Method and facility for inspecting and/or sorting, combining surface analysis and volume analysis

摘要

Automatic process for inspection and/or for sorting of objects (2), articles involves subjecting advancing flow of objects, articles to two different types of contactless analysis by radiation, whose results are used in combined manner for each object, article, to perform a discrimination among these objects, articles, on the one hand, surface analysis process able to determine the physical and/or chemical composition of the upper or outer layer of an object exposed to radiation, on the other hand, volume analysis process able to determine equivalent thickness of material of same object. An independent claim is included for installation for inspection and/or for automatic sorting of objects, articles belonging to at least two different classes or categories, in particular for using the process, where the installation comprising, on the one hand, unit to ensure the advancement approximately in a single layer of the objects, for example a conveyor belt or a similar transport support, and, on the other hand, at least two contactless analysis unit by radiation of the advancing objects, articles, an installation where it further comprises central processing unit for the combined use of the results furnished for each object, article by the analysis units of different types, to perform a discrimination among these objects and/or an evaluation of characteristic of the latter and in that analysis units comprise, on the one hand, at least one surface analysis unit able to determine the physical and/or chemical composition of the upper or outer layer of an object exposed to the radiation of this means and, on the other hand, at least one volume analysis means able to determine the equivalent thickness of material of the same object.