A robotic spooler may be provided. First, a first take-up section of a Capture, Cut, and Transfer (CCT) device may receive a longitudinally continuous material. Then, the CCT device may cause the longitudinally continuous material to be captured by a first spool adjacent to the CCT device, cause the longitudinally continuous material to be taken up onto the first spool, and to provide a first cut to the longitudinally continuous material. Next, the CCT device may transfer the longitudinally continuous material from the first take-up section of the CCT device to a second take-up section of the CCT device. Then the CCT device may cause the longitudinally continuous material to be captured by a second spool adjacent to the CCT device, cause the longitudinally continuous material be taken up onto the second spool, and to provide a second cut to the longitudinally continuous material.

A creel assembly having an outer wall defines an interior space, a plurality of yarn package engagement locations distributed within the interior space, a gantry that is movable secured within the interior space, and at least one processor. The gantry is positioned to selectively engage yarn packages within the interior space. In use, the gantry can selectively access the plurality of yarn package engagement locations. The processor is communicatively coupled to the gantry and receives an input corresponding to a selected action by the gantry. Modular creel systems can be formed from a plurality of the disclosed creel assemblies. Methods of using and assembling the disclosed creel assemblies and modular creel systems are also disclosed.

A textile machine management system and associated method for textile machines include automated guided transportation vehicles that transport material carriers between the textile machines. A logistic control system controls movement of the transportation vehicles. A material management apparatus manages the material flow between the textile machines and includes: a material flow database; a prediction module; and a disposition module.

A textile machine management system and associated method for textile machines include automated guided transportation vehicles that transport material carriers between the textile machines. A logistic control system controls movement of the transportation vehicles. A material management apparatus manages the material flow between the textile machines and includes: a material flow database; a prediction module; and a disposition module.

A canister-yarn tensioning assembly is adapted for controlling tension in a running yarn drawn from a yarn supply package located within an open-top canister. The canister-yarn tensioning assembly includes a cylindrical adapter configured to reside at a mouth of the open-top canister. The adapter defines an unobstructed package transfer space sufficient to allow the yarn supply package to be manually lowered through the adapter and into the canister. A pivoted support arm is carried by the adapter, and configured to pivot at a connection point located on a peripheral flange of the adapter. One or more yarn tensioners are carried by the pivoted support arm, and are movable between an operative position within the package transfer space and an inoperative package-replacement position outside of the package transfer space.

A canister-yarn tensioning assembly is adapted for controlling tension in a running yarn drawn from a yarn supply package located within an open-top canister. The canister-yarn tensioning assembly includes a cylindrical adapter configured to reside at a mouth of the open-top canister. The adapter defines an unobstructed package transfer space sufficient to allow the yarn supply package to be manually lowered through the adapter and into the canister. A pivoted support arm is carried by the adapter, and configured to pivot at a connection point located on a peripheral flange of the adapter. One or more yarn tensioners are carried by the pivoted support arm, and are movable between an operative position within the package transfer space and an inoperative package-replacement position outside of the package transfer space.

Various embodiments disclosed herein provide for a lip assembly for a vacuum gripper or suction device that is designed to work well with both soft flexible packages and articles with rigid surfaces. The lip assembly can have a compliant or flexible inner lip that soft packages can blossom over when suction is applied, while the outer lip of the lip assembly is also suited to working with hard, rigid packages. The vacuum gripper can be mounted on an end of arm tool of a robotic arm and can therefore be configured to work with a wide variety of packages and package types. The small footprint achieved by having a single vacuum gripper that is able to work with both types of packages enables a better opportunity to pick individual packages at one time and maintain a grasp on the package during medium to high-speed transport.

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.

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.