Abstract: Manufacturing of a shoe or a portion of a shoe is enhanced by executing various shoe-manufacturing processes in an automated manner. For example, shoe parts may be retrieved and temporarily assembled according to preset relative positions to form part stacks. The part stacks may be retrieved with the relative positioning of the shoe parts being maintained and placed at a stitching machine for more permanent attachment via stitching of the parts to form a shoe assembly. Movement during stitching of a conveyance mechanism that transfers the part stack from the stacking surface to the stitching machine and movement of a needle associated with the stitching machine may be controlled by a shared control mechanism such that the movements are synchronized with respect to one another. Vision systems may be leveraged to achieve movement and position information between and at machines and locations.

Abstract: Cast polyurethane parts for shoes or other items may be formed in an automated fashion. A dispensing mechanism may dispense a predetermined amount of a liquid phase polyurethane mixture onto a flat surface face of a mold. A dispersal mechanism may distribute the liquid phase polyurethane mixture over the flat surface face of the mold to fill at least one cavity in the form. A vacuum may be applied to remove air bubbles from the liquid phase polyurethane mixture. Excess liquid phase polyurethane mixture may be removed from the flat surface face of the mold using a flexible blade that contacts and moves across the flat surface face. One or more conveyance mechanism may transport molds through the desired stages of a system and/or method in accordance with the present invention.

Abstract: Manufacturing of a shoe or a portion of a shoe is enhanced by executing various shoe-manufacturing processes in an automated manner. For example, shoe parts may be retrieved and temporarily assembled according to preset relative positions to form part stacks. The part stacks may be retrieved with the relative positioning of the shoe parts being maintained and placed at a stitching machine for more permanent attachment via stitching of the parts to form a shoe assembly. Movement during stitching of a conveyance mechanism that transfers the part stack from the stacking surface to the stitching machine and movement of a needle associated with the stitching machine may be controlled by a shared control mechanism such that the movements are synchronized with respect to one another. Vision systems may be leveraged to achieve movement and position information between and at machines and locations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the automated cutting of pliable items. More particularly, the present invention relates to the automatic cutting and/or trimming of pliable items, such as a shoe upper that lacks uniformity. An image of the pliable item is captured having image features and a pattern is retrieved having pattern features, such as a proposed cut path. An image feature is compared to distance tolerances associated with pattern features to adjust the proposed cut path such that it satisfies the distance tolerances while providing a consistently sized and shaped trimmed item.

Abstract: Cast polyurethane parts for shoes or other items may be formed in an automated fashion. A dispensing mechanism may dispense a predetermined amount of a liquid phase polyurethane mixture onto a flat surface face of a mold. A dispersal mechanism may distribute the liquid phase polyurethane mixture over the flat surface face of the mold to fill at least one cavity in the form. A vacuum may be applied to remove air bubbles from the liquid phase polyurethane mixture. Excess liquid phase polyurethane mixture may be removed from the flat surface face of the mold using a flexible blade that contacts and moves across the flat surface face. One or more conveyance mechanism may transport molds through the desired stages of a system and/or method in accordance with the present invention.

Abstract: Cast polyurethane parts for shoes or other items may be formed in an automated fashion. A dispensing mechanism may dispense a predetermined amount of a liquid phase polyurethane mixture onto a flat surface face of a mold. A dispersal mechanism may distribute the liquid phase polyurethane mixture over the flat surface face of the mold to fill at least one cavity in the form. A vacuum may be applied to remove air bubbles from the liquid phase polyurethane mixture. Excess liquid phase polyurethane mixture may be removed from the flat surface face of the mold using a flexible blade that contacts and moves across the flat surface face. One or more conveyance mechanism may transport molds through the desired stages of a system and/or method in accordance with the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the automated cutting of pliable items. More particularly, the present invention relates to the automatic cutting and/or trimming of pliable items, such as a shoe upper that lacks uniformity. An image of the pliable item is captured having image features and a pattern is retrieved having pattern features, such as a proposed cut path. An image feature is compared to distance tolerances associated with pattern features to adjust the proposed cut path such that it satisfies the distance tolerances while providing a consistently sized and shaped trimmed item.

Abstract: Cast polyurethane parts for shoes or other items may be formed in an automated fashion. A dispensing mechanism may dispense a predetermined amount of a liquid phase polyurethane mixture onto a flat surface face of a mold. A dispersal mechanism may distribute the liquid phase polyurethane mixture over the flat surface face of the mold to fill at least one cavity in the form. A vacuum may be applied to remove air bubbles from the liquid phase polyurethane mixture. Excess liquid phase polyurethane mixture may be removed from the flat surface face of the mold using a flexible blade that contacts and moves across the flat surface face. One or more conveyance mechanism may transport molds through the desired stages of a system and/or method in accordance with the present invention.