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 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.

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.

A method for operating a textile machine with several identical workstations which each have a basic requirement for negative pressure for regular production operation and an additional requirement for negative pressure following an interruption to production at the workstation, and with a vacuum system with limited suction force to exert the negative pressure on the workstations. A minimum negative pressure (p.sub.min) is set and the number workstations simultaneously supplied with additional negative pressure is limited so that the minimum negative pressure (p.sub.min) is always met. In accordance with the invention, a sub-negative pressure (p.sub.sub) is specified which is below the minimum negative pressure (p.sub.min) and, if a specified event occurs, the number of workstations simultaneously supplied with additional negative pressure is temporarily limited so that the sub-negative pressure (p.sub.sub) is always met.

A method for operating a textile machine with several identical workstations which each have a basic requirement for negative pressure for regular production operation and an additional requirement for negative pressure following an interruption to production at the workstation, and with a vacuum system with limited suction force to exert the negative pressure on the workstations. A minimum negative pressure (p.sub.min) is set and the number workstations simultaneously supplied with additional negative pressure is limited so that the minimum negative pressure (p.sub.min) is always met. In accordance with the invention, a sub-negative pressure (p.sub.sub) is specified which is below the minimum negative pressure (p.sub.min) and, if a specified event occurs, the number of workstations simultaneously supplied with additional negative pressure is temporarily limited so that the sub-negative pressure (p.sub.sub) is always met.

A machine for winding suture into a suture tray package includes a base platform with package nests, each nest including upwardly-extending locating pins. A workstation places an empty tray onto one nest. Another workstation feeds a needle with attached suture in the tray and parks the needle in the tray. A winding station for winding the suture into a tray winding channel includes a rotatable winding head with configurable suture guiding pins, a stripper plate pushing the wound suture off the guiding pins, a suture control arm with proximal and distal ends and top and bottom sides, the distal end having a front standoff and a rear standoff incorporating a suture guiding channel, and a base member mounting the arm to base platform. A lid placement station places a lid onto a nest, a lid attachment station attaches lid to tray and an offloading station removes trays from nests.

A machine for winding suture into a suture tray package includes a base platform with package nests, each nest including upwardly-extending locating pins. A workstation places an empty tray onto one nest. Another workstation feeds a needle with attached suture in the tray and parks the needle in the tray. A winding station for winding the suture into a tray winding channel includes a rotatable winding head with configurable suture guiding pins, a stripper plate pushing the wound suture off the guiding pins, a suture control arm with proximal and distal ends and top and bottom sides, the distal end having a front standoff and a rear standoff incorporating a suture guiding channel, and a base member mounting the arm to base platform. A lid placement station places a lid onto a nest, a lid attachment station attaches lid to tray and an offloading station removes trays from nests.

A method and apparatus for removing optic fibers from multiple spools of optic fiber involving one or more rotating trees on which spools of optic fiber are seated, a transport passage and a rotating carousel. The free end of a fiber is pulled through the passage and attached to the rotating carousel such that the rotation of the carousel removes the rest of the fiber from the spool(s). The passage can be equipped with one or more rollers to reduce the friction between the fibers and the passage. The carousel may feature retractable rails to facilitate removing the fibers. The passage may also feature a blower and/or a venturi that provides suction to facilitate the movement of one or more fibers through the passage. A reciprocating tracking unit can be used to spread the fibers onto the carousel.

A method and apparatus for removing optic fibers from multiple spools of optic fiber involving one or more rotating trees on which spools of optic fiber are seated, a transport passage and a rotating carousel. The free end of a fiber is pulled through the passage and attached to the rotating carousel such that the rotation of the carousel removes the rest of the fiber from the spool(s). The passage can be equipped with one or more rollers to reduce the friction between the fibers and the passage. The carousel may feature retractable rails to facilitate removing the fibers. The passage may also feature a blower and/or a venturi that provides suction to facilitate the movement of one or more fibers through the passage. A reciprocating tracking unit can be used to spread the fibers onto the carousel.