Inspection apparatus with alternate side illumination

摘要

Apparatus for inspecting product pieces in a product stream comprising a system for creating a stream of product pieces for delivery in free flight at a viewing station, first light means for illuminating the viewing station from one side with light for reflection from product therein, second light means for illuminating the viewing station from the other side with light for reflection from product therein, a scanning system for receiving light from the first and second illuminating means reflected from product pieces in the viewing station and transmitted across the viewing station, and means for activating the first and second light means alternately in first and second scanning phases to successively illuminate a product stream at the viewing station.

主权项

1. Apparatus for inspecting product pieces in a product stream comprising:
a system for creating a stream of product pieces for delivery in free flight at a viewing station; a first light comprising light emitting diodes for illuminating the viewing station from one side of the stream of product pieces with light for reflection from the product pieces; and a second light comprising light emitting diodes for illuminating the viewing station from the other side of the stream with light for reflection from the product pieces; wherein each of the first and second lights is operable to emit light in at least two different wavelength ranges and/or amplitude ranges in response to different electrical current inputs; the apparatus further comprising: a scanning system for receiving light from the first and second lights as reflected from the product pieces to each side of the stream in the viewing station and as transmitted across the viewing station; and a system for activating the first and second lights alternately in first and second scanning phases to successively illuminate the product pieces in the stream of product pieces at the viewing station whereby in the first scanning phase, the first light will emit light at a first wavelength or intensity, and the second light will emit light at a second wavelength range or intensity and in the second scanning phase, the first light will emit light at a wavelength or intensity different to the first wavelength or intensity, and the second light will emit light at a wavelength or intensity different to the second wavelength range or intensity.