Diagnostic method for analysing the operation of an automatic machine which processes products in the tobacco industry

A diagnostic method for analyzing an operation of an automatic machine which processes products in the tobacco industry, comprising the following steps:

• introducing into the machine an endoscopic probe having a shape and size corresponding to products processed by the machine, the probe comprising at least one sensor capable of detecting values of at least one probe parameter representing situations to which the probe has been subjected to over time, wherein the probe acquires probe data including the values of the at least one probe parameter in an operating time interval between an acquisition start instant and an acquisition stop instant, wherein the probe includes outer walls and a core and wherein the at least one sensor includes an electrical sensor sensitive to a capacity or inductance between the outer walls and the core, to allow detection of a capacity or inductance providing an electrical parameter representative of a strain applied to the probe;
• processing the probe by the machine as if the probe were one of the products;
• determining positions adopted by the probe during the processing in the machine;
• associating the values acquired by the probe during the processing of the probe in the machine with corresponding ones of the positions adopted by the probe during the processing in the machine;
• acquiring line data through at least one line sensor controlled by a control unit provided in the machine, the line data including values of at least one machine parameter representing operation of at least one element of the line, wherein the line data are acquired in the time interval between the acquisition start instant and the acquisition stop instant, wherein the at least one machine parameter includes a phase parameter representing a position occupied at a given instant by one or more conveyors used to move the products along the machine;
• generating an activation signal defining the acquisition start instant;
• transmitting the activation signal simultaneously to the probe and to the control unit;
• acquiring the line data in response to receiving the activation signal;
• acquiring the probe data in response to receiving the activation signal;
• and
• tracking a movement of the endoscopic probe along a movement path in the operating time interval, based on the phase parameter.