A method for feeding a sliver end (2) of a sliver (8) deposited in a can (9) to a spinning station (3) of a spinning machine (1), wherein the spinning machine (1) comprises a plurality of adjacently arranged spinning stations (3) including cans (9) located under the spinning stations (3) in at least one row, and wherein a robot (12) grasps the sliver end (2) with the aid of a sliver gripper (14) and feeds it to a spinning station (3a) to be supplied. According to the invention, the sliver end (2) is sought in an area of at least one of the adjacent spinning stations (3b) of the spinning station (3a) to be supplied, preferably in the area (Ba) of the spinning station (3a) to be supplied and of at least one of the spinning stations (3b) adjacent to this spinning station (3a), is taken up by the sliver gripper (14) and is then fed to the spinning station (3a) to be supplied. In the case of a corresponding spinning machine, the sliver gripper (14) is designed and/or arranged on the robot (12) in such a way that it can take up the sliver end (2) in an area (Bb) of at least one spinning station (3b), which is adjacent to the spinning station (3a) to be supplied, preferably in the area (Ba) of the spinning station (3a) to be supplied and in the area (Bb) of at least one of the spinning stations (3b) adjacent to this spinning station (3a), and then feed the sliver end (2) to the spinning station (3a) to be supplied.

A maintenance device for servicing adjacent work stations of a textile machine includes an operating unit that further comprises at least one operating component configured to perform a service operation at the work stations. Driving rails are disposed alongside the workstations, and a guide moves the maintenance device on the driving rails in a direction of travel alongside the work stations. The maintenance device moves on the driving rails from a maintenance position in which one of the work stations is serviceable by the maintenance device into an inspection position in which the maintenance device can be inspected. For transport of the maintenance device from the maintenance position into the inspection position, the operating unit is pivotal relative to the guide unit and/or the operating component is movable relative to the operating unit.

A maintenance device for servicing adjacent work stations of a textile machine includes an operating unit that further comprises at least one operating component configured to perform a service operation at the work stations. Driving rails are disposed alongside the workstations, and a guide moves the maintenance device on the driving rails in a direction of travel alongside the work stations. The maintenance device moves on the driving rails from a maintenance position in which one of the work stations is serviceable by the maintenance device into an inspection position in which the maintenance device can be inspected. For transport of the maintenance device from the maintenance position into the inspection position, the operating unit is pivotal relative to the guide unit and/or the operating component is movable relative to the operating unit.

A method is provided for operating a textile machine, with a multiple number of adjacent work stations having a respective spinning unit with a spinning device and/or one winding device and handling elements for piecing a thread or for connecting two thread ends. If production is interrupted, a thread end on the bobbin side is provided to a defined receiving position at the work station. For piecing the thread or for connecting the thread ends, the thread end on the bobbin is cut to length by the work station work elements, received from the receiving position, prepared for piecing or for connecting and pieced up or connected. A thread end wound on the bobbin is sought out by means of a thread seeking device deliverable to multiple work stations of the textile machine, and the thread end is subsequently moved into the receiving position at the work station, from which it is received by the work station work element of the work station, in particular by a handling element of its own work station. A corresponding textile machine is also provided.

A method is provided for operating a textile machine, with a multiple number of adjacent work stations having a respective spinning unit with a spinning device and/or one winding device and handling elements for piecing a thread or for connecting two thread ends. If production is interrupted, a thread end on the bobbin side is provided to a defined receiving position at the work station. For piecing the thread or for connecting the thread ends, the thread end on the bobbin is cut to length by the work station work elements, received from the receiving position, prepared for piecing or for connecting and pieced up or connected. A thread end wound on the bobbin is sought out by means of a thread seeking device deliverable to multiple work stations of the textile machine, and the thread end is subsequently moved into the receiving position at the work station, from which it is received by the work station work element of the work station, in particular by a handling element of its own work station. A corresponding textile machine is also provided.

A method and associated handling unit transfer a sliver from a sliver can into a workstation of a sliver processing textile machine that has a plurality of identical workstations arranged next to one another. The handling unit is stopped at the workstation and the sliver is captured with the handling unit at the sliver can. The captured sliver is transferred to a receiving unit of the workstation and, after the sliver has been transferred, the sliver is released from the handling unit as the handling unit leaves the workstation. After the sliver has been released, a check is performed to determine whether the sliver has been completely removed from the handling unit.

A method for operating a work station of a textile machine that produces or rewinds yarn in a normal operation, wherein the normal operation is interrupted. The method includes performing at least one service step for restoring the normal operation, wherein a service result is specified for the service step. A standard service operation is carried out with a service device until the service result has been achieved or a predetermined number of failed attempts has been reached. When the predetermined number of failed standard service operation attempts has been reached, an extended service operation is carried out.

A method for operating a work station of a textile machine that produces or rewinds yarn in a normal operation, wherein the normal operation is interrupted. The method includes performing at least one service step for restoring the normal operation, wherein a service result is specified for the service step. A standard service operation is carried out with a service device until the service result has been achieved or a predetermined number of failed attempts has been reached. When the predetermined number of failed standard service operation attempts has been reached, an extended service operation is carried out.

A method is provided for controlling movement and operation of an attending device of a yarn manufacturing textile machine, wherein the attending device moves along a row of workstations arranged next to each other to perform operations at the workstations. The method controls the movement of the attending device along the work stations and operations of the attending device based on success statistics of the operations at the workstations to achieve an overall increased efficiency of the textile machine. An operational stay of the attending device at a particular one of the work stations is terminated without waiting for a result of the operation being performed by the attending device at the particular workstation.

A method at a workstation of a spinning machine or winding machine supplies an auxiliary thread from a thread nozzle to a suction assigned to the workstation, the auxiliary thread stretched between the thread nozzle and the suction. The auxiliary thread is severed to form a thread section protruding into the suction and a thread section extending into the thread nozzle, wherein the thread section protruding into the suction is carried away by the suction. The thread section extending into the thread nozzle is grasped with a thread receiver such that the thread section extending into the thread nozzle extends between the thread nozzle and the thread receiver. The thread section extending into the thread nozzle is severed to form a thread section remaining in the thread nozzle and a thread section coming from the thread receiver. The thread section coming from the thread receiver is transferred to the suction of the workstation. The thread section coming from the thread receiver is grasped with a capture arrangement adjacent a tube at the workstation prior to starting a process of winding the thread section coming from the thread receiver onto the tube.