A detection system for detecting and determining an integrity of pharmaceutical/parapharmaceutical articles, comprising:
- a conveyor device, for conveying and advancing articles, the conveyor device comprising an advancement section in which the articles are advanced on a flat plane, in a line one after another in an advancement direction;
- a processor for data processing;
- at least a colour matrix video camera connected to the processor and arranged above the advancement section of the conveyor device and arranged so that a lens thereof is facing towards the advancement section so that a visual field thereof for capturing images is at the advancement section, along which the articles are advanced in a line, one after another, so that the colour matrix video camera can capture a series of images of an outline and a colour of each article, during the advancement thereof along the advancement section across the visual field of the colour matrix video camera, the processor being programmed to receive the images captured by the colour matrix video camera and to process the images so as to supply, for each article, a first datum relative to an effective shape of the outline and colour of the article;
- a laser projector able to emit and project a laser beam, the laser projector being positioned above the conveyor device and predisposed such as to project and direct a laser beam into the advancement section of the articles in a position internally of the visual field of image capture of the at least a colour matrix video camera, in such a way that the laser beam can be crossed by each of the articles advancing in a line one after another along the advancement section;
- a high-speed linear three-dimensional video camera connected to the processor and predisposed so that a lens thereof is facing towards the advancement section so that a visual field thereof for capturing images is at a zone in which the laser beam is crossed by the articles advancing in a line, one after another, along the advancement section, internally of the visual capturing field of the at least a colour matrix video camera, such that the high-speed linear three-dimensional video camera can capture a succession of images corresponding to successive outlines cut in the laser beam by each article as it crosses the laser beam, the processor being further programmed so as:
- to receive the images of the successive profiles cut in the laser beam by each article, captured by the high-speed linear three-dimensional video camera;
- to process the images, captured by the high-speed linear three-dimensional video camera, so as to supply a second datum relating to the effective thickness and shape of the three-dimensional profile of each article which has crossed the laser beam;
- to associate the second datum to the first datum concerning the outline and colour of the same article;
- to process the first datum and the second datum so as to define, for each article which is transited from the advancement section and which has crossed the laser beam, an indicative datum of the outline, colour, thickness and three-dimensional profile of the article;
- to compare the indicative datum with a reference datum representative of a whole article having a predetermined outline, colour, thickness and three-dimensional profile, and consequently supply a validation or rejection notice in relation to the article.