Method and apparatus for time-optimizing occurrence of work at individual operating positions of textile machines

An apparatus for time-optimization in the operation of a textile machine comprising:

• a predetermined number of yarn packages arranged at a predetermined number of working positions at each one of which a yarn is wound-up in a winding operation in order to produce an associated yarn package of a predetermined set yarn length;
• a working device travelling between said predetermined number of working positions for carrying out predetermined working operations at individual ones of said predetermined number of working positions;
• length measuring means determining the instantaneous length of the already wound-up yarn on each one of said predetermined number of yarn packages;
• a computer operatively associated with said length measuring means;
• said length measuring means generating signals corresponding to said instantaneous length of the already wound-up yarn on each one of said predetermined number of yarn packages and delivering said signals to said computer;
• indicating means emitting a signal indicating the momentary position of said working device and operatively associated with said computer;
• said computer registering the signals indicating said instantaneous yarn length and determining, at each one of said predetermined number of yarn packages, a predetermined remainder yarn length which completes the predetermined set yarn length;
• said computer determining, for a pre-selected number of said predetermined number of yarn packages at which said predetermined remainder yarn length has been determined and on the basis of said momentary position of said working device indicated by said signal emitted by said indicating means,
• (i) a working time required for said working device to perform said predetermined working operation at each one of said pre-selected number of yarn packages,
• (ii) a travelling time of said working device from said momentary position thereof to each one of a pre-selected number of working positions which correspond to the working positions of said pre-selected number of yarn packages,
• (iii) a remaining wind-up time required for winding-up the remaining yarn length of the predetermined set yarn length at each one of said pre-selected number of yarn packages;
• and
• said computer containing comparison means comparing said travelling times plus said working times of said working device at said pre-selected number of working positions, with said remaining wind-up times at each one of said pre-selected number of yarn packages and, as a result of such comparison, controllably guiding said working device from said momentary position thereof to said pre-selected number of working positions in a working sequence which results in a minimum total loss of yarn length or yarn quality, while said working operations are carried out at all of the pre-selected number of yarn packages.