An apparatus for manufacturing a consumable for an aerosol provision system. The apparatus includes a feeding apparatus for receiving and supplying a sheet of aerosol-generating material along a conveyance path, and a sensor configured to detect information indicative of defects in the sheet as the sheet passes along the conveyance path. The apparatus can include a consumable forming apparatus configured to receive the sheet of aerosol-generating material and form the sheet into a consumable, and a controller configured to determine the presence of a defect in the sheet based on the information detected by the sensor. A consumable for an aerosol provision system can be manufactured by the apparatus and/or method disclosed herein. Additionally, an apparatus, method and controller for analyzing a sheet of aerosol-generating material for an aerosol provision system consumable and a system for manufacturing a consumable for an aerosol provision system.

The invention relates to an inspection station for crimped sheet material. The station comprises a light source to illuminate crimped sheet material in an inspection location, a vibrating device to vibrate crimped sheet material in the inspection location. The vibrating device comprises a vibrating element, wherein crimped sheet material is guidable along or over the vibrating element for the crimped sheet material to be vibrated by the vibrating element. The inspection station further comprises a detector for detecting light received from the vibrated crimped sheet material, thereby providing images of the crimped sheet material, and a controller to determine loose material on the crimped surface of the sheet material. The invention also relates to an inspection method and an apparatus comprising an inspection station.

An inspection station for manufactured components includes a framework and a plurality of cameras. The framework has of a plurality of vertically stacked and spaced apart plates. Each plate defines a central orifice. The central orifices of each plate are aligned along an axis. The manufactured components are configured to freefall through the central orifices defined by the plates. The plurality of cameras is secured to the framework. Each camera is focused toward a region within the framework to capture images of the manufactured components. The plurality of cameras is arranged in an array that extends radially about the axis. At least one of the cameras is positioned at an angle above a horizontal plane that is perpendicular to the axis and intersects the region within the framework. At least one of the cameras is positioned at an angle below the horizontal plane.

A method is disclosed. The method may include generating a first optical image of a sample with a first inspection sub-system. The first optical image may be generated when a first set of photoluminescent markers are emitting photoluminescent illumination at a first time interval. The method may include generating additional optical images with an additional inspection sub-system. The additional optical images may be generated when additional photoluminescent markers are emitting photoluminescent illumination at additional time intervals. The method may include generating an accumulated optical image based on the first optical image and the additional optical images. The method may include determining a location of the photoluminescent markers based on the accumulated optical image. The method may include determining a pattern of the sample based on the determined location of the photoluminescent markers.

A method and a measuring equipment of the degree of crystallinity of a polymer coating on a metallic substrate using a hyperspectral camera as well as representing or mapping the degree of crystallinity is provided. An equipment for online measurement of crystallinity of polymers, including at least one hyperspectral camera, at least one lighting source, a polymer layer deposited on a substrate and means to convey the substrate, the lighting source and the hyperspectral camera being set-up in specular reflection towards the polymer layer.

Methods of inspecting a material include moving the material and identifying a defect location of a defect. Methods include moving a camera along a second travel path in a second travel direction such that a field of view (FOV) of the camera moves relative to the material along the second travel path to match the defect location. Methods include passing the defect through the field of view (FOV) as the material moves and capturing images of the defect with the camera as the material moves and the defect moves through the FOV. The images include a first image of a first major surface, a second image of a second major surface, and a third image of an intermediate portion of the material between the first major surface and the second major surface. Methods include reviewing the plurality of images to characterize the defect.

Systems and methods for thermal radiation detection utilizing a thermal radiation detection system are provided. The thermal radiation detection system includes one or more mercury-cadmium-telluride (HgCdTe)-based photodiode infrared detectors or Indium Arsenide (InAs)-based photodiode infrared detectors and a temperature sensing circuit. The temperature sensing circuit is configured to generate signals correlated to the temperatures of one or more of the plurality of infrared sensor elements. The thermal radiation detection system also includes a signal processing circuit.

A surface inspection device of a metal strip includes: a first light source unit configured to emit light to a surface of a metal strip; a first imaging unit configured to image regular reflection light on the surface by emission light from the first light source unit; a second light source unit configured to emit light of a wavelength band different from the first light source unit to the surface; a second imaging unit configured to image irregular reflection light on the surface by emission light from the second light source unit; and a surface defect distinguishing unit configured to distinguish a surface defect by using the regular reflection light and irregular reflection light. The emission light from the first light source unit and the emission light from the second light source unit are simultaneously applied to a same place on the surface of the metal strip.

An optical detection device and a detection method thereof are provided. A linear light source provides a light curtain formed by multiple light beams, the light curtain is located on a transportation path of transporting an object to be detected. A sensor set senses the part of light beams not interrupted by the object to be detected, so as to generate a sensing signal with various strengths. A control circuit determines a physical characteristic, moving speed and position of the object to be detected according to the strength of the sensing signal.

A method for identifying defects in a web of material translating along a travel path is provided. The method includes receiving a first image from a first camera; receiving a second image from a second camera; identifying a candidate as a possible defect within the first image; determining a first x-y position of the candidate relative to the first image; identifying the candidate within the second image; and determining the candidate is a probable defect based on the first x-y position and a second x-y position of the candidate within the second image. The first x-y position and the second x-y position predict the candidate is located on the web of material within a margin-of-error.