The paper reviews electric-winder characteristics and winding practice with particular reference to the degree of control required for satisfactory automatic winding, and considers the shortcomings of equipments not fitted with means of effecting complete speed/load compensation and controlled electrical retardation.The degrees of automatic control are defined, together with those requirements of a winding engine which are essential to satisfactory control. How these requirements can be achieved with both Ward Leonard and a.c. equipments by incorporating the latest developments in control technique is suggested, and results of tests taken on automatic winders in France are quoted.Having reviewed the problems of control, the paper outlines automatic winding applications, showing how control can be effected for both skip and cage winding and the advantages to be derived.