Apparatus for nondestructively inspecting a coated article and associated method

摘要

Apparatus and an associated method are provided for nondestructively inspecting a coated article which may be a coated drug unit to determine the extent of coating on the exterior thereof. A probe may be received within a housing wherein the article is coated and transported as in a fluidized bed. A probe which has a recess for receiving coated article and a communicating fiberoptic receiving passageway. The recess receives a single coated article or plurality of coated articles on which light, which is preferably near-infrared light, is caused to impinge by a first group of fiberoptic fibers with the reflected light being delivered from the coated article to a spectrometer which analyzes the coating information. A microprocessor may be employed to control the inspection process, as well as the coating system. The probe may be rotatably mounted within the housing to facilitate removal of the coated article after inspection under the influence of gravity. In the alternative, suction may be employed to urge the coated article into the recess prior to and during inspection and pressure may be employed to remove the coated article from the recess after inspection. The invention also contemplates removing the coated article from the housing of the probe to permit inspection outside of the housing or use of the probe independently of the coating equipment. The coated article may be positioned and clamped in the probe during inspection.