Positioning of segments for aerosol-generating articles with a positioning wheel having adjustable receiving positions

A system for positioning segments for aerosol-generating articles, comprising:

• a positioning wheel configured to rotate about a rotation axis;
• wherein the positioning wheel comprises seats arranged around a circumference of the positioning wheel, wherein each seat defines a receiving position for an at least substantially rod-shaped segment for an aerosol-generating article, wherein a longitudinal direction of the segment extends along a circumferential direction of the positioning wheel, when the segment is received in the receiving position on the positioning wheel,
• wherein the system is configured to be brought into a first configuration, wherein in the first configuration, the receiving positions are arranged around the circumference of the positioning wheel relative to each other according to a first pattern of circumferential distances in between the receiving positions, and
• wherein the system is configured to be brought into a second configuration, wherein in the second configuration, the receiving positions are arranged around the circumference of the positioning wheel relative to each other according to a second pattern of circumferential distances in between the receiving positions.

A method for adjusting a pattern in which segments for aerosol-generating articles are positioned, comprising:

• modifying a configuration of a positioning wheel depositing segments for aerosol-generating articles on a conveyor surface,
• wherein the positioning wheel comprises seats arranged around a circumference of the positioning wheel, each seat defining a receiving position for a segment,
• wherein there is no displacement between the seats parallel to a rotation axis of the positioning wheel, and
• wherein the modifying the configuration of the positioning wheel comprises changing a circumferential position of at least one of the seats on the positioning wheel.