Abstract: For controlling a rotary drive of a turntable which supports at least one bobbin spindle of a bobbin winding machine, a diameter of the bobbin package is calculated by forming a quotient from a product of a speed of rotation of a contact roller and a diameter of the contact roller in respect to a speed of rotation of the bobbin spindle which supports the bobbin package, the angular position of the bobbin spindle supporting the bobbin package on its circle of rotation is determined, in which the circumference of the bobbin package is in circumferential contact with the contact roller, from the calculated diameter of the bobbin package, and the rotary drive of the turntable is controlled so that the bobbin spindle supporting the bobbin package assumes the calculated angular position on its circle of rotation.