COMBING MACHINE

The invention relates to a combing machine (1) having at least one combing unit (X1-X16) for combing out fiber material (Z) supplied to the combing unit in a direction of conveyance (F), wherein the combing unit has a gripper unit (10) with a lower gripper plate (2) and an upper gripper plate (3) mounted so that it is movable relative to the lower gripper plate, and the lower gripper plate (2) has on its top side a feed trough (19) with an upstream feed area (ZF), wherein a rotatably mounted feed cylinder (9) protrudes into the feed trough, the fiber material (Z), which is connected to the feed trough, being supplied to a gripper lip (5) mounted on the front end of the lower gripper plate (2). To improve the accessibility to the top side of the lower gripper plate and the combing cylinder mounted rotatably beneath the gripper, it is provided that a rear guide area (HF) is adjacent to the feed area (ZF) to the feed trough (19)-in a direction opposite the direction of conveyance (F) of the fiber material (Z)-wherein the feed area (ZF) and the rear guide area (HF) from an obtuse angle β, and the rear guide area (HF)-as seen in the direction of conveyance (F) of the fiber material (Z)-runs with a falling inclination at an angle α≧35° to a horizontal plane (E).