A method for detecting a characteristic of a textile or metal thread fed to an operating machine, by the generation of a light signal impacting the thread to create a shadow on an optical sensor device connected to means for monitoring a characteristic of the thread on the basis of an electrical signal emitted by such sensor device as a function of the shadow generated on said sensor device by the thread itself, the characteristic being a physical characteristic of the thread such as its diameter or a characteristic of the feed of the thread when in movement, such as its speed. The signal may be detected in analog mode or a digital mode, the signal detected in the digital mode providing real time calibration of the signal detected in analog mode to generate an electrical signal used by the monitoring means to monitor the characteristics of the thread.

Automatic operation of a ring spinning system containing a ring spinning machine having spinning positions and a winding machine having winding positions. Yarn is spun at one of the spinning positions and wound up to a cop. Values of a parameter characteristic for the operation of the spinning position are determined during the winding of the cop and stored as spinning data that is assigned to the cop. The spinning data assigned to the cop is taken into account when deciding whether to feed the cop after it has been set down to one of the winding positions. The assignment is based on an identification of a point in time of winding of the cop and an identification of the spinning position at which the cop was wound.

Automatic operation of a ring spinning system containing a ring spinning machine having spinning positions and a winding machine having winding positions. Yarn is spun at one of the spinning positions and wound up to a cop. Values of a parameter characteristic for the operation of the spinning position are determined during the winding of the cop and stored as spinning data that is assigned to the cop. The spinning data assigned to the cop is taken into account when deciding whether to feed the cop after it has been set down to one of the winding positions. The assignment is based on an identification of a point in time of winding of the cop and an identification of the spinning position at which the cop was wound.

An instrument for identifying at least one of fiber blend composition and fiber blend ratio in an input material moved by a third set of fiber movements. A second spectral radiation source directs radiation toward the input material. A second spectral sensor receives portions of the second radiation that pass through the input material. A third spectral sensor receives portions of the second radiation that reflect off of the input material. A controller processes the signals from at least one of the second spectral sensor and the third spectral sensor to determine at least one of the fiber blend composition and the fiber blend ratio in the input material. The controller also sends control signals to the second electromagnetic radiation source and the third set of fiber movements.

A display and operating device for a textile machine includes a touchscreen that displays a first main operating mask and of a second main operating mask, both of which present a plurality of retrievable information masks and input masks for operating the textile machine. The first main operating mask includes a machine visualization field that displays a simplified visualization of the textile machine and at least one shortcut operating button related to an operational task to be carried out by an operator on the textile machine. The first main operating mask also includes a first toggle button for accessing and presenting the second main operating mask. The second main operating mask includes a display of an overview of selectable submenus by means of which machine settings of the textile machine are set or changed, and additional information is retrievable.

A display and operating device for a textile machine includes a touchscreen that displays a first main operating mask and of a second main operating mask, both of which present a plurality of retrievable information masks and input masks for operating the textile machine. The first main operating mask includes a machine visualization field that displays a simplified visualization of the textile machine and at least one shortcut operating button related to an operational task to be carried out by an operator on the textile machine. The first main operating mask also includes a first toggle button for accessing and presenting the second main operating mask. The second main operating mask includes a display of an overview of selectable submenus by means of which machine settings of the textile machine are set or changed, and additional information is retrievable.

A phase calculation unit (12) calculates, as a first phase, a deflection angle of a first similarity vector having a first similarity and a second similarity calculated by a similarity calculation unit (11) as elements. The phase calculation unit (12) calculates, as a second phase, a deflection angle of a second similarity vector having a third similarity and a fourth similarity calculated by the similarity calculation unit (11) as elements. A period calculation unit (13) calculates a period of a pattern formed on a long body on the basis of the first phase and the second phase calculated by the phase calculation unit (12). An abnormality detection unit (14) detects an abnormality in the long body on the basis of the period calculated by the period calculation unit (13).

A phase calculation unit (12) calculates, as a first phase, a deflection angle of a first similarity vector having a first similarity and a second similarity calculated by a similarity calculation unit (11) as elements. The phase calculation unit (12) calculates, as a second phase, a deflection angle of a second similarity vector having a third similarity and a fourth similarity calculated by the similarity calculation unit (11) as elements. A period calculation unit (13) calculates a period of a pattern formed on a long body on the basis of the first phase and the second phase calculated by the phase calculation unit (12). An abnormality detection unit (14) detects an abnormality in the long body on the basis of the period calculated by the period calculation unit (13).

A method is provided for operating a spinning machine or winder that includes a plurality of same-kind workstations and a plurality of input terminals situated with the workstations. The method includes at least intermittently configuring at least one of the input terminals as a master terminal. Commands are entered for operation of all or a group of the workstations via the master terminal. Designation of the master terminal is changed to one or more different ones of the input terminals at different points in time. A spinning machine or winder that practices the method is also provided.

A method for controlling a display on a spinning machine or winder having a plurality of same-kind workstations and a plurality of displays includes assigning one of the displays to at least two of the workstations, wherein each display includes a display area. During normal operation of the workstations, information regarding the individual workstations assigned to the particular display is simultaneously displayed in respective subareas of the display area. When required by changed operating states at the work stations, a surface area of the subareas is changed to display information regarding at least one of the workstations on a larger subarea. An associated spinning machine or winder is also provided.