Method and device for identifying capsule defects in a filter of the tobacco processing industry

A device for measuring capsule defects in a tobacco filter, comprising:

• a microwave measurement apparatus configured to measure values for at least one of:
• (i) a density of the tobacco filter;
• and (ii) a moisture content of the tobacco filter;
• and
• a controller in communication with the microwave measurement apparatus configured to,
• process the measured values,
• compare the measured values with a threshold value,
• identify a capsule defect if the measured values undershoot the threshold value,
• determine a value for a degree of fluctuation for the measured values in a region that is at least one of:
• (i) in front of a measurement location;
• and (ii) behind the measurement location, in which at least one measured value is below the threshold value, and
• compare the value for the degree of fluctuation with a capsule threshold value, wherein,
• the capsule defect comprises a broken capsule when the value for the degree of fluctuation exceeds a predetermined capsule threshold value, and
• the capsule defect comprises a missing capsule when the value for the degree of fluctuation undershoots the predetermined capsule threshold value.