A footwear lacing apparatus can comprise a housing structure, a modular spool and a drive mechanism. The housing structure can comprising a first inlet, a second inlet, and a lacing channel extending between the first and second inlets. The modular spool can be disposed in the lacing channel and can comprise a lower plate including a shaft extending from the lower plate, and an upper plate including a drum portion. The upper plate can be releasably connected to the lower plate at a connection interface. The drive mechanism can couple with the modular spool and can be adapted to rotate the modular spool to wind or unwind a lace cable extending through the lacing channel and between the upper and lower plates of the modular spool.

A device as well as a method for determining the diameter of a yarn balloon (B) formed by a continuous yarn at a workstation (1) of a yarn balloon forming textile machine. The workstation (1) comprises an electromagnetically functioning sensor means (33), designed and arranged in such a way that at least two interruptions of a measuring beam (42) of the sensor means (33) are caused by the yarn (5, 25) forming the yarn balloon (B) during every rotation of the yarn balloon (B) during the operation of the workstation (1), and in that the time interval between the interruptions of the measuring beam (42) can be recorded by the sensor means (33) and used for calculating the diameter of the yarn balloon (B).

A device as well as a method for determining the diameter of a yarn balloon (B) formed by a continuous yarn at a workstation (1) of a yarn balloon forming textile machine. The workstation (1) comprises an electromagnetically functioning sensor means (33), designed and arranged in such a way that at least two interruptions of a measuring beam (42) of the sensor means (33) are caused by the yarn (5, 25) forming the yarn balloon (B) during every rotation of the yarn balloon (B) during the operation of the workstation (1), and in that the time interval between the interruptions of the measuring beam (42) can be recorded by the sensor means (33) and used for calculating the diameter of the yarn balloon (B).

A device as well as a method for determining the diameter of a yarn balloon (B) formed by a continuous yarn at a workstation (1) of a yarn balloon forming textile machine. The workstation (1) comprises an electromagnetically functioning sensor means (33), designed and arranged in such a way that at least two interruptions of a measuring beam (42) of the sensor means (33) are caused by the yarn (5, 25) forming the yarn balloon (B) during every rotation of the yarn balloon (B) during the operation of the workstation (1), and in that the time interval between the interruptions of the measuring beam (42) can be recorded by the sensor means (33) and used for calculating the diameter of the yarn balloon (B).

A method for operating a workstation (1) of a yarn balloon forming textile machine, wherein a yarn balloon (B) formed by a continuous yarn (5) circling a spindle (2) of the workstation (1) is scanned with a sensor means (33) at said workstation. Data (D) recorded by the sensor means (33), providing information about the current diameter of the yarn balloon (B) to be monitored, is transmitted to a control circuit (18), in that the control circuit (18) calculates the current actual diameter of the yarn balloon (B) by means of this data (D) and further known data, compares this with a stipulated target diameter of the yarn balloon (B), and in that the control circuit (18) ensures that the yarn balloon (B) has the stipulated target diameter with the aid of a means (6) switched into the yarn path of the yarn (5), for influencing the yarn tension.

In a method for producing a musical string, wherein at least one first winding element is wound on a string core of the musical string in the form of a helical line around the string core, it is proposed that during the winding of a first longitudinal section of the string core using the first winding element, a first pre-tension is applied to the string core, and during the winding of a second longitudinal section of the string core, which is different from the first longitudinal section, using the first winding element, a second pre-tension, which is different from the first pre-tension, is applied to the string core.

In a method for producing a musical string, wherein at least one first winding element is wound on a string core of the musical string in the form of a helical line around the string core, it is proposed that during the winding of a first longitudinal section of the string core using the first winding element, a first pre-tension is applied to the string core, and during the winding of a second longitudinal section of the string core, which is different from the first longitudinal section, using the first winding element, a second pre-tension, which is different from the first pre-tension, is applied to the string core.

A footwear lacing apparatus can comprise a housing structure, a spool and a drive mechanism. The housing structure can comprise a first inlet, a second inlet, and a lacing channel extending between the first and second inlets. The lacing channel can comprise a spool receptacle located between the first and second inlets, a first relief area located between the spool receptacle and the first inlet, and a second relief area located between the spool receptacle and the second inlet. The first and second relief areas can be linearly tapered between the spool receptacle and the first and second inlets, respectively. The spool can be disposed in the spool receptacle of the lacing channel. The drive mechanism can be coupled with the spool and adapted to rotate the spool to wind or unwind a lace cable extending through the lacing channel and through the spool.

Systems and apparatus related to footwear including a modular lacing engine are discussed. In an example, a modular footwear apparatus including an upper portion, a lower portion, and a lacing engine is described. The upper portion can include a lace to adjust fit of the upper portion against a foot, the lace adjustable between a first position and a second position based at least in part on manipulation of an effective length of the lace. The lower portion can include a mid-sole and an out-sole, and the lower portion can be coupled to the upper portion at the mid-sole. The lacing engine can include a top-loading lace spool to engage a loop of the lace to enable manipulation of the effective length of the lace through rotation of the lace spool, the lacing engine received within a cavity in the lower portion.

Assembly methods related to an automated footwear platform including a lacing engine drive apparatus are discussed. In an example, an assembly method can include operations such as inserting a mid-sole plate, attaching a laced upper portion, and inserting a lacing engine. The inserting a mid-sole plate operation can include inserting the mid-sole plate into a mid-sole of the footwear platform. The attaching a laced upper portion operation can include attaching a laced upper portion to the mid-sole and positioning a lace loop in the mid-sole plate. Finally, the inserting a lacing engine operation can include inserting a lacing engine into a cavity in the mid-sole plate, wherein the lacing engine includes a lace spool exposed along a superior surface to receive the lace loop.