Automatic tail forming apparatus and method

In a method for starting a running length of yarn to wind at a given point on a flanged bobbin during yarn stringup of a vertical spindle winder so as to form a transfer tail of yarn, said winder comprising a flanged bobbin, a thrustable string-up aid, a pin at the outer edge of the outer face of the flange of said bobbin, and a vertically movable yarn guide which, during operation of said winder, oscillates for the full traverse of the winding yarn and determines the position of the yarn winding on the bobbin, said thrustable string-up aid being movable from an inoperative tail forming position to an operative tail forming position, said method comprising engaging said yarn with said movable yarn guide and said string-up aid in an inoperative tail forming position and, with said winder in operation, moving said string-up aid to an operative tail forming position, thereby bringing said yarn into contact with said pin to bring about winding of the yarn on the bobbin, the improvement comprising sensing the presence of said movable yarn guide at a predetermined location and moving said string-up aid to said operative tail forming position when said movable yarn guide is at said predetermined location, thereby causing said yarn to begin winding at said given point.