Device for optical inspection of preforms

A line for making containers of thermoplastic material, comprising a moulding machine configured to make parisons and an apparatus for optical inspection of parisons, wherein the apparatus for optical inspection is operatively located downstream of the moulding machine and comprises:

• a conveyor configured to transport the parisons in succession along an inspection path;
• an inspection station, located along the inspection path and including at least one inspection camera, configured to capture image data of a parison positioned in the inspection station, wherein the conveyor has a first operating configuration for transporting parisons of a first size and a second operating configuration for transporting parisons of a second size, different from the first size, the conveyor including at least one adjustment actuator, configured to move the conveyor between the first and the second operating configuration.

A method for optical inspection of parisons, comprising the following steps:

• conveying the parisons to be inspected in succession along an inspection path, by means of a conveyor;
• capturing image data of a parison positioned in an inspection station by means of at least one inspection camera;
• moving the conveyor, by means of at least one adjustment actuator, between a first operating configuration, where the conveyor transports parisons of a first size, and a second operating configuration, where the conveyor transports parisons of a second size, different from the first size.