a method for continuously processing a thread - like material with a plurality of method steps and a device for carrying out the method , wherein a feed mechanism , a treating and depositing device , a transporting device , a thermosetting mechanism and a length compensating mechanism are arranged in a common closed system and the closed system differs from the surroundings in its interior by at least one first physical property and sub - systems that are shielded from one another are present within the system for the various method steps , to which sub - systems supply mechanisms are connected , which produce at least partially different temperatures in the sub - systems as the second physical property .