Method and apparatus for detecting the configuration of elongated elements

A method for detecting the configuration of rods for reinforced concrete, the method comprising the steps of

• a. providing a drawing and/or straightening assembly along a supply line for one said rod, a detection station arranged downstream of said drawing and/or straightening assembly, a detection assembly comprising at least a first contact member arranged in said detection station and shaped to interact in contact with said rod to force said rod along said supply line if said configuration of said rod is deviating with respect thereto, said at least first contact member being associated with a sensor device comprising a sensitive element configured to emit a signal indicating a stress produced by the contact between said at least first contact member and said rod, at least when said rod is forced by said at least first contact member along said supply line;
• b. feeding said rod through said detection station along said supply line, thus bringing said at least first contact member into contact with said rod, said contact producing said stress;
• c. detecting by means of said sensitive element said stress exerted by said rod on said at least first contact member, in contact with said at least first contact member, by emitting at least one signal indicating said stress;
• d. sending said at least one signal to a processing unit of said detecting assembly;
• e. correlating by means of said processing unit said received indicator signal to said configuration of said rod, processing a display of said configuration in an intelligible form for an operator and/or a corresponding adjustment instruction for said drawing and/or straightening assembly.