Systems and methods for loading and delivering stalk subassemblies and yarn packages are disclosed herein. Such systems and methods can have at least one processor, at least one automated guided vehicle, at least one creel assembly, and an automated creel loading assembly. The at least one automated guided vehicle can be communicatively coupled to the at least one processor. The at least one processor can be configured to selectively direct an automated guided vehicle to engage a respective stalk subassembly. Upon engagement between the automated guided vehicle and the stalk subassembly, the processor can be configured to selectively direct the automated guided vehicle to move about and between the selected operative position within the creel assembly and a loading position proximate the automated creel loading assembly.

A filament winding apparatus includes a working area in which an operator performs an operation to at least one bobbin and/or liner on a conveyance path, an operation area in which a winder is driven, a buffer area between the working area and the operation area in a conveyance direction on the conveyance path, and an outside area that is neither the working area, the operation area, nor the buffer area being provided; and first fixed fences provided at borders between (i) the operation area and the buffer area and (ii) the working area and at the borders between (I) the operation area and the buffer area and (II) the outside area; and a first door provided at a border between the working area and the buffer area, and wherein the buffer area includes an accumulator portion capable of accumulating the at least one bobbin and the liner.

A filament winding apparatus includes a working area in which an operator performs an operation to at least one bobbin and/or liner on a conveyance path, an operation area in which a winder is driven, a buffer area between the working area and the operation area in a conveyance direction on the conveyance path, and an outside area that is neither the working area, the operation area, nor the buffer area being provided; and first fixed fences provided at borders between (i) the operation area and the buffer area and (ii) the working area and at the borders between (I) the operation area and the buffer area and (II) the outside area; and a first door provided at a border between the working area and the buffer area, and wherein the buffer area includes an accumulator portion capable of accumulating the at least one bobbin and the liner.

An automatic yarn feeding system is provided. The system comprises a yarn feeding track which is arranged on the twisting machine in a length direction of the twisting machine and provided with a yarn feeding manipulator walking along the yarn feeding track; and a supply zone which is arranged on one side of the yarn feeding track and used to buffer base yarns. The yarn feeding manipulator is used to convey the base yarns from the supply zone to a yarn feeding creel of each spindle position. The yarn feeding track is located in the middle of the top of the twisting machine. The supply zone is provided with a structure for buffering a plurality of base yarns, and is located on one side of an end of the yarn feeding track on the top of a control cabinet.

A method and associated method are provided or introducing a supply of reserve nose wires in a facemask production line prior to depletion of running nose wires in the production line. A first nose wire source and first cutter system are provided for supplying the running nose wires to the production line. A reserve nose wire source and second cutter system are staged in a stand-by state proximate to the first nose wire source. Prior to depletion of the first nose wire source, the reserve nose wire source and second cutter system are brought up to an operational speed while diverting nose wires from the second cutter system away from the production line. At operational speed of the reserve nose wire source and second cutter system, nose wires from the second cutter system are diverted to the production line while diverting nose wires from the first cutter system away from the production line.

A method and associated method are provided or introducing a supply of reserve nose wires in a facemask production line prior to depletion of running nose wires in the production line. A first nose wire source and first cutter system are provided for supplying the running nose wires to the production line. A reserve nose wire source and second cutter system are staged in a stand-by state proximate to the first nose wire source. Prior to depletion of the first nose wire source, the reserve nose wire source and second cutter system are brought up to an operational speed while diverting nose wires from the second cutter system away from the production line. At operational speed of the reserve nose wire source and second cutter system, nose wires from the second cutter system are diverted to the production line while diverting nose wires from the first cutter system away from the production line.

A method and associated system are provided for splicing a reserve nose wire to a running nose wire in a facemask production line, wherein the running nose wire is supplied continuously from a supply roll. Prior to depletion of the running nose wire, the supply roll is moved from an operating location to an intermediate location that is further from the production line while continuing to supply the running nose wire from the supply roll. The supply roll is then moved from the intermediate location back towards the production line while decelerating the supply roll to a stop, thereby creating an accumulation of the running wire functionally between the supply roll and the production line. With the supply roll at a stop, the running nose wire is continuously supplied from the accumulation and a leading end of a reserve roll of nose wire is spliced to the running nose wire at a location upstream of the accumulation where the running nose wire is at a standstill. The running nose wire is then cut at a location upstream of the splice such that the reserve nose wire and reserve roll become a new running nose wire and new supply roll in the production line.

A method and associated system are provided for splicing a reserve nose wire to a running nose wire in a facemask production line, wherein the running nose wire is supplied continuously from a supply roll. Prior to depletion of the running nose wire, the supply roll is moved from an operating location to an intermediate location that is further from the production line while continuing to supply the running nose wire from the supply roll. The supply roll is then moved from the intermediate location back towards the production line while decelerating the supply roll to a stop, thereby creating an accumulation of the running wire functionally between the supply roll and the production line. With the supply roll at a stop, the running nose wire is continuously supplied from the accumulation and a leading end of a reserve roll of nose wire is spliced to the running nose wire at a location upstream of the accumulation where the running nose wire is at a standstill. The running nose wire is then cut at a location upstream of the splice such that the reserve nose wire and reserve roll become a new running nose wire and new supply roll in the production line.

A yarn producing apparatus produces carbon nanotube (CNT) yarn by aggregating CNT fibers, A substrate support supports a CNT forming substrate, a winding unit continuously draws the CNT fibers, a yarn producing unit aggregates the CNT fibers, a status monitor monitors a state of the CNT yarn, and a supply state changing mechanism changes a supply state of the CNT fibers, based on a result of monitoring by the status monitor.

A yarn producing apparatus produces carbon nanotube (CNT) yarn by aggregating CNT fibers, A substrate support supports a CNT forming substrate, a winding unit continuously draws the CNT fibers, a yarn producing unit aggregates the CNT fibers, a status monitor monitors a state of the CNT yarn, and a supply state changing mechanism changes a supply state of the CNT fibers, based on a result of monitoring by the status monitor.