspection system is disposed in the conveyance path for conveying the manufactured filter rod, and is disposed on the conveyance path. The end face of the filter rod is imaged with a camera, the position of the flavor string is inspected based on the inspection image obtained by this imaging, and the analysis device that outputs the inspection result, based on the inspection result output from the analysis device, And a rejection device that excludes defective filter rods from the conveyance path.

WO2010 / 028354 A1

Since the inspection system of Patent Document 1 can eliminate defective filter rods, only normal filter rods can be supplied for the production of filter cigarettes.
By the way, once the analyzer determines that the filter rod is defective, the filter rod following the defective filter rod also tends to be continuously determined to be defective due to the structural limitations of the manufacturing machine. When the number of defective filter rods exceeds the threshold, the analyzer stops its inspection, while receiving this inspection stop, the operation of the manufacturing machine is also stopped. From this, the inspection system of patent document 1 reduces the operating efficiency of a manufacturing machine, ie, the productivity of a filter rod, remarkably.

An object of the present invention is to provide a filter rod inspection system capable of effectively inspecting a filter rod without reducing the productivity of the filter rod.

The above-mentioned object is achieved by the inspection system of the present invention, and this inspection system is applied to the inspection of a filter rod that includes an inspection object inside and has one end face where the inspection object is exposed. That is, the inspection system of the present invention extends from a filter rod manufacturing machine, is arranged in a transport path for transporting the filter rod manufactured by the manufacturing machine, images one end surface of the filter rod, and captures a captured inspection image. A determination device that receives an inspection image from the camera device, determines whether the quality of the filter rod is poor based on the received inspection image, and outputs the determination result A determination device including a position to be inspected in the one end face in quality to be performed, an exclusion device disposed on the transport path downstream of the camera device, and for removing the filter rod from the transport path, and the filter rod Controls the operation of the exclusion device or adjustment device based on the determination result received from the adjustment device and the determination device Provided with that controller.

Since the above-described inspection system includes an exclusion device, when the determination device detects a defective filter rod, the controller operates the exclusion device at a predetermined timing to exclude the defective filter rod from the conveyance path. Therefore, only the normal filter rod can be transported toward the subsequent process in the transport path. Such a function of the exclusion device allows the production of the filter rod to be continued even if a defective filter rod is detected.
On the other hand, since the inspection system also includes an adjustment device, this adjustment device reduces the production of defective filter rods due to the displacement of the inspection object, and reduces the load on the determination device and the exclusion device.

Specifically, the manufacturing machine receives a filter tow for a filter rod and a trumpet guide that respectively forms a string for forming an inspection object, and is arranged upstream of the trumpet guide, and introduces the string into the trumpet guide. In this case, the adjusting device includes an actuator for moving the introduction guide in two directions orthogonal to the axis to be inspected, specifically, an XY table.

On the other hand, the exclusion device may include a nozzle capable of ejecting compressed air, and the nozzle individually excludes the filter rod from the conveyance path by ejecting the compressed air.
If the transport path includes a conveyor line, the rejection device can include a rejection conveyor that forms part of the conveyor line and can be tilted up and down, and the rejection conveyor tilts downward to cause a defective filter rod. Are removed from the transport path.
Further, the rejecting device can include a rejecting arm instead of the rejecting conveyor, which moves so as to sweep on the conveyor line and rejects defective filter rods from the transport path.

Specifically, the determination device calculates an approximate circle that approximates the ring of the cross section of the filter rod, and determines whether the position of the inspection target is at the center of the approximate circle based on the calculated approximate circle. Preferably, the determination device can include a preprocessing section for determining a scan area of the inspection image.
Specifically, the inspection target is a string including a flavor component, and this string has a color different from that of the filter material forming the filter rod.

Since the inspection system of the present invention includes an adjustment device for an inspection object in addition to a defective filter rod elimination device, even if a defective filter rod is detected, the production of the filter rod can be continued. The inspection of the filter rod is carried out efficiently. In addition, the adjusting device reduces the occurrence of defective filter rods, thus greatly contributing to the improvement of filter rod productivity.

1 shows a perspective view of a filter cigarette, the filter rod including a filter element obtained from the filter rod that is the subject of the present invention. It is the schematic which showed the manufacturing machine of the filter rod. It is the schematic which showed the inspection system of one Example. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view showing a part of FIG. 2 in detail. It is the flowchart which showed the test | inspection routine which the image determination apparatus of FIG. 3 performs. It is a figure for supplementing description of a test | inspection routine. It is the flowchart which showed the control routine which the controller of FIG. 4 performs. It is the figure which showed the modification of the exclusion apparatus. It is the figure which showed the other modification of the exclusion apparatus.

First, before describing the inspection system of the present invention, a filter cigarette having a flavor string and a filter rod manufacturing machine having a flavor string inside will be briefly described.
FIG. 1 shows a filter cigarette, which includes a cigarette 10, a filter element 12 disposed at one end of the cigarette 10, and a chip paper 14 that couples the cigarette 10 and the filter element 12.

Furthermore, the filter element 12 has a filter material wrapped in a rod shape by a wrapping material, and a flavor string 16 disposed in the filter material, and the flavor string 16 is positioned on the axis of the filter element 12; It is exposed at both end faces of the filter element 12. The flavor string 16 includes a twisted yarn made of a composite fiber and a fragrance such as mint carried on the twisted yarn, and has a diameter of about 1 mm, for example. Further, the flavor string 16 has a color different from that of the filter material (usually white).

On the other hand, FIG. 2 schematically shows a filter rod manufacturing machine, and the filter rod manufactured by this manufacturing machine has a length multiple of the filter element 12.
Since the manufacturing machine is known, the production of the filter rod by the manufacturing machine will be briefly described here. The manufacturing machine has a trumpet guide 18 at its upstream end, and the continuous string 22 is supplied to the trumpet guide 18 through the introducing device together with the above-described filter material, that is, the filter tow 20. Is equivalent to the continuous. The introduction device will be described later.

In the process in which the filter tow 20 and the continuous string 22 pass through the trumpet guide 18, the filter tow 20 is squeezed into a rod shape around the continuous string 22 and formed into a composite filter material having the continuous string 22 inside. Thereafter, the composite filter material is supplied from the trumpet guide 18 to the wrapping section 24.

The wrapping section 24 includes a garniture tape 26 that runs along the forming bed, which garnish tape 26 receives a wrapping web 30 supplied from a roll 28 along with the composite filter material, and the wrapping web 30 and the composite filter material together. Let it run. During the traveling process of the packaging material web 30 and the composite filter material, the packaging material web 30 and the composite filter material sequentially pass through the tongue 32, the forming holder 34 and the dryer 36, and are formed into a rod-shaped filter continuous body 38. The filter continuum 38 is obtained by wrapping a composite filter material in a wrapping material web 30, and the continuous string 22 is positioned on the axis of the filter continuum 38.

Thereafter, the filter continuum 38 is supplied from the wrapping section 24 to the cutter 40 and is cut into individual filter rods by the cutter 40. The filter rod has a length that is an even multiple of the filter element 12 described above. Further, when the filter rod delivered by the cutter 40 passes through the acceleration separation device 42, it is separated from the subsequent filter rod, supplied to the transport path 44, and received by the transport path 44.

The conveying path 44 includes a drum row 46 in the upstream area, and this drum row has a plurality of drums with grooves. In FIG. 2, only two

grooves

48 and 50 are shown, and the grooved drum 48 located at the upstream end of the drum row 46, that is, in the vicinity of the acceleration separation device 42, removes the filter rod from the acceleration separation device 42. A catcher drum for receiving.

More precisely, each grooved drum has a large number of grooves on its peripheral surface, and these grooves have a size capable of receiving a filter rod. The filter rod received by the grooved drum 48 is conveyed along the outer periphery of the grooved drum 48 as the grooved drum 48 rotates, and is received from the grooved drum 48 by the grooved drum 50. That is, the filter rod is conveyed while sequentially transferring to the grooved drum forming the drum row.

Furthermore, the conveyance path 44 includes a conveyor line 52 extending from the downstream end of the drum row 46, and this conveyor line 52 receives the filter rod from the drum row 46 and conveys the received filter rod toward the empty transport box 54. The transport box 54 is disposed on a belt conveyor 56 and receives a filter rod delivered from the end of the conveyor line 52. The transport box 54 filled with filter rods is moved by the belt conveyor 56, and a new empty transport box is supplied to the end of the conveyor line 52.

Next, an inspection system according to an embodiment applied to the above-described manufacturing machine will be described with reference to FIG.
The inspection system includes a camera device 58, which is disposed near the side surface of the grooved drum 48 described above. Specifically, the camera device 58 includes a camera 6, and the camera 60 is configured such that when the filter rod conveyed along the outer periphery of the grooved drum 48 passes the inspection position, one end surface of the filter rod is colored. Take an image. In FIG. 3, the filter rod is indicated by reference numeral 62.

Specifically, the camera device 58 further includes a trigger sensor 64 and a light source 65 that illuminates the inspection position. The trigger sensor 64 is, for example, a photoelectric sensor. The trigger sensor 64 detects the filter rod 62 upstream of the inspection position in the filter rod conveyance direction, and after a predetermined time has elapsed from the detection time, that is, the trigger sensor 64. The imaging command is transmitted to the camera 60 at the timing when the filter rod 62 that has passed through reaches the inspection position. The camera 60 operates at the time of receiving an imaging command, images one end surface of the filter rod passing through the inspection position, and thereby an inspection image including the one end surface is obtained.

The camera 60 transmits the inspection image to the image determination device 66. The image determination device 66 is based on the preprocessing section 68 for determining the target area of the image processing for the inspection image, and the outer shape of the filter rod 62 based on the target area image processing. A first inspection section 70 for inspecting and a second inspection section 72 for inspecting the continuous string 22 in the filter rod 62, and an output section 74 for receiving inspection results in the first and

second inspection sections

70, 72. . Specifically, the image determination device 66 includes a microcomputer, and software for realizing the functions of

sections

68, 70, 72 and 74 is incorporated in this microcomputer. Details of sections 68-74 will be described later.

The image determination device 66 (output section 74) is electrically connected to the controller of the manufacturing machine described above, that is, the controller 76. Therefore, the controller 76 can receive the inspection result from the image determination device 66, and operates the exclusion device 78 of the filter rod 62 or the adjustment device 80 of the continuous string 22 based on the inspection result. The controller 76 also includes a microcomputer. The microcomputer has a function of collecting and storing the inspection results as quality data as well as the operation control of the exclusion device 78 and the adjustment device 80.

Specifically, the rejection device 78 includes an electromagnetically actuated air ejection nozzle 82, and this air ejection nozzle 82 is provided in a grooved drum 84 other than the grooved drum 48 included in the drum row 46, and the outer periphery of this grooved drum. Is located at the exclusion position defined in While the air ejection nozzle 82 is electrically connected to the controller 76, it is connected to a compressed air source, and this compressed air source supplies high-pressure air toward the air ejection nozzle 82.

Specifically, when the defective filter rod 62 to be eliminated is in the grooved drum 84, the controller 76 opens the air ejection nozzle 82 at the timing when the defective filter rod 62 reaches the exclusion position. As a result, high-pressure air is ejected from the air ejection nozzle 82 toward the defective filter rod 62, and the defective filter rod 62 is excluded from the grooved drum 84 by the ejection of the high-pressure air.

For simplification of explanation, FIG. 3 shows the air ejection nozzle 82 outside the grooved drum 84, but the actual air ejection nozzle 84 is disposed in the grooved drum 84.
On the other hand, before describing the adjusting device 80, a method of introducing the continuous string 22 into the trumpet guide 18 will be described with reference to FIG.

As is apparent from FIG. 4, the manufacturing machine further includes an introduction guide 86 having a tube shape, for example, which extends from the outside of the trumpet guide 18 into the trumpet guide 18, and the inner end of the introduction guide 86 is the trumpet guide. It is positioned on 18 axes. The continuous string 22 is fed from the supply source, guided into the trumpet guide 18 through the introduction guide 86, and delivered from the inner end of the introduction guide 86 toward the tongue 32 of the wrapping section 24 described above. In FIG. 4, thick arrows indicate the flow of filter tow.

The adjusting device 80 includes a sleeve holder 88 that holds the introduction guide 86 outside the trumpet guide 18, and an actuator that specifically supports the sleeve holder 88, specifically, an XY table 90. The XY table 90 can move the sleeve holder 88, that is, the introduction guide 86 in two directions perpendicular to each other in the vertical plane. Therefore, the XY table 90 has two motors (not shown), and these motors are electrically connected to the controller 76.

When the introduction guide 86 is moved in two directions in the horizontal plane, as shown in FIG. 4, the continuous string 22 in the composite filter material described above is in the X direction (horizontal direction) and / or the Y direction (vertical direction). Moving. As a result, the position of the continuous string 22 in the manufactured filter rod 62 is moved in two directions orthogonal to the axis within the filter rod 62.
FIG. 5 shows an inspection routine executed by the image determination device 66 described above, and this inspection routine will be described below. The function of each section 68-74 of the image determination device 66 becomes clear from the description of the inspection routine.

First, an inspection image captured by the camera 60, that is, an image frame F is read (step S1). As shown in FIG. 6A, the image frame F includes the image P of the end face of the filter rod 62. Next, a target area for image processing of the image P, that is, a square scanning area T is temporarily set in the image frame F (step S2). Specifically, the scanning area T has a width that allows the image P to be arranged with a predetermined margin secured therein, and the scanning area T is temporarily set to the estimated position of the image P in the image frame F. The

Further, the scanning area T includes a reference arc R corresponding to a part of the ring of the standard cross section of the filter rod 62, and this reference arc R is a temporarily set scanning area as shown in FIG. When it is assumed that the ring D having the standard cross section is drawn at the center of T, it is positioned at the reference position on the ring D.
Next, a matching position where the reference arc R coincides with the ring of the image P is searched by pattern matching (step S3). As a result of this search, a positional deviation (direction and amount) from the reference position to the matching position is calculated. (Step S4). Thereafter, the position of the scanning area T is corrected based on the positional deviation (step S5). As a result, the scanning area T can reliably capture the image P therein.

Steps S1 to S5 described above indicate processing executed in the preprocessing section 68.
Next, the scanning area T is scanned, and as a result of this scanning, a ring C of the image P is obtained, and an approximate circle E approximating the ring C is within the scanning area T as shown in FIG. And the center coordinates G of the approximate circle E within the image frame F are calculated (step S6). Here, the center G coordinate of the approximate circle E indicates the center of the end face of the filter rod 62.

Thereafter, the ring C of the image P is compared with the approximate circle E, and based on the comparison result, it is determined whether or not the roundness of the filter rod 62 is maintained (step S7). Specifically, first, a radial line passing through the center coordinate G of the approximate circle E is drawn, and the intersections of the radial lines with respect to the approximate circle E and the ring C are obtained, respectively, and FIG. As shown, the distance N between the intersections is calculated. The distance between the intersections is sequentially calculated for about 100 radial lines that equally divide the approximate circle E in the circumferential direction.

When at least one of the calculated distances between the intersections exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the roundness of the filter rod 62 is denied, and the filter rod 62 is determined to have a deformed ring. .
If the decision result in the step S7 is negative (NG), defect flag DF ₁ to 1 is set (step S8), and step S9 to be described later is executed. Note that other defect flag bad flag DF ₁ and later are respectively reset to zero before the routine is executed.

Steps S6 to S8 described above indicate processing executed in the first inspection section 70 described above.
On the other hand, when the determination result of step S7 is affirmative (OK), it is determined whether or not the portion H indicating the continuous string 22 exists in the image P (step S10). Here, in the image P, since the color is different between the part indicating the filter tow and the part H indicating the continuous string 22, whether or not the continuous string 22 exists in the filter rod 62 based on the difference in color. Discrimination is possible.

If the decision result in the step S10 is negative (No), then 1 is set to failure flag DF ₂ (step S11), and step S9 is executed.
On the other hand, if the determination result of step S10 is affirmative (Yes), it is determined whether or not there is one continuous string 22 (step S12). The discrimination here can be determined based on the number of detected parts H. If the determination result in step S12 is No (No), that is, if it is determined that there are two or more continuous strings 22, it is determined that foreign matter is mixed in the filter rod 62, and therefore, the next step S13. at, after 1 is set to failure flag DF _3, step S9 is executed.

If the determination result of step S12 is affirmative (Yes), it is determined whether or not the position of the continuous string 22 is normal (step S14). Specifically, in this step, first, the position of the center of gravity of the detected part H, that is, the center of gravity coordinates is obtained. Thereafter, a distance L between the center coordinate G and the center-of-gravity coordinate of the approximate circle E described above is calculated, and it is determined whether or not the distance L is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold L _MAX (for example, 0.9 mm).

If the decision result in the step S14 is negative (No), that is, if the center of gravity of the region H is deviated from the center coordinate G of the approximate circle E, after 1 is set to failure flag DF _4, the step S9 Executed.
On the other hand, if the determination result in step S14 is affirmative (Yes), the deviation amount ΔD (= difference between the distance L and the threshold L _MAX ) and the deviation direction _Or are calculated with respect to the center coordinate G (step S16). ), Step S9 is executed.

Step S9 exerts a function of the output section 74 described above (see FIG. 3), bad flag DFi The deviation amount [Delta] D, the deviation direction O _r outputted as the test result to the controller 76 described above, thereafter, outputted poor flag DFi or deviation [Delta] D, is reset to O _r 0. Here, i of the defect flag DFi represents an integer of 1-4.

FIG. 7 shows a control routine executed by the controller 76 based on the inspection result received from step S9 (image determination device 66).
First, in this control routine, the inspection result of the image determination device 66, that is, the defect flag DFi or the deviation ΔD is read (step S17), and then whether or not any _{one of} the defect flags DF ₁ -DF ₄ is determined. A determination is made (step S18). If the determination result in step S18 is affirmative (Yes), the controller 76 outputs an exclusion signal to the above-described exclusion device 78 at a predetermined timing (step S19). That is, the controller 76, failure of the filter rod 62 having a defect flag DF _i outputs a rejection signal at a timing of reaching the excluding position from the inspection position as described above.

When the reject device 78 receives the reject signal, the reject signal 78 ejects high-pressure air from the air nozzle 83 toward the defective filter rod 62 so that the defective filter rod 62 is in the grooved drum 84, i. Excluded from the path.
Thereafter, the controller 76 classifies and stores the defect information of the excluded filter rod 62, specifically, information including the type of the defect flag DF and the number of rejections for each type (step S20).

Here, as is clear from the inspection routine of FIG. 5, once the determination result of any of steps S7, S10, S12, and S14 becomes affirmative, the subsequent steps are not performed in the inspection routine, so that the inspection is required. The load on the image determination device 66 is reduced.
On the other hand, if the determination result of step S18 is negative (No), it is determined whether or not the above-described deviation ΔD is larger than the allowable value (step S21). If the determination result of step S21 is affirmative (Yes), the next step S22 is bypassed. However, if the determination result in step S21 is negative (No), the controller 76 transmits the aforementioned deviation amount ΔD and deviation direction Or to the aforementioned adjustment device 80 in step S22.

The adjusting device 80 operates the XY table 90 on the basis of the deviation amount ΔD and the deviation direction Or, and adjusts the position of the introduction guide 86, that is, the introduction position of the continuous string 22 into the trumpet guide 18. The string 22 is positioned on the axis of the filter rod 62.
The above-described inspection routine of FIG. 5 and the control routine of FIG. 7 are executed for individual filter rods 62 passing through the inspection position, that is, all manufactured filter rods 62.

As is clear from the above description, even if a defective filter rod 62 is detected in the inspection routine, the defective filter rod 62 is removed from the conveyance path. Therefore, the defective filter rod 62 is not mixed in the transport box 54 described above. That is, regardless of the detection of the defective filter rod 62, the above-described manufacturing machine can continue to manufacture the filter rod, so that the productivity of the filter rod is greatly improved.

On the other hand, even if the manufacturing machine manufactures a normal filter rod 62, when there is a tendency that the position of the continuous string 22 in the filter rod 62 deviates from the allowable range, the image determination device 66 determines the above-described deviation amount ΔD. The deviation direction _Or is output to the adjusting device 80 through the controller 76. Therefore, the adjusting device 80 eliminates the above-described tendency and greatly reduces the number of defective filter rods 62 that are excluded by the removing device 78.

The present invention is not limited to the inspection system of the embodiment described above, and various modifications are possible.
For example, FIG. 8 shows a modification of the exclusion device 78.
In this case, a part of the conveyor line 52 is replaced with an exclusion conveyor 92. The exclusion conveyor 92 is supported so as to be tiltable in the vertical direction around its downstream end. The downstream end of the exclusion conveyor 92 is mechanically connected to a motor 94, and the motor 94 is electrically connected to the controller 76. When receiving the exclusion signal from the controller 76, the motor 94 moves the exclusion conveyor 92 from the horizontal rest position (solid line) to the exclusion position (two-dot chain line) inclined downward. As a result, the filter rod lump including the defective filter rod 62 is removed from the conveyor line 52, that is, the conveyance path in units of about 100 by the tilt of the removal conveyor 92.

FIG. 9 shows another modification of the exclusion device 78.
In this case, the conveyor line 52 includes an exclusion arm 96. The exclusion arm 96 extends along the one side edge of the conveyor line 52, and is supported on the conveyor line 52 so as to be rotatable in the horizontal direction around the base end. The proximal end of the exclusion arm 96 is mechanically connected to a motor 98, and the motor 98 is electrically connected to the controller 76. When receiving the exclusion signal from the controller 76, the motor 98 moves the exclusion arm 96 from the rest position (solid line) outside the conveyor line 52 to the exclusion position (two-dot chain line) sweeping on the conveyor line 52. As a result, the filter rod lump including the defective filter rod 62 is removed from the conveyor line 52, that is, the conveyance path by about 100 units by the sweeping operation of the removal arm 96.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the inspection system may further include an alarm device 100. This alarm device 100 is electrically connected to the controller 76. When the controller 76 receives a failure flag DF _i from the image determination apparatus 66, the controller 76 operates the alarm device 100.
Further, the inspection system of the present invention can be similarly applied to inspection items other than the inspection items described above, for example, inspection of filter rod crushing, filter material chipping, and the like. Furthermore, when there are a plurality of continuous strings in the filter rod, the inspection system of the present invention can be applied to the inspection of the number and arrangement of continuous strings.

18 Trumpet guide 22 Continuous string 44 Transport path 46 Drum row 48 Drum with groove (drum row)
52 Conveyor line 58 Camera device 60 Camera 66 Image determination device 68 Pre-processing section 78 Exclusion device 80 Adjustment device 84 Drum with groove (drum row)
86 Introduction Guide 90 XY Table (Actuator)
92 Exclusion conveyor 96 Exclusion arm

Claims

It extends from a manufacturing machine that manufactures a filter rod having an end surface that includes an inspection object and the inspection object is exposed, and is disposed in a conveyance path that conveys the manufactured filter rod, and the one end surface of the filter rod is A camera device for imaging and outputting the captured inspection image;
A determination device that receives the inspection image from the camera device, determines whether or not the quality of the filter rod is poor based on the received inspection image, and outputs the determination result. A determination device, wherein the quality includes a position of the inspection object in the one end surface;
An exclusion device disposed downstream of the camera device in the transport path and for removing a filter rod from the transport path;
An adjusting device for adjusting the position of the inspection object in the filter rod;
A filter rod inspection system comprising: a control device that controls the operation of the exclusion device or the adjustment device based on a determination result received from the determination device.
The manufacturing machine includes a trumpet guide for receiving a filter tow for the filter rod and a string for forming the inspection object;
An introduction guide disposed upstream of the trumpet guide and guiding the introduction of the string into the trumpet guide;
The inspection system according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment device includes an actuator for moving the introduction guide in two directions orthogonal to the axis of the inspection target.
3. The inspection system according to claim 2, wherein the actuator has an XY table.
The inspection system according to claim 1, wherein the exclusion device includes a nozzle capable of ejecting compressed air, and individually excludes the filter rod from the transport path.
The transport path includes a conveyor line;
The inspection system according to claim 1, wherein the exclusion device includes an exclusion conveyor that forms a part of the conveyor line and is tiltable in the vertical direction.
The transport path includes a conveyor line;
The inspection system according to claim 1, wherein the exclusion device includes an exclusion arm movable so as to sweep on the conveyor line.
The determination device calculates an approximate circle approximated to a ring of a cross section in the filter rod, and determines whether or not the position of the inspection target is at the center of the approximate circle based on the calculated approximate circle. The inspection system according to claim 1, wherein
The inspection system according to claim 7, wherein the determination device includes a preprocessing section for determining a scanning region of the inspection image.
The inspection system according to claim 1, wherein the inspection target is a string including a flavor component, and the string has a color different from that of the filter material forming the filter rod.