PURPOSE: To provide a combing machine so working as to subject the axial orientation of a spring foot to shift control so as to always represent a specified function relative to the instantaneous orientation of an undernipper frame being in reciprocating motion to avoid shaft abrasion and properly open/close a nipper unit.

CONSTITUTION: This combing machine works as follows: an overnipper arm 10 turnably linked to an undernipper frame 6 being in reciprocating motion by the swing rotating action of a drive shaft 4 is swung about an axis A and pivoted on a spring foot 12 subject to opening/closing motion between an overnipper frame 9 and the undernipper frame 6, and the axis A is made shiftable via an eccentric body 17 by the aid of an electric motor 16; the position of a circular comb shaft 1 or the drive shaft 4 is sensed by a sensor 23, and by a control unit 22 which received the resultant signal from the sensor 23, the electric motor 16 is periodically subjected to actuation control with predetermined timing so that the instantaneous orientation of the axis A always represent a specified functional relationship with that of the undernipper frame 6.