Abstract: The present invention compact creel using the OETO method that accommodates an increased number of packages in a relatively small footprint while providing a straight in-line delivery path in which fiber bends and changes in direction are minimized. In addition, the present invention is a system, apparatus and method for tension control in a fiber feeding system that provides a fast and reliable method for feeding high tack elastomeric thread or fiber from a package to a manufacturing process. Furthermore, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for changing packages on a creel without interrupting the manufacturing process. In particular, the compact creel of the present invention provides for continuous operation of unwinding and fiber delivery by allowing a standby package to be loaded on the same mandrel as an active package that is presently being unwound.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for tension control in a thread feeding system that provides a fast and reliable method for feeding high tack elastomeric thread or fiber from a package to a thread processing system. A drive and tension control apparatus at least one of increments, maintains or decrements the speed of a driven take-off roll when the tension is out of a predetermined range of operation. A tension controller devices measures tension and determines whether the average tension for the moving threads is out-of-range relative to the predetermined tension values for the threads. Alarms and other indicators may also be used to determine the threads are at least one of broken, not moving and out-of-range for tension control.