A textile machine producing cross-wound packages with a plurality of identical workstations which are arranged in the area of the longitudinal sides of the textile machine and each of which has a winding device, and equipped with a tube supply device which includes a central tube magazine and at least one tube conveyor belt installed in the area of the longitudinal sides of the machine, in which case a cross-wound package can be removed, if necessary, from the winding device of the relevant workstation on the textile machine producing cross-wound packages and can be transferred to a cross-wound package transport device running the length of the machine, and an empty tube provided on the tube conveyor belt of the tube supply device can be inserted by means of a tube gripper into the winding device of the relevant workstation. The tube supply device is designed in such a way that the tube conveyor belt can be used as a tube accumulator for empty tubes during the operation of the textile machine producing cross-wound packages. In order to improve the efficiency of such a textile machine producing cross-wound packages, in particular to minimize significantly the tube delivery times arising in the event of yarn lot changes at a textile machine producing cross-wound packages, a drive is connected to the at least one tube conveyor belt, which drive enables reversible operation of the tube conveyor belt.

The method is used for the automatic operation of a ring spinning system (1) which contains a ring spinning machine (2) having a plurality of spinning positions (21) and a winding machine (3) having a plurality of winding positions (31). Yarn (92) is spun at one of the spinning positions (21) and wound up to a cop (91). For the spinning position (21), values of a parameter characteristic for the operation of the spinning position (21) are determined during the winding of the cop (91) and stored as spinning data. The spinning data are assigned to the cop (91). The cop (91) is set down from the spinning position (21). The spinning data assigned to the cop (91) is taken into account when deciding whether to feed the cop (91) after it has been set down to one of the winding positions (31). The automatic assignment is based on an identification of a point in time of winding of the cop (91) and an identification of the spinning position (21) at which the cop (91) was wound.

Example methods and systems for determining 3D scene geometry by projecting patterns of light onto a scene are provided. In an example method, a first projector may project a first random texture pattern having a first wavelength and a second projector may project a second random texture pattern having a second wavelength. A computing device may receive sensor data that is indicative of an environment as perceived from a first viewpoint of a first optical sensor and a second viewpoint of a second optical sensor. Based on the received sensor data, the computing device may determine corresponding features between sensor data associated with the first viewpoint and sensor data associated with the second viewpoint. And based on the determined corresponding features, the computing device may determine an output including a virtual representation of the environment that includes depth measurements indicative of distances to at least one object.

The device incorporates a mobile station with: a first shaft (6) to support a movable reel (4) and to actuate rotation of the movable reel (4) around the first shaft (6); gripping means (10) for gripping and releasing the movable reel (4) from a first side of the movable reel (4) closest to the first shaft (6); and transport means (15) to move the movable reel (4) in the direction of the first shaft (6) between the mobile station (1) and a loading position. The process handles one single reel (4) in each change, reducing labor and simplifying logistical management of reels (4). Likewise, the reels (4) are handled from one single side, the side closest to the first shaft (6). Therefore, space is freed up on the other side, providing more available space.

The device incorporates a mobile station with: a first shaft (6) to support a movable reel (4) and to actuate rotation of the movable reel (4) around the first shaft (6); gripping means (10) for gripping and releasing the movable reel (4) from a first side of the movable reel (4) closest to the first shaft (6); and transport means (15) to move the movable reel (4) in the direction of the first shaft (6) between the mobile station (1) and a loading position. The process handles one single reel (4) in each change, reducing labor and simplifying logistical management of reels (4). Likewise, the reels (4) are handled from one single side, the side closest to the first shaft (6). Therefore, space is freed up on the other side, providing more available space.

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 tube holder supports a spool of flexible line wrapped onto the outer surface of a tube. The tube holder comprises a body portion configured to support the tube thereon, such that the interior surface of the tube rests of the top surface of the body portion; and an end protector detachably secured to the distal end of the body portion via a quick-release, contact fastener. The end protector is configured to be detachably secured to the body portion, while remaining spaced away from the tube such that the tube does not interfere with connecting the end protector with the body portion.

A tube holder supports a spool of flexible line wrapped onto the outer surface of a tube. The tube holder comprises a body portion configured to support the tube thereon, such that the interior surface of the tube rests of the top surface of the body portion; and an end protector detachably secured to the distal end of the body portion via a quick-release, contact fastener. The end protector is configured to be detachably secured to the body portion, while remaining spaced away from the tube such that the tube does not interfere with connecting the end protector with the body portion.

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.

An end-of-arm tool and corresponding system and method for automated de-palletization of a stack of totes include resilient guide arms that extend outwardly in a cascading relationship, with the lower guide arm extending farther than higher arms. The cascading relationship of the guide arms enables totes in a stack to be engaged and aligned sequentially from lowest to highest.