Abstract: The apparatus comprises a pulling over and toe lasting machine and a side and heel seat lasting machine. The pulling over and toe lasting machine comprises two linear potentiometers (102, 104) for monitoring the movement of the heel rest (26) both lengthwise and heightwise of a shoe, a left/right sensor (PrS2) and a proximity switch (PrS1) which senses when the wiper plates (20) reach a predetermined position in their inwiping movement and causes output value information from the potentiometers (102, 104) and left/right sensor (PrS2) to be "read". The side and heel seat lasting machine comprises two side lasting assemblies (36) tiltable in a direction lengthwise of the shoe, to accommodate to the spring of the last, and two adhesive-applying nozzles (40) arranged to track along opposite portions of the shoe. A further linear potentiometer (146) monitors the nozzle movement, and stepping motors (66) are provided for effecting tilting movement of the assemblies (36).

Abstract: The machine comprises a shoe support (10) and two side lasting instrumentalities (20), each of which comprises a fluid bag assembly (40) which, in a tilted position (determined by an abutment 44), is moved into engagement with a shoe, whereafter, by continued inward movement, the bag assemblies (40) are caused to pivot (or roll) upwardly and over the shoe bottom edge, thus to urge the shoe upper around the feather edge of the last and against the insole. The bag assemblies are inflatable, a higher air pressure being applied, so as to apply bedding pressure to the lasting margin, after the assemblies (40) have moved fully inwardly.

Abstract: In a thermo-cementing and folding machine, a gear pump operates to supply adhesive at a rate which is dependent upon the speed of rotation of a main drive shaft, by which workpiece feeding means of the machine is driven. The machine has also a facility for varying the rate of feed of a workpiece by the workpiece feeding means without varying the speed of rotation of the main drive shaft. The ratio of the rotational speed of the shaft to the operating rate of the pump is varied in response to variation of the workpiece feed rate. This arrangement is achieved by computer control, the gear pump being driven by a stepping motor for this purpose. In addition, at the end of each work cycle, use of a stepping motor facilitates "suck back" of adhesive, and a "fast forward" adhesive upon initiation of the next work cycle.

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: A computer-controlled machine for progressively roughing marginal portions of shoe bottoms comprises a tool carrier on which two rotary roughing brushes (168) are carried side-by-side, and a shoe support (18) between which and the tool carrier relative movement takes place lengthwise, widthwise and heightwise of the shoe bottom. Each tool (168) is mounted so as to "float" heightwise in relation to the tool carrier, resilient means (175) being provided for urging each tool independently downwardly towards the shoe support (18). In this way the pressure applied by each tool to the shoe bottom in the operation of the machine can be controlled and/or regulated. For effecting relative movement between tool carrier and shoe support, numerically controlled motors are provided, operating in response to a programmed instruction. Such instruction can be made using the machine in a path-determining mode.

Abstract: Apparatus for the combined marginal roughing and toe scouring of shoe bottoms has a shoe support movable in an arcuate path past marginal roughing tools and a scouring tool, the roughing tools being movable widthwise and heightwise of the shoe bottom, and the scouring tool heightwise. All the movements are under the control of n.c. motors. The scouring tool thus follows a pre-determined path, giving enhanced control of the degree of scouring. To assist in accuracy, the shoe support has height datum means which, after use and subsequent to toe support means being locked in adjusted position, are moved out of the way so as not to impede the roughing and scouring.