Compacting unit and method for the tobacco industry

A compacting unit for the tobacco industry, configured to axially compact groups of rod-shaped segments intended to form rod-shaped smoking articles, wherein each group, of segments comprises at least two segments which are disposed in axial alignment with each other and axially end to end, the compacting unit comprising:

• a conveyor configured to convey the groups of segments along a feed path which extends in a feed direction and which meets a compacting station for compacting the groups of segments, wherein the conveyor is provided with a plurality of housing grooves, each housing groove being configured to receive and retain a group of segments disposed perpendicularly to the feed direction,
• a first compactor having a first contact portion adapted to be placed in contact with a first axial end of at least one group of segments in transit in the compacting station,
• a second compactor having a second contact portion adapted to be placed in contact with a second axial end of at least one group of segments in transit in the compacting station,
• wherein the first compactor and the second compactor are configured to act in conjunction with each other at least at the compacting station in such a way as to apply an axial compacting action on the groups of segments by means of the first contact portion and second contact portion,
• wherein the first contact portion is compliant, preferably elastically compliant, along a longitudinal direction of extension of the groups of segments upon interaction with the first axial end of the groups of segments themselves and in that the second contact portion defines a rigid abutment along the longitudinal direction of extension of the groups of segments suitable for setting a predetermined position for the second axial end of the groups of segments.