Abstract: A method of and apparatus for reducing the thickness of (or skiving) regions of sheet material workpieces, e.g. shoe upper components, involves feeding a workpiece 14 to a band knife (4) and, in advance of said knife, applying pressure to the workpiece 14, using a row of pressure-applying elements (18) to deform a region of the workpiece in relation to the cutting plane (20) of the knife. By controlling the elements (18) to operate in successive sequences of combinations, regions of the workpiece (14) are successively skived as the workpiece (14) passes the knife (4). The operation of the elements (18) is controlled by a computer (CPU), having a memory in which workpiece information data, relating to certain workpiece parameters, as well as in accordance with shape, positional and orientational data is stored. Such data may be generated using optical recognition workpiece means (100,120,140,160).

Abstract: A workpiece is supported by work support means (40; 40'; 40"; 44'; 142, 144) for movement in a first direction by co-operating workpiece clamping and feeding means (46; 142, 144), both said means being supported on a carriage (16) for movement in a second direction normal to the first to move a workpiece relative to a sewing machine head. Both of said means are arranged on both sides of an elongated aperture (42) extending in the second direction in alignment with a needle penetration point (N). Stepping motors (24; 60) are provided for moving the carriage (16) and operating the workpiece clamping and feeding means (46; 142, 144) under programmed control. A camera (70) is also provided aligned with the aperture 42, for detecting the peripheral outline of a workpiece fed therebeneath.

Abstract: For accurately positioning a shoe upper on its last preliminarily to a pulling over and toe lasting operation, the machine comprises an optical scanning system (20) by which, in cooperation with a central processor unit (22), coordinate axis values can be determined for selected portions of the topline region of the shoe upper (the "actual" values) and be compared with a set of taught data relevant to the shoe style, such taught data representing the positions in which the selected portions of the topline region of the shoe upper are to be located (the "should be" values), the central processor unit (22) comparing the actual and "should be" values and supplying correction signals to motors (16) associated one with each of the pincers (10, 12) whereby the shoe upper is selectively tensioned in order to achieve the desired location of the topline region of the shoe upper on its last.

Abstract: An optical system and method for digitizing a last or other irregularly shaped article comprises a laser device fixed on a base directing a light beam at a last supported for rotation about an axis, perpendicular to which the light beam is directed. Two cameras are fixed to the base, one at each side of the laser device, and each comprises an array of cells for detecting the point of incidence of the light beam on the last surface. As the last is rotated, the point of incidence varies in relation to a datum, e.g. the axis of rotation, and the point maximum intensity of illumination on the array of cells will vary across the array accordingly. By a correlating technique, the distance of the point of incidence from the datum can be determined according to the point of maximum intensity of the array.

Abstract: A system for identifying workpieces by scanning them and "reading" details of their configuration is adapted for applying a desired pattern of material in liquid form (e.g. ink) or in powder form (e.g. toner material or a hot melt adhesive) to the workpieces regardless of their location and orientation on a workpiece support (18, 118). This is achieved by the pattern data (relating to the desired pattern) selected from a store being modified in accordance with positional data (relating to the location and orientation obtained during scanning FIG. 2). When the applied material is liquid and dispensed from such as a suitable tool such as a pen (152) or other liquid applicator. When the ink is in powder form, a suitable tool is an electrostatic printer (36) e.g. an ionographic printer.

Abstract: For determining a path of movement of a tool along shoe bottom marginal portions a series of points along such path is selected and information regarding such points stored in the form of digitized co-ordinate axis values by a computer, from which information the path can subsequently be derived. The selected points are spaced by a predetermined distance (which may be the same for each pair of adjacent points) regardless of shoe bottom contour. To this end, when each point is digitized, the tool and shoe bottom are relatively moved apart by the predetermined distance along a first axis, extending heightwise of the shoe bottom. Thereafter in returning the tool and shoe bottom into engagement along said one dimension under operator control, appropriate compensating movement also takes place automatically along a lengthwise axis and/or along widthwise axis.

Abstract: Machine for performing a progressive roughing operation on shoe bottoms has a three-axis computer controlled stepping motor arrangement for moving two rotary radial roughing tools along a pre-determined path in relation to the shoe bottom being operated upon. The tools are also mounted on a common sub-frame for pivotal movement about a transverse axis which extends tangential to the shoe bottom engaging portion of the operating surface of the tools, again by computer-controlled stepping motor. Grinding stones are provided for grinding the tools, and a further stepping motor operates to move the tools relative to the sub-frame to maintain the shoe bottom engaging region of the operating surface of each tool in the datum plane in which said transverse axis lies.

Abstract: A control system for a shoe upper conforming machine, more especially a pulling over and toe lasting machine, includes a computer control which supplies control signals sequentially, according to a programmed instruction, to actuating means for the various operating elements of the machine. In particular, the release of the grippers is controlled in relation to the movement of the wiper means.Furthermore, the power supply to the actuating means for effecting gripping and pulling is independent of that for the actuating means for wiping over and securing the lasting margin to the insole, the arrangement being such that the power supply to the latter is operatively connected only after the operation of the former is completed.