Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a carding machine having a drum with a drum fitting and a plurality of card flats wherein each card flat is provided with a card flat fitting. A predetermined distance between the drum fitting and the card flat fittings is adjusted by conditioning the running surfaces of the card flats.

Abstract: A card clothing is mounted on a support and rotatable therewith about an axis. A grinding apparatus for the card clothing has an abrasive grinding element, a base juxtaposed with the card clothing, and an elastic biasing element for pressing the grinding element radially of the axis against the card clothing so that when the support and card clothing are rotating the element grinds the card clothing. The grinding element is displaceable radially outward away from the card clothing against a force of the biasing element from a grinding position engaging the card clothing to a rest position out of contact with the card clothing. The apparatus has a mechanism for withdrawing the grinding element against the force of the biasing element into the rest position and for retaining it in the rest position. An abutment is provided furthermore for defining a position of closest approach of the grinding element to the axis and hence, how much it will grind down the card clothing.