AUTOMATIC STITCHING OF FOOTWEAR PARTS

Abstract

A method and a system for manufacturing footwear. The footwear including at least two footwear parts. The footwear parts are at least partly connected together by stitching for forming at least part of an upper part of the footwear. The method includes providing a base layer and providing the at least two footwear parts. The at least two footwear parts are positioned on the base layer. The at least two footwear parts are fixated on the base layer in respective relative positions corresponding to predefined connected positions. The at least two footwear parts are connected with each other by an automated stitching. The at least two footwear parts in connected form to provide the footwear.

Description

The invention relates to a method of manufacturing footwear, said footwear comprising at least two footwear parts, e.g. shoe parts, which footwear parts are at least partly connected together by stitching for forming at least part of an upper part of said footwear.

The invention furthermore relates to a system for manufacturing footwear, said footwear comprising at least two footwear parts, e.g. shoe parts, which footwear parts are at least partly connected together by stitching for forming at least part of an upper part of said footwear.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior art methods and systems for manufacturing footwear rely to a large degree on manual handling of e.g. footwear parts, including manual handling of footwear parts when these are positioned prior to being connected by stitching and including manual operation in connection with stitching, etc. In the prior art, custom made jigs have been used, e.g. for fixating footwear parts after they have been manually positioned. However, such prior art systems require a multitude of various custom-made jigs to be made and to be made available at the manufacturing facility, which may increase manufacturing costs. Also, it is noted that such methods are still relatively labour intensive. Thus, it is desired to reduce the rate of manual labour in connection with manufacture of footwear.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a method of manufacturing footwear, said footwear comprising at least two footwear parts, e.g. shoe parts, which footwear parts are at least partly connected together by stitching for forming at least part of an upper part of said footwear, said method comprising

• • providing a base layer,
  • providing said at least two footwear parts and positioning said at least two footwear parts on said base layer,
  • fixating said at least two footwear parts on said base layer in respective relative positions corresponding to predefined connected positions,
  • connecting said at least two footwear parts with each other by an automated stitching, and
  • further processing the at least two footwear parts in connected form to provide said footwear.

Hereby, the manufacturing of footwear may be improved as regards cost-efficiency and production speed, for example since the manufacturing may take place in a highly or at least partly automated manner and since the base layer may serve as a means of accommodating the footwear parts in individual form as well as in the processed connected form after being stitched. Thus, the base layer may also serve as a means for handling the footwear parts, the connected footwear parts and/or other assemblies of footwear parts and may serve as a means for transport, e.g. along a process line, from one processing step to the next, etc. Thus, manual handling may be reduced or possibly totally avoided for a large number of process steps, e.g. since the base layer with or without the positioned and/or processed parts may be serve as a work base as well as transport means.

According to an embodiment, the base layer may be a uniform sheet or layer of material, e.g. wherein the base layer may be continuous along at least a part of the length and a least a part of the width of the base layer and having essentially uniform characteristics.

According to an embodiment, the base layer may be a uniform sheet or layer of material, e.g. wherein the base layer may be continuous along the length and the width of the base layer and having essentially uniform characteristics.

According to advantageous embodiments, the at least two footwear parts that are being fixated and later e.g. stitched together and/or to the base layer may for example be

a toe cap and a vamp,
a vamp and a tongue,
a vamp and a quarter,
a quarter and an outer counter,
a facing and a quarter.

Thus, the method according to these embodiments may involve that any such combination of footwear parts is provided and positioned on the base layer in accordance with the invention. It will be understood that the order, in which the at least two footwear parts are provided and positioned may be arbitrary but may customarily depend on the actual footwear construction and/or design. Thus, in case the specific combination of footwear parts is a vamp and a tongue, the vamp may be positioned as the first out of the at least two and the tongue as the second footwear part, but the order of positioning these two footwear parts may be reversed.

Furthermore, it will be understood that other combinations than the above-mentioned may be selected as the at least two footwear parts to be provided and positioned, etc. in accordance with specific embodiments of the invention.

Even further, it is noted that the at least two footwear parts may be positioned and subsequently fixated on the base layer with the side of each of the at least two footwear parts that normally will be facing the inner of the completed footwear facing the base layer. Other variations are possible, e.g. with one of the at least two footwear parts being reversed.

According to the invention, advantages may be achieved due to automation, e.g. as regards cost-efficiency, production speed, etc. as mentioned above. In particular, the automation may be effected due to the automated stitching, which may be provided by an automated stitching device, e.g. a motor driven stitching device, which furthermore may perform the stitching in an at least partly automatically controlled manner, which may be applied in a multitude of ways. For example, the stitching device may perform the stitching in accordance with a predefined route, defined in relation to the positions and/or orientation of the at least two footwear parts that have been fixated on the base layer. Thus, a stitching route or routes may be defined in e.g. an X-Y system on the base layer and implemented by the stitching device. Another possibility is that the automated stitching device is configured to stitch along a route, which has been indicated on at least one of the at least two footwear parts, e.g. with a visible marking, which may be followed by the stitching device, which may receive input data from an e.g. vision device, which may be combined with the stitching device or may be an independent device. Such a marking may instead be invisible, e.g. an electronical or magnetic trail, a radiation trail, etc. which may require corresponding sensing devices to control the stitching device. Also, it may be a possibility that the stitching device may be controlled to follow an edge of one of the at least two footwear parts and stitch in a predetermined distance to the relevant footwear part, in which case input data may be provided by vision equipment or other means of detecting and/or following e.g. an edge part. Other options for controlling or guiding the automated stitching are possible. Also, it may be a possibility that such options may be combined, for example in case a stitching route is defined as a route in relation to an X-Y system on the base layer, where furthermore it may be supplemented with a guiding system, for example using a vision system to effect a predefined distance to an edge of one of the footwear parts and/or which ensures that the stitching is started and/or stopped, when e.g. the at least two footwear parts are not overlapping.

According to advantageous embodiments, the method may be automated in other manners. For example, the base layer may be provided in an automated manner, for example being delivered by a denesting device or a similar arrangement, whereby the base layers from e.g. a stack are being delivered one by one and for example put onto a conveyor system or the like. Robotic delivering means may also be utilized for providing the base layers.

As regards the step of providing the at least two footwear parts and positioning these various manners of automating these may be utilized, including the use of robotic means, e.g. robots that may grip the footwear parts by e.g. vacuum grippers and place these on the base layer, controlled by a controller that further receives input as regards the position of the footwear part e.g. above the base layer. In this connection it is noted that in case robotic vacuum grippers are used, these may be equipped with a plurality of relatively small suctions cups or the like, e.g. arranged in an array corresponding to e.g. the size of footwear parts to be gripped. The individual suction cups or the like may be individually supplied with vacuum. Additionally, it is noted that a further axis of the vacuum gripper robot may be implemented by having the active suctions cups or the like, e.g. the suction cups actually gripping a footwear part, be controlled to be extended or in another configuration by having the inactive suction cups be controlled to be retracted, when gripping, positioning and/or moving etc. a footwear part. Hereby, a number of advantages may be achieved, e.g. that the inactive suctions cups or the like that are actually not involved in gripping a footwear part, will not be near or will at least be positioned a distance from the footwear part, thus making it easier to maneuver the vacuum gripper and/or the gripped footwear part, e.g. because the inactive suctions cups or the like are less likely to collide with other objects, for example a fixture for the base layer, conveyor parts or other parts involved in the processing. Hence, the robotic vacuum gripper may, when implemented in such a manner with a further axis, be used with greater delicacy, with greater precision and in general with greater degrees of freedom as regards e.g. the ability to turn or in general angularly maneuver a footwear part, position a footwear part near a frame or fixture for the base layer, utilize the available base layer area to a greater extent, etc. Other automation means are possible in this regard.

Further, as regards the fixating of the at least two footwear parts on the base layer, various manners of automating this will be available as it has been exemplified herein. Thus, automation may be implemented in connection with application of adhesives, e.g. automated application in certain areas, etc., activation of applied adhesives, etc., where automated devices may be utilized.

Even further, it should be noted that in connection with the further processing of the at least two footwear parts in connected form to provide a completed piece of footwear numerous automation steps and automation means may be presented as it has been exemplified in the present application.

According to an embodiment of the invention, at least one of said at least two footwear parts may be a leather footwear part.

In an embodiment of the invention, the method may further comprise the step of providing a fixture for said base layer and may comprise the step of arranging the base layer to be held by said fixture.

Hereby, the base layer, when held by such a fixture, may provide improved characteristics as regards e.g. strength, rigidity, load bearing capability, precision as regards positioning of e.g. footwear parts on it, etc. since the fixture may serve as a rigid frame or the like, by means of which the base layer may be e.g. tightened, for example to provide a planar surface, on which the e.g. footwear parts may be positioned with great precision. Furthermore, the fixture may facilitate the e.g. handling and/or transport of the base layer, with or without parts positioned on it.

In an embodiment of the invention a reference may be provided for positioning said at least two footwear parts on said base layer.

Hereby, the positioning of the at least two footwear parts is supported, for example in case the position and/or orientation of the at least two footwear parts is based on distances from the reference, coordinates based on a reference coordinate system, etc. The reference may be a visual reference, which may be utilized when manually positioning the at least two footwear parts and/or which may also be utilized when positioning the at least two footwear parts in an automated manner, e.g. using a robotic unit that may have vision means to enable the placing. The reference may instead be based on other means such as electronic means, magnetic means, radiation means of various kinds, etc, as it will be apparent to a person skilled within the art of automation and related fields.

According to an embodiment of the invention, said reference may be provided by the base layer and/or said fixture for the base layer.

Hereby, the reference may be provided in advantageous manners, e.g. combined and/or incorporated with the base layer, e.g. embedded in or placed on the base layer material for example as a visual coordinate system or as an electronic device indicating origin and direction to be used by e.g. a robot. Similar applies when the reference is provided by the fixture, but where e.g. a rectangular frame may serve to provide the reference, for example with one inner corner providing the origin and the corresponding two frame parts providing x- and y-axes that may be detected using visual means or other means, e.g. in case one or more detectable objects have been embedded in the frame, which for example may be made from epoxy or other synthetic materials, e.g. glass fibre reinforced epoxy or similar materials. Further, it is noted that since the fixture preferably is reusable, a reference provided by the fixture may be technically more advanced, which relates to the reference means itself as well as the detector or sensing means that for example provides control input to e.g. a robotic apparatus for placing the parts.

According to an embodiment of the invention, said step of fixating said at least two footwear parts on said base layer in respective positions may comprise adhering the at least two shoe parts on said base layer with an adhesive.

Hereby, it may be achieved that the at least two footwear parts may not be accidentally moved from the intended position(s) and may remain there until having been connected by the automated stitching. Such unintended moving of the at least two footwear parts might otherwise happen when the base layer or the fixture is being transported from one process step to the next and in particular when the base layer and the at least two footwear parts has to the stitched by an automatic stitching apparatus.

According to an embodiment of the invention, said adhesive may be provided as a non-activated adhesive on said base layer, which is activated when fixating the at least two footwear parts on the base layer.

Hereby, it is achieved that the at least two footwear parts may be adhered to the base layer in a relatively uncomplicated manner, when the footwear parts have been positioned, at which point in time the adhering may be established by activating the adhesive, which may be done in various manners. It is noted that in case one of the two at least two footwear parts is overlapping the other and it is intended to fixate these two at e.g. the overlap as well, the overlap part of at least one of the at least two footwear parts may have been applied with adhesive in advance or in connection with the positioning of the footwear parts. When the non-activated adhesive of the base layer is activated, the adhesive of the overlap part(s) may be activated at the same time.

In an embodiment of the invention, said non-activated adhesive on said base layer may be activated using friction, pressure, ultrasonic radiation, infrared radiation, heat transfer or any combination hereof.

Heat transfer may be applied by heat conducting or heat conduction.

The non-activated adhesive is defined as an adhesive that has not yet been activated.

Adhesives may be non-reactive glue e.g. hot-melt adhesives including thermo-polymer, polyamide, polyesters, polyurethane, polyolefins etc.

Hot melt glues may consist of one base material with various additives. The composition is usually formulated to have a glass transition temperature (onset of brittleness) and a suitable high melt temperature as well.

The hot-melt adhesive may have a Tg (Tg: Glass transition temperature) between 50 degrees Celsius and 200 degrees Celsius, such as between 100 degrees Celsius and 200 degrees Celsius, such as between 110 degrees Celsius and 200 degrees Celsius, such as between 120 degrees Celsius and 200 degrees Celsius, such as between 100 degrees Celsius and 180 degrees Celsius, such as between 100 degrees Celsius and 170 degrees Celsius.

An advantage of applying heat to the process is that it is possible to control the adherence of adhesive to leather. The temperature is raised as the adhesive is applied to the leather and/or base layer as e.g. a web and needs to be heated in order to melt and facilitate a strong mutual bonding between the leather pieces/layers.

The pressure P applied may be at least 2 bar, such as at least 3 bar, such as at least 4 bar, such as at least 5 bars. Pressure should be below a pressure where the leather is damaged or where the bonding is not performed according to intentions. An upper pressure could e.g. be 15 bar.

An advantage of applying pressure to the leather during heating of the leather is that the temperature of the leather may be lower than if not applying pressure. The lower temperature is an advantage as the leather may not be burned and it will further keep the leather in the right shape with a minimum of shrinkage. If the temperature is too high, the leather may lose its moisture and therefore turn hard and wavy and thereby loose the flexibility and softness of the leather.

According to an embodiment of the invention, leather layers comprising said non-activated adhesive may have a water vapor permeability of above 5 mg/cm2/hour, such as above 8 mg/cm2/hour, such as above 10 mg/cm2/hour.

Hereby, the material allows liquid water (perspiration) to transport away from the skin to the outside, thus allowing comprehensive comfort to the wearer. Breathability and water vapor permeability may be used interchangeably and may be evaluated by suitable methods for determining water vapor permeability of leather. Standard methods such as SATRA™ 172 may be used to test the water vapor permeability. Briefly, the measurement may be of a test piece of material fixed over the opening of ajar. Mass of the moisture passing through the test piece in the jar is weighted and water vapor permeability can be calculated.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the positioning of said at least two footwear parts on said base layer may be performed by a robotic pick and place apparatus, e.g. by sequentially picking each shoe part and placing it on the base layer at a predefined position and possibly with a predefined orientation.

Hereby, it is achieved that when an empty base layer has been provided, possibly held by a fixture, the robotic pick and place apparatus may, controlled by control software of an e.g. central or local control unit, pick a first one of the at least two footwear parts from e.g. a local store and place it on the base layer, possibly at a predetermined position and possibly with a predetermined orientation. Subsequently, the robotic pick and place apparatus may, controlled by the control software, pick a second one of the at least two footwear parts from e.g. a local store and place it on the base layer, possibly at a predetermined position and/or with predetermined orientation or possibly at a predetermined position and/or with a predetermined orientation in relation to the first footwear part. In case more than two footwear parts have to be placed, these steps may be repeated.

It is noted that the footwear parts may be supplied to the robotic pick and place apparatus in the order, in which they have to be placed and that they in this manner are being identified to the robotic pick and place apparatus. It is also a possibility that the individual types of footwear parts are stored in individual e.g. store compartments, known to the control system and that the robotic pick and place apparatus in this manner may be controlled to pick the right footwear parts in the right order. A still other possibility is that the individual types of footwear parts are provided with identifications, e.g. numbers, bar codes, RFID devices, etc. that are readable by the robotic pick and place apparatus and that the robotic pick and place apparatus in this manner identifies the correct footwear part to be picked, e.g. the correct type, the right size, the right colour, left or right type, etc.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the at least two footwear parts may be stacked on the base layer and/or a plurality of said base layers may be stacked.

Hereby, improvements may be achieved as regards efficiency. For example, it is noted that empty fixture frames may advantageously be stacked, whereby the job of mounting a base layer in each of these may be facilitated, and that the such prepared fixture frames may also be stacked, ready to be added to e.g. an input of the manufacturing line. In a similar manner, the fixture frames that have travelled through the processing may be stacked, e.g. after being relieved of surplus base layer material, etc. and be made ready to be re-introduced in the manufacturing liner.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the positioning of said at least two footwear parts on said base layer may be performed using input from a visual detection system, e.g. using a camera, a vision system or the like.

Hereby, it is achieved that the positioning of the first as well as the subsequent footwear parts may be placed optimally as well as efficiently, e.g. using not only a possible reference and/or a fixture frame as reference, when placing the first footwear part, but also using an already placed footwear part, when placing a subsequent footwear part, so that e.g. a possible overlap between the parts will have an optimal size in view of e.g. a stitching seam or the like and whereby the finished product may have the required characteristics as regards e.g. strength as well as appearance.

According to an embodiment of the invention, said automated stitching may be made by an automated stitching device.

Hereby, it is achieved that the connection of the footwear parts may be made relatively quickly, efficiently and with the required precision, which in the prior art has not been possible, since an automated stitching of footwear parts, e.g. leather footwear parts has proven to be difficult to exercise and has turned out to have certain deficiencies, such as lack of precision, ill-fitting parts, etc. However, in connection with the invention, where a base layer is used and where the at least two footwear parts are fixated to this base layer, it has been shown that an automated stitching using an automated stitching device may be performed due to the footwear parts being fixated in the intended positions and whereby the desired quality and appearance of the completed footwear may be achieved.

It is noted that in connection with the automated stitching of the at least two footwear parts, of which at least one of these and possibly both may be a leather footwear part, the respective footwear parts may be positioned and fixated on the base layer such that considerations are made as regards possible shifting of the overlapping leather parts that may happen, when stitching, due to the thickness and inherent characteristics such as flexibility of the leather material. Thus, when determining, e.g. by control software and by a control system, the respective positions for the at least two footwear parts, adjustments may be made to anticipate any movements of the leather parts that may happen during the automated stitching, such that the finished result may come out as originally intended. In the prior art, such stitching is usually made manually by experienced persons, who during the machine stitching may make e.g. small adjustments and corrections to achieve a satisfactory result in spite of the movements of the leather material. According to this embodiment of the invention, initial adjustments may be made to anticipate such movements, whereby an automated stitching may be made of the at least two footwear parts that are fixated to the base layer.

It should be noted that an automated stitching device in this connection will be understood as being an e.g. motor driven stitching device, which furthermore may perform the stitching in an at least partly automatically controlled manner. The at least partly automatic control may be applied in a multitude of ways. For example, the stitching device may perform the stitching in accordance with a predefined route, defined in relation to the positions and/or orientation of the at least two footwear parts that have been fixated on the base layer. Thus, a stitching route or routes may be defined in e.g. an X-Y system on the base layer and implemented by the stitching device. Another possibility is that the automated stitching device is configured to stitch along a route, which has been indicated on at least one of the at least two footwear parts, e.g. with a visible marking, which may be followed by the stitching device, which may receive input data from an e.g. vision device, which may be combined with the stitching device or may be an independent device. Such a marking may instead be invisible, e.g. an electronical or magnetic trail, a radiation trail, etc. which may require corresponding sensing devices to control the stitching device. Also, it may be a possibility that the stitching device may be controlled to follow an edge of one of the at least two footwear parts and stitch in a predetermined distance to the relevant footwear part, in which case input data may be provided by vision equipment or other means of detecting and/or following e.g. an edge part. Other options for controlling or guiding the automated stitching are possible. Also, it may be a possibility that such options may be combined, for example in case a stitching route is defined as a route in relation to an X-Y system on the base layer, where furthermore it may be supplemented with a guiding system, for example using a vision system to effect a predefined distance to an edge of one of the footwear parts and/or which ensures that the stitching is started and/or stopped, when e.g. the at least two footwear parts are not overlapping.

According to an embodiment of the invention, said at least two footwear parts may subsequent to being positioned on said base layer be transportable by moving said base layer.

Hereby, the at least two shoe parts, when they are fixated, connected by stitching or even when they are not connected or fixated may be moved with precision and efficiently when the base layer is moved, no matter whether this is via a conveyor, via a robotic pick and place device or in any other suitable manner, including manual handling, for example in connection with manual workstations, where for example the base layer and the connected at least two footwear parts may be processed manually, e.g. in connection with 3D stitching, transfer to a last, corrective handling, inspection or the like. To this can be added the possibility of handling the base layer with the at least two footwear parts connected to the base layer for further process step. Here, it may be noted that in the first of a plurality of process steps the processes may be performed in a single plane, i.e. a 2D plane, for example stitching in a single plane as defined by the base layer held by a fixture and/or the base layer held in itself by an e.g. conveyor. Subsequent to being removed from e.g. the fixture, the base layer with the at least two footwear parts connected to the base layer may be handled and processed within a 3D space, where for example 3D stitching of the footwear parts may be performed to provide a spatial form of the footwear parts on the process path to provide a completed footwear. Furthermore, the base layer may be moved to a last for some of the later process steps, in particular for the steps relating to the application of a sole, for direct injection moulding of a sole, etc.

According to an embodiment of the invention, said base layer may be transportable by moving said fixture, which may comprise conveyance arrangement.

Hereby, the at least two shoe parts carried by the base layer, no matter whether they are fixated, connected by stitching or even when they are not connected or fixated may be moved in an automated manner by moving the fixture, which via the conveyance arrangement may be connected to a conveyor arrangement. The conveyor arrangement may be a traditional conveyor belt, conveyor chain or the like, or may be a conveyor track or the like, upon which the fixture may be transported and/or guided. Other conveyor arrangements are possible.

Further, it is noted that the conveyance arrangement may be configured in such a manner that the fixture and thus also the base layer may be movable in relation to e.g. a conveyor, track or the like. Such a movement may be controllable by e.g. a control system and perform in an automated manner, e.g. in order to place the fixture in a suitable position, orientation, inclination, etc. for the actual processing step to be performed, e.g. for example when allowing a heat press to fixate the footwear parts by activating the adhesive and thus e.g. pressing from above as well as below. Another example may be tilting the fixture when allowing an automated stitching apparatus to grip on upper and lower side of the base layer to perform the stitching, etc. Thus, the conveyance arrangement may be configured to have several degrees or freedom, e.g. being able to rotate around vertical as well as horizontal axes, tilt sideways and/or lengthways, etc.

According to an embodiment of the invention, an identifier may be provided for identifying at least one of the base layer, the fixture and at least one of the at least two footwear parts.

Hereby, the identity of the actual piece of footwear being manufactured may be known, e.g. whether it is the fixture, the base layer or at least one of the footwear parts that are proceeding along the manufacturing line that is identified. Thus, when proceeding along the manufacturing line and through the processing steps, the control system may read the identity and perform the correct next step to be performed. Thus, it may for example be possible that the control system, when identifying the actual fixture, the actual base layer and/or an actual footwear part, may know that it is left hand shoe being made in size 39 with a specific colour and that the next step is addition of a facing. The control system may thus retrieve such a shoe part and place it in the correct position, where after the fixture may be conveyed further on for fixation of the facing and subsequent automated stitching of the facing to the assembly. Hence, it will be understood that due to the identifier, the actual footwear being made may be understood as effectively controlling the manufacturing and processing steps, e.g. being the actual controller itself, in that the specific steps being performed will depend on the actual identity of the footwear being manufactured.

According to an embodiment, such identifiers may be RFID devices or similar electronic devices.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the automated stitching may include stitching at least part of one of said at least two footwear parts to the base layer.

Hereby, the automated stitching may be effected in a straightforward manner, e.g. by stitching through e.g. the at least two footwear parts as well as the underlying base layer. Further, it is achieved that parts of the base layer that in this manner is being stitched to the footwear parts that at least partly forms a footwear upper, may serve as a part of the completed piece of footwear.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the method may comprise removal of the base layer from the at least two footwear parts prior to completion of the footwear or trimming of the base layer prior to completion of the footwear.

Hereby, the at least two footwear parts, when having been connected by automated stitching and possibly after having been connected with further footwear parts, may be removed from the base layer and/or fixture at a suitable point in time, for example when stitching in a single plane, i.e. 2D stitching has been made and subsequent stitching in 3D is the next processing step and/or where the connected footwear parts are planned to be mounted on e.g. a last for the further processing steps. At these points in time, the base layer may possibly be removed totally or only parts of the base layer that may not be needed for the further processing and possible use in the completed footwear may be removed, e.g. in connection with a trimming of the surplus parts of the base layer and in connection with the removal of a possible fixture.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the base layer may be the lining of the footwear.

Hereby, the base layer may fulfil the function both as a based layer and as lining of the footwear. This will effectuate the process of shoe making as the step of adding a lining may not be necessary. Lining is defined as the material inside of the shoe that may come into contact with the entire foot; sides, top and heels. The lining may be any suitable material such as e.g. leather or fabric such as cotton and viscose and/or synthetic material like e.g. polyester, acrylic and elastane. Other material for cold weather shoes may also be used such as e.g. wool or lambskin.

According to an embodiment of the invention, there may be a further layer of lining e.g. as a middle layer between the base layer and the layer of leather. An advantage of a middle layer could be improved insulation, rigidity, durability or other advantages suitable for footwear.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the elongation at break of the base layer may be less than 10%.

Suitably, the elongation at break of the base layer material (i.e. the elongation of the fabric when stretched to its breaking point) is less than 5%, typically less than 4%, or even less than 3%.

A suitable test for measuring the elongation at break is ISO3376:2011.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the base layer may be a reinforcing fabric with a tensile strength (breaking strength) above 5 N/mm, more typically above 10 N/mm, or even above 15 N/mm.

The ultimate tensile strength expressed in N/mm is the pulling force required to break a 1 m wide sample of the material. A suitable test for measuring the ultimate tensile strength of the reinforcing fabric is ISO 3376: 2011.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the needle for stitching is at least 0.9 mm in diameter.

Hereby, the needle is thick enough to pierce the leather without breaking the needle. Further, the needle may be spear shaped to help cut the leather as the stitch is being formed.

Examples of needles suitable for sewing leather may be needles such as e.g. 110 LR, 110 FFG/R, 90 LR, 90 FFG/R.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the needle may comprise a coating.

Hereby, by using needles with a coating, it is possible to reduce thermal and mechanical faults caused by the sewing needle. During sewing, the fabric resists the penetration of the needle. This frictional resistance between the needle and the fabric produces heat and it may cause the needle to overheat during high-speed sewing.

Sewing needles may be coated with different materials such as e.g. Cr (Chrome), PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) and TiN (Titanium nitride).

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the type of thread used for sewing may for example be synthetic sewing threads, e.g. made from a material such as e.g. polyester or nylon threads.

Examples of threads used for sewing, according to embodiments of the invention, may be Amann Size 60/3, 40/3 and 20/3.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the stitching length may be more than 3 stiches per cm, such as 3.5 stiches per cm, such as 4 stiches per cm.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the method may further comprise inspection of said at least two footwear parts when said at least two footwear parts have been positioned on the base layer, when said at least two footwear parts have been fixated and/or when said at least two footwear parts have been connected by an automated stitching.

Hereby, it may be controlled that the respective manufacturing steps have been performed as intended, before proceeding to the next steps, and in case it turns out that non-acceptable tolerances are detected, corrective actions may be taken and/or the relevant inspected item may be removed from the processing for correction and/or re-use. The inspection may be made by means of vision means, camera means, radiation means, etc.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to a system for manufacturing footwear, said footwear comprising at least two footwear parts, e.g. shoe parts, which footwear parts are at least partly connected together by stitching for forming at least part of an upper part of said footwear, said system comprising

• • a base layer holding device configured for holding a base layer,
  • a positioning device for positioning at least two footwear parts on said base layer,
  • an adhering activating device configured for fixating said at least two footwear parts on said base layer in respective relative positions,
  • an automated stitching device configured for connecting said at least two footwear parts with each other, and
  • at least a further processing device for facilitating further processing of the at least two footwear parts in connected form to provide said footwear.

In an embodiment of the invention, at least one of said at least two footwear parts may be a leather footwear part.

In an embodiment of the invention, said base layer holding device configured for holding said base layer may be a fixture.

Hereby, the base layer, when held by such a fixture, may provide improved characteristics as regards e.g. strength, rigidity, load bearing capability, precision as regards positioning of e.g. footwear parts on it, etc. since the fixture may serve as a rigid frame or the like, by means of which the base layer may be e.g. tightened, for example to provide a planar surface, on which the e.g. footwear parts may be positioned with great precision. Furthermore, the fixture may facilitate the e.g. handling and/or transport of the base layer, with or without parts positioned on it.

In an embodiment of the invention, said fixture may comprise conveyance arrangements configured for transport of said fixture.

In an embodiment of the invention, said positioning device may comprise a robotic apparatus, e.g. a robotic pick and place apparatus.

In an embodiment of the invention, said positioning device may further comprise a visual detection system, e.g. comprising a camera, a vision system, etc.

In an embodiment of the invention, said adhering activating device may be configured for fixating said at least two footwear parts on said base layer in respective relative positions comprising an arrangement for activating non-activated adhesive, e.g. using friction, pressure, ultrasonic radiation, infrared radiation, heat transfer or any combination hereof.

Hereby, it may be achieved that the at least two footwear parts may not be accidentally moved from the intended position(s) and may remain there until having been connected by the automated stitching. Such unintended moving of the at least two footwear parts might otherwise happen when the base layer or the fixture is being transported from one process step to the next and in particular when the base layer and the at least two footwear parts has to the stitched by an automatic stitching apparatus.

Hot melt glues may consist of one base material with various additives. The composition is usually formulated to have a glass transition temperature (onset of brittleness) and a suitable high melt temperature as well.

The hot-melt adhesive may have a Tg (Tg: Glass transition temperature) between 50 degrees Celsius and 200 degrees Celsius, such as between 100 degrees Celsius and 200 degrees Celsius, such as between 110 degrees Celsius and 200 degrees Celsius, such as between 120 degrees Celsius and 200 degrees Celsius, such as between 100 degrees Celsius and 180 degrees Celsius, such as between 100 degrees Celsius and 170 degrees Celsius.

An advantage of applying heat to the process is that it is possible to control the adherence of adhesive to leather. The temperature is raised as the adhesive is applied to the leather and/or base layer as e.g. a web and needs to be heated in order to melt and facilitate a strong mutual bonding between the leather pieces/layers.

The pressure P applied may be at least 2 bar, such as at least 3 bar, such as at least 4 bar. Pressure should be below a pressure where the leather is damaged or where the bonding is not performed according to intentions. An upper pressure could e.g. be 15 bar.

An advantage of applying pressure to the leather during heating of the leather is that the temperature of the leather may be lower than if not applying pressure. The lower temperature is an advantage as the leather may not be burned and it will further keep the leather in the right shape with a minimum of shrinkage. If the temperature is too high, the leather may lose its moisture and therefore turn hard and wavy and thereby loose the flexibility and softness of the leather.

In an embodiment of the invention, said system may comprise a reference for positioning said at least two footwear parts on said base layer.

Hereby, the positioning of the at least two footwear parts is supported, for example in case the position and/or orientation of the at least two footwear parts is based on distances from the reference, coordinates based on a reference coordinate system, etc. The reference may be a visual reference, which may be utilized when manually positioning the at least two footwear parts and/or which may also be utilized when positioning the at least two footwear parts in an automated manner, e.g. using a robotic unit that may have vision means to enable the placing. The reference may instead be based on other means such as electronic means, magnetic means, radiation means of various kinds, etc, as it will be apparent to a person skilled within the art of automation and related fields.

In an embodiment of the invention, said base layer and/or said fixture for the base layer may comprise said reference.

In an embodiment of the invention, said base layer may comprise an adhesive on at least a part of its surface.

Hereby, it may be achieved that the at least two footwear parts may not be accidentally moved from the intended position(s) and may remain there until having been connected by the automated stitching. Such unintended moving of the at least two footwear parts might otherwise happen when the base layer or the fixture is being transported from one process step to the next and in particular when the base layer and the at least two footwear parts has to the stitched by an automatic stitching apparatus.

In an embodiment of the invention, the system may further comprise an applicator for applying adhesive to at least part of said base layer and/or at least part of at least one of said at least two footwear parts.

In an embodiment of the invention, said adhesive may be provided as a non-activated adhesive on said base layer and/or said at least one of said at least two footwear parts, which non-activated adhesive is activatable for fixating the at least two footwear parts on the base layer.

In an embodiment of the invention, said non-activated adhesive on said base layer and/or said at least one of said at least two footwear parts may be activatable using friction, pressure, ultrasonic radiation, infrared radiation, heat transfer or any combination hereof.

In an embodiment of the invention, leather layers of said at least one of said at least two footwear parts comprising said non-activated adhesive may have a water vapor permeability of above 5 mg/cm2/hour, such as above 8 mg/cm2/hour, such as above 10 mg/cm2/hour.

Hereby, the material allows liquid water (perspiration) to transport away from the skin to the outside, thus allowing comprehensive comfort to the wearer.

In an embodiment of the invention, said positioning device for positioning said at least two footwear parts on said base layer may comprise a robotic pick and place apparatus, e.g. configured for sequentially picking each footwear part and placing it on the base layer at a predefined position and possibly with a predefined orientation.

Hereby, it is achieved that when an empty base layer has been provided, possibly held by a fixture, the robotic pick and place apparatus may, controlled by control software of an e.g. central or local control unit, pick a first one of the at least two footwear parts from e.g. a local store and place it on the base layer, possibly at a predetermined position and possibly with a predetermined orientation. Subsequently, the robotic pick and place apparatus may, controlled by the control software, pick a second one of the at least two footwear parts from e.g. a local store and place it on the base layer, possibly at a predetermined position and/or with predetermined orientation or possibly at a predetermined position and/or with a predetermined orientation in relation to the first footwear part. In case more than two footwear parts have to be placed, these steps may be repeated.

It is noted that the footwear parts may be supplied to the robotic pick and place apparatus in the order, in which they have to be placed and that they in this manner are being identified to the robotic pick and place apparatus. It is also a possibility that the individual types of footwear parts are stored in individual e.g. store compartments, known to the control system and that the robotic pick and place apparatus in this manner may be controlled to pick the right footwear parts in the right order. A still other possibility is that the individual types of footwear parts are provided with identifications, e.g. numbers, bar codes, RFID devices, etc. that are readable by the robotic pick and place apparatus and that the robotic pick and place apparatus in this manner identifies the correct footwear part to be picked, e.g. the correct type, the right size, the right colour, left or right type, etc.

In an embodiment of the invention, said robotic pick and place apparatus may comprise a vacuum gripper.

In this connection it is noted that when a robotic vacuum gripper is used, this may be equipped with a plurality of relatively small suctions cups or the like, e.g. arranged in an array corresponding to e.g. the size of footwear parts to be gripped. The individual suction cups or the like may be individually supplied with vacuum. Additionally, it is noted that a further axis of the vacuum gripper robot may be implemented by having the active suctions cups or the like, e.g. the suction cups actually gripping a footwear part, be controlled to be extended or in another configuration by having the inactive suction cups be controlled to be retracted, when gripping, positioning and/or moving etc. a footwear part. Hereby, a number of advantages may be achieved, e.g. that the inactive suctions cups or the like that are actually not involved in gripping a footwear part, will not be near or will at least be positioned a distance from the footwear part, thus making it easier to maneuver the vacuum gripper and/or the gripped footwear part, e.g. because the inactive suctions cups or the like are less likely to collide with other objects, for example a fixture for the base layer, conveyor parts or other parts involved in the processing. Hence, the robotic vacuum gripper may, when implemented in such a manner with a further axis, be used with greater delicacy, with greater precision and in general with greater degrees of freedom as regards e.g. the ability to turn or in general angularly maneuver a footwear part, position a footwear part near a frame or fixture for the base layer, utilize the available base layer area to a greater extent, etc.

In an embodiment of the invention, said system may be configured for stacking parts such as the at least two footwear parts on the base layer, a plurality of said footwear parts and/or a plurality of said base layers.

In an embodiment of the invention, the system may comprise a visual detection system, e.g. having a camera, a vision system or the like for providing input for the positioning device.

Hereby, it is achieved that the positioning of the first as well as the subsequent footwear parts may be placed optimally as well as efficiently, e.g. using not only a possible reference and/or a fixture frame as reference, when placing the first footwear part, but also using an already placed footwear part, when placing a subsequent footwear part, so that e.g. a possible overlap between the parts will have an optimal size in view of e.g. a stitching seam or the like and whereby the finished product may have the required characteristics as regards e.g. strength as well as appearance.

In an embodiment of the invention, said automated stitching device may be configured for stitching at least part of one of said at least two footwear parts to the base layer and/or to the other one of said at least two footwear parts in an at least partly automatically controlled manner.

Hereby, it is achieved that the connection of the footwear parts may be made relatively quickly, efficiently and with the required precision, which in the prior art has not been possible, since an automated stitching of footwear parts, e.g. leather footwear parts has proven to be difficult to exercise and has turned out to have certain deficiencies, such as lack of precision, ill-fitting parts, etc. However, in connection with the invention, where a base layer is used and where the at least two footwear parts are fixated to this base layer, it has been shown that an automated stitching using an automated stitching device may be performed due to the footwear parts being fixated in the intended positions and whereby the desired quality and appearance of the completed footwear may be achieved.

It is noted that in connection with the automated stitching of the at least two footwear parts, of which at least one of these and possibly both may be a leather footwear part, the respective footwear parts may be positioned and fixated on the base layer such that considerations are made as regards possible shifting of the overlapping leather parts that may happen, when stitching, due to the thickness and inherent characteristics such as flexibility of the leather material. Thus, when determining, e.g. by control software and by a control system, the respective positions for the at least two footwear parts, adjustments may be made to anticipate any movements of the leather parts that may happen during the automated stitching, such that the finished result may come out as originally intended. In the prior art, such stitching is usually made manually by experienced persons, who during the machine stitching may make e.g. small adjustments and corrections to achieve a satisfactory result in spite of the movements of the leather material. According to this embodiment of the invention, initial adjustments may be made to anticipate such movements, whereby an automated stitching may be made of the at least two footwear parts that are fixated to the base layer.

It should be noted that an automated stitching device in this connection will be understood as being an e.g. motor driven stitching device, which furthermore may perform the stitching in an at least partly automatically controlled manner. The at least partly automatic control may be applied in a multitude of ways. For example, the stitching device may perform the stitching in accordance with a predefined route, defined in relation to the positions and/or orientation of the at least two footwear parts that have been fixated on the base layer. Thus, a stitching route or routes may be defined in e.g. an X-Y system on the base layer and implemented by the stitching device. Another possibility is that the automated stitching device is configured to stitch along a route, which has been indicated on at least one of the at least two footwear parts, e.g. with a visible marking, which may be followed by the stitching device, which may receive input data from an e.g. vision device, which may be combined with the stitching device or may be an independent device. Such a marking may instead be invisible, e.g. an electronical or magnetic trail, a radiation trail, etc. which may require corresponding sensing devices to control the stitching device. Also, it may be a possibility that the stitching device may be controlled to follow an edge of one of the at least two footwear parts and stitch in a predetermined distance to the relevant footwear part, in which case input data may be provided by vision equipment or other means of detecting and/or following e.g. an edge part. Other options for controlling or guiding the automated stitching are possible. Also, it may be a possibility that such options may be combined, for example in case a stitching route is defined as a route in relation to an X-Y system on the base layer, where furthermore it may be supplemented with a guiding system, for example using a vision system to effect a predefined distance to an edge of one of the footwear parts and/or which ensures that the stitching is started and/or stopped, when e.g. the at least two footwear parts are not overlapping.

In an embodiment of the invention, the system may further comprise a conveying device wherein said at least two footwear parts subsequent to being positioned on said base layer are transportable by moving said base layer.

Hereby, the at least two shoe parts, when they are fixated, connected by stitching or even when they are not connected or fixated may be moved with precision and efficiently when the base layer is moved, no matter whether this is via a conveyor, via a robotic pick and place device or in any other suitable manner, including manual handling, for example in connection with manual workstations, where for example the base layer and the connected at least two footwear parts may be processed manually, e.g. in connection with 3D stitching, transfer to a last, corrective handling, inspection or the like. To this can be added the possibility of handling the base layer with the at least two footwear parts connected to the base layer for further process step. Here, it may be noted that in the first of a plurality of process steps the processes may be performed in a single plane, i.e. a 2D plane, for example stitching in a single plane as defined by the base layer held by a fixture and/or the base layer held in itself by an e.g. conveyor. Subsequent to being removed from e.g. the fixture, the base layer with the at least two footwear parts connected to the base layer may be handled and processed within a 3D space, where for example 3D stitching of the footwear parts may be performed to provide a spatial form of the footwear parts on the process path to provide a completed footwear. Furthermore, the base layer may be moved to a last for some of the later process steps, in particular for the steps relating to the application of a sole, for direct injection moulding of a sole, etc.

In an embodiment of the invention, said fixture may comprise a conveyance arrangement.

Hereby, the at least two shoe parts carried by the base layer may be moved in an automated manner by moving the fixture, which via the conveyance arrangement may be connected to a conveyor arrangement. The conveyor arrangement may be a traditional conveyor belt, conveyor chain or the like, or may be a conveyor track or the like, upon which the fixture may be transported and/or guided. Other conveyor arrangements are possible.

Further, it is noted that the conveyance arrangement may be configured in such a manner that the fixture and thus also the base layer may be movable in relation to e.g. a conveyor, track or the like. Such a movement may be controllable by e.g. a control system and perform in an automated manner, e.g. in order to place the fixture in a suitable position, orientation, inclination, etc. for the actual processing step to be performed, e.g. for example when allowing a heat press to fixate the footwear parts by activating the adhesive and thus e.g. pressing from above as well as below. Another example may be tilting the fixture when allowing an automated stitching apparatus to grip on upper and lower side of the base layer to perform the stitching, etc. Thus, the conveyance arrangement may be configured to have several degrees or freedom, e.g. being able to rotate around vertical as well as horizontal axes, tilt sideways and/or lengthways, etc.

In an embodiment of the invention, an identifier may be provided for identifying at least one of the base layer, the fixture and at least one of the at least two footwear parts.

Hereby, the identity of the actual piece of footwear being manufactured may be known, e.g. whether it is the fixture, the base layer or at least one of the footwear parts that are proceeding along the manufacturing line that is identified. Thus, when proceeding along the manufacturing line and through the processing steps, the control system may read the identity and perform the correct next step to be performed. Thus, it may for example be possible that the control system, when identifying the actual fixture, the actual base layer and/or an actual footwear part, may know that it is left hand shoe being made in size 39 with a specific colour and that the next step is addition of a facing. The control system may thus retrieve such a shoe part and place it in the correct position, where after the fixture may be conveyed further on for fixation of the facing and subsequent automated stitching of the facing to the assembly. Hence, it will be understood that due to the identifier, the actual footwear being made may be understood as effectively controlling the manufacturing and processing steps, e.g. being the actual controller itself, in that the specific steps being performed will depend on the actual identity of the footwear being manufactured.

According to a particular embodiment, the identifier may be an RFID device.

In an embodiment of the invention, the automated stitching device may be configured for stitching at least part of one of said at least two footwear parts to the base layer.

Hereby, the automated stitching may be effected in a straightforward manner, e.g. by stitching through e.g. the at least two footwear parts as well as the underlying base layer. Further, it is achieved that parts of the base layer that in this manner is being stitched to the footwear parts that at least partly forms a footwear upper, may serve as a part of the completed piece of footwear.

In an embodiment of the invention, the system may be configured for removal of the base layer from the at least two footwear parts prior to completion of the footwear or trimming of the base layer prior to completion of the footwear.

Hereby, the at least two footwear parts, when having been connected by automated stitching and possibly after having been connected with further footwear parts, may be removed from the base layer and/or fixture at a suitable point in time, for example when stitching in a single plane, i.e. 2D stitching has been made and subsequent stitching in 3D is the next processing step and/or where the connected footwear parts are planned to be mounted on e.g. a last for the further processing steps. At these points in time, the base layer may possibly be removed totally or only parts of the base layer that may not be needed for the further processing and possible use in the completed footwear may be removed, e.g. in connection with a trimming of the surplus parts of the base layer and in connection with the removal of a possible fixture.

In an embodiment of the invention, the base layer may be the lining of the footwear.

Hereby, the base layer may fulfil the function both as a base layer and as lining of the footwear. This will effectuate the process of shoe making as the step of adding a lining may not be necessary. Lining is defined as the material inside of the shoe that may come into contact with the entire foot; sides, top and heels. The lining may be any suitable material such as e.g. leather or fabric such as cotton and viscose and/or synthetic material like e.g. polyester, acrylic and elastane. Other material for cold weather shoes may also be used such as e.g. wool or lambskin.

According to an embodiment of the invention, there may be a further layer of lining e.g. as a middle layer between the base layer and the layer of leather. An advantage of a middle layer could be improved insulation, rigidity, durability or other advantages suitable for footwear.

In an embodiment of the invention, the system may further comprise a quality inspection system for inspection of said at least two footwear parts, e.g. when said at least two footwear parts have been positioned on the base layer, when said at least two footwear parts have been fixated and/or when said at least two footwear parts have been connected by an automated stitching.

Hereby, it may be controlled that the respective manufacturing steps have been performed as intended, before proceeding to the next steps, and in case it turns out that non-acceptable tolerances are detected, corrective actions may be taken and/or the relevant inspected item may be removed from the processing for correction and/or re-use. The inspection may be made by means of vision means, camera means, radiation means, etc.

THE FIGURES

The invention will be explained in further detail below with reference to the figures of which

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary footwear manufactured according to an embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 2a illustrates a top view of an exemplary vamp with a toe cap and facing according to an embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 2b illustrates a top view of an exemplary vamp with a toe cap, facing and quarter according to another embodiment of the invention

FIGS. 3a-c illustrate in perspective views an exemplary base layer, whereon footwear parts such as vamp and toe cap are positioned according to various embodiments of the invention,

FIG. 3d illustrates the connected footwear upper parts as shown in FIG. 3b being folded into a 3D upper,

FIGS. 4a-4d illustrate in perspective views an example of initial or preparatory steps of an automatic stitching method according to an embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 5a illustrates an outlay seen from above of a module-based manufacturing line according to an embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 5b illustrates a further outlay seen from above of a module-based manufacturing line according to an embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 6 is a schematic enlarged view of an example of a workstation for gripping a footwear part and placing it at a specific location at/on a base layer, seen from above,

FIG. 7 is a schematic enlarged view of an example of a workstation for automated stitching of an assembly of footwear parts at/on a base layer, seen from above,

FIG. 8 illustrates an outlay seen from above of a module-based manufacturing line in continuation according to an embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 9 illustrates a further example of an outlay seen from above of a module-based manufacturing line according to an embodiment of the invention, and

FIG. 10 illustrates a still further example of an outlay seen from above of a module-based manufacturing line according to an embodiment of the invention, where further operation processes for manufacturing a piece of footwear are illustrated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary footwear which may be made within the scope of the invention. The exemplified footwear is a shoe 10 comprising an upper 11 wherein the upper 11 comprises footwear defining parts. The footwear defining parts are exemplified with a vamp 60 located as the section of the upper that covers the front of the foot as far back as the join of the quarter; a tongue 13 defined as a strip of material located under the laces of a shoe. The tongue may sit on the top center part of the shoe on top of the bridge of the foot and may be attached to the vamp 60; quarter 14 located on the rear and sides of the upper that covers the heel that are behind the vamp. The heel section of the quarter 14 may be strengthened with a stiffener, which helps support the rear of the foot. Further, a toe cap 62 wherein toe caps can take various forms, but types may be complete replacements for the front upper of the shoe; stitched over toecaps that add an extra layer to the upper; solid toe caps for protection, such as steel toe caps. Stitch over toe caps may be decorative in nature. Also, an outer counter 17 located at the heel of the shoe as a stiff piece of material positioned between the lining and upper that helps maintain the shape of the shoe, eyelets 18 as the holes for shoelaces and facing 19 being the part of the shoe where the shoelace eyelets are located.

The illustrated shoe 10 may preferably comprise a lining 30 on the inner side of the quarter.

The illustrated shoe parts may preferably be attached to a sole 16 e.g. by adhesion, gluing, stitching, injection molding or any relevant methods of attaching a sole. The sole may comprise several parts and layers e.g. inner sole 20, mid-sole (not shown) and outer sole 16.

The shoe may of course comprise other not-shown features and parts and the shapes and configuration of the parts may be different. Most shoes may comprise more than 15 or 20 shoe defining parts.

FIG. 2a illustrates a top view of parts of an upper e.g. of the shoe of FIG. 1, comprising a vamp 60, a toe cap 62 and facing 19 made within the scope of the invention. The vamp 60 and toe cap 62 are assembled by fitting the toe cap 62 on top of the vamp 60 as illustrated and then attached together. The vamp and facing are in the same way assembled by fitting the facing 19 on top of the vamp 60 as illustrated and then attached to each other.

The attachment of the leather pieces may be mediated by adhesion e.g. glue or any suitable adhesions but may also be a more lose attachment or they may only be loosely assembled to each other.

The leather pieces may then be sewed together as illustrated with a stitching line 22 by the method according to the invention. Stitching methods applied may be any methods relevant for stitching shoes.

FIG. 2b illustrates in a similar manner a top view of parts of an upper e.g. of the shoe of FIG. 1, where the parts comprise a vamp 60, a toe cap 62, a facing 19 and a quarter 14 made within the scope of the invention. The vamp 60 and toe cap 62 are assembled by fitting the toe cap 62 on top of the vamp 60 as illustrated and then attached together. The vamp and facing are in the same way assembled by fitting the facing 19 on top of the vamp 60 as illustrated and then attached to each other.

The quarter 14 and the vamp 60 are in the same way assembled by fitting the quarter 14 on top of the vamp 60 at one side of the vamp as illustrated and then attached to each other.

The attachment of the leather pieces may be mediated by adhesion e.g. glue or any suitable adhesions but may also be a more lose attachment or they may only be loosely assembled to each other.

The leather pieces may then be sewed together as it is illustrated with a stitching line 22 by an embodiment of the method according to the invention. Stitching methods applied may be any methods relevant for stitching shoes.

As regards the embodiment shown in FIG. 2b, it is noted that subsequent to e.g. stitching of footwear pieces, the part of the quarter 14 pointing downwards in FIG. 2b may be assembled with the other side of the vamp 60, requiring that the parts are formed 3-dimensionally to essentially take the form of a shoe upper and stitched together as indicated with the stitching line 22 on the lower part of the quarter 14.

It will be understood that other shoe parts in addition to the parts illustrated in FIGS. 2a and 2b may be introduced in similar manners and assembled with the illustrated parts to eventually form an upper of a shoe.

FIGS. 3a-3c illustrate in perspective views an exemplary base layer 30, whereon footwear parts such as a vamp 60 and a toe cap 62 are positioned in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. FIG. 3a illustrates a lining 30 being used as a base layer and with shoe parts exemplified by a vamp 60 and a toe cap 62 positioned on the base layer 30. For reasons of clarity, only a few footwear parts are illustrated in FIGS. 3a-3c, but it will be noted that further footwear parts may be positioned on the base layer, e.g. corresponding to the footwear parts as illustrated in FIGS. 2a and 2b and/or FIG. 1, which footwear parts may be processed in essence as described in the following concerning the various embodiments of the method according to the present invention. However, it is further noted that any relevant shoe parts or even accessories in the shoe manufacturing may be relevant in connection with the invention. After being positioned on the base layer 30, e.g. by means of for example a pick and place robot, the vamp 60 and the toe cap 62 are being fixated on the base layer, for example by activating an adhesive on the base layer. The non-activated adhesive may be activated by using pressure, friction, ultrasonic radiation, infrared radiation, heat, possibly in any combination. When the footwear parts have been fixated, the base layer 30 comprising the fixated footwear parts can now—possibly after being inspected as regards quality—be transported to e.g. an automated stitching station, where the footwear parts are being connected to the base layer and/or each other by an automatic stitching process as will be described in further detail below.

FIG. 3b corresponds to FIG. 3a, but here it is illustrated that a quarter 14 has been positioned at one side of the vamp 60, fixated on the base layer 30, etc. in such a manner that by a subsequent stitching process the footwear parts are being connected together and to the base layer.

FIG. 3c corresponds essentially to the scenario as shown in FIG. 3b, but in FIG. 3c it is illustrated that the base layer material is exploited to a greater degree by placing footwear parts, e.g. a further vamp 60, toe cap 62 and quarter 14, forming a further footwear upper, where these further parts form a mirrored version of the first mentioned footwear parts such that the first may relate to a left footwear upper and the second may relate to a right footwear upper. Another advantage may be that a pair of footwear uppers, e.g. relating to one and the same size, type, etc. in this manner may be processed simultaneously and/or following each other in the manufacturing process.

FIG. 3d illustrates the footwear upper parts as shown in FIG. 3b after they have been connected by stitching and where the superfluous parts of the base layer have been trimmed off, thus leaving essentially only the base layer 30 that is on the underside of the parts 14, 60 and 62. Hereafter, a folding of the connected footwear parts into a 3D upper may be performed as illustrated by the arrow A. Subsequently, the footwear upper may be connected and stitched as it has been explained above in connection with FIG. 2b. It is noted that the base layer material will thus serve as a lining in the manufactured footwear upper.

FIGS. 4a-4d illustrate an example of initial or preparatory steps of an automatic stitching method according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein a fixture 40 is utilized in the processing steps as it will be explained in detail further below. The fixture may be configured in a multitude of variations. However, in order to elucidate the invention, the fixture 40 is here illustrated, seen in a perspective view partly from above and partly from the side, as being an essentially rectangular fixture frame 42 as shown in FIG. 4a, which fixture frame serves to withhold a base layer. Further, it is noted that the fixture 40 comprises or can be combined with conveyance arrangements 44 (indicated in FIG. 4a), e.g. placed underneath the fixture frame 42 and configured for facilitating a controllable transport, e.g. along a conveyor, along a track or in any other suitable manner.

As indicated in FIG. 4b, the fixture 40, e.g. the fixture frame 42 is configured for holding a base layer 50. For example, the fixture frame 42 may have a clamping function, e.g. by being openable and closable, and a base layer 50 may thus be gripped by the fixture frame 42 along the outer perimeter of the base layer. The base layer 50, which is an essentially non-stretchable material, is held by the fixture 40 in such a manner that the base layer 50 extends in a plane defined by the fixture and essentially without deviating from the plane at locations within the inner of the fixture frame. As further indicated in FIG. 4b, a reference 52 may be defined in the 2-dimensional plane defined by the base layer 50, e.g. for example at a corner of the fixture frame 42, which reference may serve as reference point for the further processing, e.g. when positioning footwear parts, when stitching, etc. as it will be exemplified further below. The reference 52 may be defined in other manners, e.g. by having a marking on the base layer 50, for example visible and/or detectable by e.g. vision equipment, detecting apparatus, etc.

In FIG. 4c it is shown that the fixture 40 with a base layer 50 mounted has been placed in a processing line and based on the reference 52 and in accordance with work instructions, e.g. control software, a footwear part such as e.g. a vamp 60 is positioned on the base layer 50 in a position and possibly with an orientation in accordance with the work instructions, e.g. the control software. The footwear part may for example be gripped and positioned on the base layer by a pick and place robot or another type of robotic apparatus.

In the next step, it is illustrated in FIG. 4d that a further footwear part, e.g. a toe cap 62, has been positioned at least partly overlapping the previously positioned footwear part. The toe cap 62 may be positioned based on the reference 52 and in accordance with work instructions, e.g. control software, for e.g. a pick and place robot or the like. It is noted that the control software may receive input not only regarding the reference 52 but may also receive input as regards the actual position and/or orientation of the previously placed footwear part. It is noted that it is a possibility that the latter positioned part, e.g. the toe cap 62, may be positioned based alone on the position of the former positioned part, e.g. the vamp 60. A combination may be preferable, though.

Furthermore, it is indicated in FIG. 4d that an identifier 70 may be arranged on the fixture 40, e.g. on, at or in the fixture frame 42. Instead or in addition such an identifier 70′ may be arranged in connection with the base layer 50. Further, it is noted that the identifier, which in such case will be referred to as 70″, instead or additionally may be arranged in connection with the footwear parts, e.g. on or in one or more of the footwear parts.

Hereby, the fixture, the base layer with the parts being positioned on it and/or the footwear part(s) may be e.g. tracked along a processing line and in case a control system has been provided with information concerning the involved identifiers, the relevant processing may be performed in accordance with e.g. a predefined set of specifications as the parts proceed along the processing line. Further, it is noted that the use of such identifiers may allow that e.g. a particular fixture, base layer and/or footwear parts may be removed from e.g. the processing line and later added again, at which stage the identifier may be read by a reader and an e.g. status of steps already performed may be provided to the control system as well as the actual characteristics of the work in progress.

As an example, it may be mentioned that the identifier devices may be RFID devices or any other suitable electronically readable devices.

Furthermore, it should be noted that the exemplary footwear parts shown in FIGS. 4c and 4d, e.g. a vamp 60 and a toe cap 62, are for illustrative purposes only and that other footwear parts may be used as exemplary footwear parts such as shown and explained in connection with FIGS. 2a, 2b and 3a-3c. Thus, it will also be understood that a fixture 40 with a base layer 50 may be utilized when positioning footwear parts for a single footwear upper, e.g. as it has been illustrated in FIGS. 4c and 4d, but that advantageously a pair of footwear uppers may be processed on a single fixture with a base layer such as it has been explained with reference to FIG. 3c. Further configurations are possible, e.g. with a single fixture frame 42 and its associated base layer 50 carrying parts for more than two footwear uppers, etc. if the sizes permits. Even further, as mentioned above, it should be noted that the base layer 50 may be utilized in a completed footwear upper as a lining 30.

In FIG. 5a a possible outlay of a module-based manufacturing line 100 according to an embodiment of the invention is illustrated, seen from above. Here, a number of modules 101-109 are shown, which may be utilized in connection with a manufacturing line for footwear and where e.g. footwear parts, materials, etc. necessary for the manufacture as well as subparts of the e.g. footwear may be transported along the manufacturing line 100, e.g. generally from left to right in FIG. 5a, while manufacturing steps, handling, etc, are being performed along the line 100. As illustrated in FIG. 5a, the transport, e.g. conveying may take place along the hatched route and as illustrated with the arrows as it will be further elucidated in the following.

It should be noted that the respective modules are configured with interfaces, e.g. clear mechanical, pneumatic, electronic and/or communication interfaces, thereby enabling a quick reconfiguration of the modules and the line 100 to accommodate manufacture of e.g. new or changed products, to enable additional modules to be included, e.g. a further workstation for automatic stitching, etc.

The module 101 is a module for a stacking device, where stacks of e.g. footwear parts, base layers, etc. S1, S2, S3 and Sn may be fed to the line. In particular, the module 101 may handle stacks of fixtures 40, each comprising a fixture frame 42 and a base layer 50 that may be a lining material 30, which e.g. one by one are fed to the manufacturing line 100. From this module 101 for a stacking device the objects may be forwarded to different locations via a module 102 for 3-way transfer as illustrated by the arrows, e.g. moved across the module 103 to the next module 104 or directed to the module 103, e.g. a work station, at the side. Also, the module 102 for 3-way transfer may serve to forward objects from the module 103, e.g. a work station, to the next module 104. The module 103 at the side of the line may be a work station such as a module for a pick and place device, which furthermore may comprise a visual detection system to enable the pick and place device to e.g. grip a footwear part and place it at a specific location at/on a base layer. Furthermore, the pick and place device at the module 103 may e.g. grip one or more further footwear part(s) and place it (them) at a further specific location at the base layer and/or at overlapping positions on the first placed footwear part. Also, it should be noted that the pick and place device may place the footwear part(s) with a desired orientation, e.g. in relation to the base layer and/or in relation to a previously placed footwear part.

As it will be understood from the foregoing, the object being transported from the module 103 to the module 104 may be a base layer, upon which two or more footwear parts are positioned. At the module 104 a heat press device or another type of device for activating a layer of non-activated adhesive on the base layer is arranged for activating the adhesive as previously discussed, thereby fixating the footwear parts on the lase layer in the positions, in which they have been placed.

The base layer with the fixated footwear parts may next be forwarded to a module 105 having a process quality inspection system, e.g. having a vision or camera component for checking e.g. the positions of the footwear parts, the overlap, etc. In case there is any flaw, the specific base layer with footwear parts may proceed e.g. directly to the end of the line, may be redirected without being used or may be removed in another manner, in all cases possibly for being corrected, used for other purposes or in other manners reused.

When the base layer with footwear parts passes the module 105 having the process quality inspection system, it reaches a second module 106 having a 3-way transfer as illustrated by the arrows. Here, the base layer with footwear parts may be directed to module 107, e.g. a workstation having an automated stitching device in the form of e.g. a robotic stitching system, by means of which the fixated footwear parts and possibly the base layer are being connected to each other by stitching.

When having been stitched, the base layer with the fixated and now connected footwear parts is being transported to a module 108 for a stacking device, where a stacking of the processed base layers with the fixated and now connected footwear parts is being performed before being subjected to further processing in order to provide a completed piece of footwear. Here, the further processing may include removal of the base layer 50 with the connected footwear parts from the fixture frames 42, whereafter the fixture frames may be prepared for being returned to the input of the manufacturing line 100.

Furthermore, a module 109 is illustrated, which is a module for a fixture or jig preparation device, where for example base layers 50 may be mounted in or on the individual fixtures 40 and in general made ready to enter a manufacturing line 100 as illustrated in FIG. 5. The module 109 may for example comprise a movable magazine, which can be moved to the module 101 when the magazine has been filled with fixtures 40, which have been provided with new base layer material.

In FIG. 5b a further example of a manufacturing line 100 is illustrated. This corresponds in essence to the manufacturing line that has been shown in FIG. 5a and has been explained in connection with FIG. 5a. However, in FIG. 5b the fixture preparation module 109 is placed in front of the manufacturing line 100. Further, the fixture preparation module 109 as well as the module 108 for a stacker device at the end of the manufacturing line 100 may comprise an elevator each. Even further, an underlying conveyor 111, e.g. a conveyor belt, is arranged, leading from the module 108 to the fixture preparation module 109. This underlying conveyor 111 may be arranged in lower parts of the respective modules, e.g. arranged under a conveyor 110 that transports fixtures in the manufacturing direction. Thus, fixture frames that arrive at the module 108 may be lowered down by the elevator and transported to the fixture preparation module 109 by the underlying conveyor 111. Here, they are lifted upwards and may be prepared by removing any base material left and by mounting a new piece of base layer material in the fixture frame. This may be done by an operator 118, who also pushes the now prepared fixture frame to the module 101 for a stacking device, ready to be used in the manufacture. The module 101 for a stacking device may hold a plurality, e.g. 5 or more, of fixture frames and may thus serve as a buffer.

The fixture handling and transport arrangement shown in FIG. 5b may be used in connection with other manufacturing line configurations as well, e.g. the examples shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10.

In FIG. 6 an example of a schematically shown workstation 103 for gripping a footwear part and placing it at a specific location at/on a base layer is shown in an enlarged view from above. Here, it is shown that a fixture 40 comprising a base layer 50 have been transported to the workstation 103 by e.g. a conveyor 110. The workstation comprises a pick and place robot 114, which has a robot arm 115, for example an articulated and extendable arm that may be rotated around a base part and which has a gripper such as a vacuum gripper 116. It is noted that various types of robots may be utilized for picking and placing the footwear parts and it should be mentioned that for example a SCARA robot may be utilized. It is furthermore noted that in case a robotic vacuum gripper is used, this may be equipped with a plurality of relatively small suctions cups or the like, e.g. arranged in an array corresponding to e.g. the size of footwear parts to be gripped. The individual suction cups or the like may be individually supplied with vacuum. Additionally, it is noted that a further axis of the vacuum gripper robot may be implemented by having the active suctions cups or the like, e.g. the suction cups actually gripping a footwear part, be controlled to be extended or in another configuration by having the inactive suction cups be controlled to be retracted, when gripping, positioning and/or moving etc. a footwear part. Hereby, a number of advantages may be achieved, e.g. that the inactive suctions cups or the like that are actually not involved in gripping a footwear part, will not be near or will at least be positioned a distance from the footwear part, thus making it easier to maneuver the vacuum gripper and/or the gripped footwear part, e.g. because the inactive suctions cups or the like are less likely to collide with other objects, for example a fixture for the base layer, conveyor parts or other parts involved in the processing. Hence, the robotic vacuum gripper may, when implemented in such a manner with a further axis, be used with greater delicacy, with greater precision and in general with greater degrees of freedom as regards e.g. the ability to turn or in general angularly maneuver a footwear part, position a footwear part near a frame or fixture for the base layer, utilize the available base layer area to a greater extent, etc.

The workstation 103 may furthermore comprise a visual detection system to enable the pick and place device to operate, where the visual detection system may comprise a detector device 112 that may be connected to various detectors, cameras, vision devices in order to provide the desired to the e.g. robot 114.

The robot 114 is controlled by software to pick individual footwear parts, e.g. leather parts and place these on the base layer 50 at specified positions, in a certain order, etc. as it has been explained above. These footwear parts may be picked from e.g. leather part supplies 120. When the fixture 40 with the base layer 50 has received for example two assemblies 64 of footwear parts, it may be transported further on in the processing line, e.g. to the module 104 for activating adhesive or to another module. Also, it may be parked for a longer or shorter time until processing capacity is ready, for example at the workstation 103 that may also serve as a buffer.

In FIG. 7 an example of a schematically shown workstation 107 for automated stitching is shown in an enlarged view from above. Here, it is shown that a fixture 40 comprising a base layer 50 and whereon for example two assemblies 64 of footwear parts are fixated has been transported to the workstation 107 by e.g. a conveyor 110.

The workstation 107 comprises a schematically illustrated automated stitching apparatus 130, which is arranged in connection with a gantry device 132, possibly a gantry robot, in such a manner that relative movement in the transverse as well as the conveyor direction (the longitudinal direction) is facilitated. Thus, the footwear parts of the e.g. two assemblies 64 may in this manner be stitched to the base layer 50 and to each other.

The workstation 107 may furthermore comprise a visual detection system to enable the automated stitching apparatus 130 to operate, where the visual detection system may comprise a detector device 112 that may be connected to various detectors, cameras, vision devices in order to provide the desired control signals to the e.g. gantry device 132 and the automated stitching apparatus 132. These are controlled by software to e.g. perform a stitching along predefined routes, along certain edges of the footwear parts or in any other manner to provide a predefined stitching of the footwear parts. When the stitching of the two assemblies 64 of footwear parts have been performed, the fixture 40 with the base layer 50 and the two assemblies 64 of footwear parts may be transported further on in the processing line, e.g. to the module 108 for further processing. However, it may be parked for a longer or shorter time until processing capacity is ready, for example at the workstation 107 that may also serve as a buffer.

In FIG. 8 a possible outlay of a continuation of a module based manufacturing line 100 according to an embodiment of the invention is illustrated, seen from above. Here, the modules are illustrated as a continuation of modules e.g. from a series of modules 100 that may be a series of modules as illustrated in FIG. 5a. It may also be a continuation of the illustrated modules to other manufacturing processes relevant for footwear making.

In FIG. 9 a further example of a manufacturing line 100 is illustrated. This corresponds in essence to the manufacturing line that has been shown in FIG. 5a and has been explained in connection with FIG. 5, but in FIG. 9 it is exemplified that quality inspection may be performed at different steps in the manufacturing line 100. In FIG. 5a it was shown that a module 105 for process quality inspection was placed following the module 104 for activation of adhesive. As shown in FIG. 9, the module 105 for process quality inspection may instead be placed following immediately after the automated stitching has been performed, e.g. after the module 107 for automated stitching and the module 106 for 3-way transfer. It will be apparent that a process quality inspection may be performed at both of these exemplified positions, at only one of these and/or at any other suitable position.

Furthermore, it should be noted that other configurations of the various modules 101-109 are possible in addition to the configurations exemplified in the figures. For example, it is noted that whereas is it shown that the modules 103 and 107 relating to the robotic positioning of shoe parts on fixture frames holding base layer and the automated stitching, respectively, are exemplified as stations, where the objects are being removed from a main process line and are being processed in e.g. a loop configuration, it is a possibility that these operations may be performed as inline processes, e.g. being performed in the main process line without being looped out.

In FIG. 10 a further example of a configuration of a manufacturing line 100 is illustrated. This corresponds in essence to the manufacturing line that has been shown in FIG. 5 and has been explained in connection with FIG. 5, but here it is further shown that the output from the module 108, e.g. base layers with stitched footwear parts that have been stitched in a 2 dimensional plane and where e.g. the surplus base layer has been trimmed so that the remaining base material may serve as lining, is being forwarded to a further 3D processing 140. This 3D processing 140 may e.g. include closing the footwear uppers by stitching them together as it has been explained above, e.g. in connection with FIG. 3d and may further comprise attaching Strobel material to the 3D upper in advance of e.g. injection of sole material. Further processes may be performed here at 140, as it will be apparent to a person skilled within the field of footwear manufacture. Next, the completed footwear upper is forwarded to a sole attachment process, such as for example a direct injection production (DIP) 150 and related operations, resulting in a completed piece of footwear 10.

In principle, the leather can derive from any source, including animal-sources such as bovine hide, cow hide, horse hide, goat skin, sheep skin, kangaroo hide, reptiles, fish and the like. The leather may also derive from a non-animal sources such as e.g. natural materials derived from e.g. plants, unicellular or multicellular organisms. Even so, preferably the leather is a mammal or marsupial leather (i.e. derives from a hide from a mammal such as horse or bovine e.g. cow, or a marsupial such as a kangaroo. Mammal leathers are most often used. However, it should be noted that one or more of the footwear parts being used for the manufacture of e.g. footwear uppers in connection with the present invention may comprise other materials, e.g. synthetic materials such as polyester, polyamide and/or polyurethanes.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

• 10 Shoe
• 11 Upper
• 13 Tongue
• 14 Quarter
• 16 Outer sole
• 17 Outer counter
• 18 Eyelet
• 19 Facing
• 20 Inner sole
• 22 Stiches
• 30 Lining
• 40 Fixture
• 42 Fixture frame
• 44 Conveyance arrangements
• 50 Base layer
• 52 Reference
• 60 Vamp
• 62 Toe cap
• 64 Assembly of footwear parts
• 70, 70′, 70″ Identifier
• 100 Manufacturing line
• 101 Module for a stacking device
• 102 Module for 3-way transfer
• 103 Workstation
• 104 Module for activating adhesive
• 105 Module for process quality inspection
• 106 Further module for 3-way transfer
• 107 Workstation for automated stitching
• 108 Further module for a stacking device
• 109 Fixture preparation module
• 110 Conveyor
• 111 Underlying conveyor
• 112 Detector device
• 114 Pick and place robot
• 115 Robot arm
• 116 Vacuum gripper
• 118 Operator
• 120 Leather part supply
• 130 Automated stitching apparatus
• 132 Gantry device
• 140 3-dimensional (3D) processing
• 150 Direct injection production (DIP)
• A Folding of 3D upper
• S1-Sn Stacks of footwear parts, base layers, etc.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing footwear, said footwear comprising at least two footwear parts, which are shoe parts, and which footwear parts are at least partly connected together by stitching for forming at least part of an upper part of said footwear, said method comprising:

providing a base layer,

providing said at least two footwear parts and positioning said at least two footwear parts on said base layer,

fixating said at least two footwear parts on said base layer in respective relative positions corresponding to predefined connected positions,

connecting said at least two footwear parts with each other by an automated stitching, and

processing the at least two footwear parts in connected form to provide said footwear.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said at least two footwear parts is a leather footwear part.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

providing a fixture for said base layer; and

arranging the base layer to be held by said fixture.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein a reference is provided for positioning said at least two footwear parts on said base layer.

5. (canceled)

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein said fixating said at least two footwear parts on said base layer in respective positions comprises adhering the at least two shoe parts on said base layer with an adhesive.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein said adhesive is provided as a non-activated adhesive on said base layer, which is activated when fixating the at least two footwear parts on the base layer.

8.-9. (canceled)

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the positioning of said at least two footwear parts on said base layer is performed by a robotic pick and place apparatus by sequentially picking each shoe part and placing each shoe part on the base layer at a predefined position.

11. (canceled)

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the positioning of said at least two footwear parts on said base layer is performed using input from a visual detection system including using a camera or a vision system.

13. (canceled)

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein said at least two footwear parts subsequent to being positioned on said base layer, are transportable by moving said base layer.

15. (canceled)

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein an identifier is provided for identifying at least one of the base layer, the fixture, and at least one of the at least two footwear parts.

17. The method according to claim 1, wherein the automated stitching includes stitching at least part of one of said at least two footwear parts to the base layer.

18. (canceled)

19. The method according to claim 1, wherein the base layer is a lining of the footwear.

20.-25. (canceled)

26. A system for manufacturing footwear, said footwear comprising at least two footwear parts, which are shoe parts, and which footwear parts are at least partly connected together by stitching for forming at least part of an upper part of said footwear, said system comprising:

a base layer holding device configured for holding a base layer,

a positioning device for positioning at least two footwear parts on said base layer,

an adhering activating device configured for fixating said at least two footwear parts on said base layer in respective relative positions,

an automated stitching device configured for connecting said at least two footwear parts with each other, and

at least a further processing device for facilitating further processing of the at least two footwear parts in connected form to provide said footwear.

27. (canceled)

28. The system according to claim 26, wherein said base layer holding device configured for holding said base layer is a fixture.

29. The system according to claim 28, wherein said fixture comprises conveyance arrangements configured for transport of said fixture.

30. The system according to claim 26, wherein said positioning device comprises a robotic apparatus including a robotic pick and place apparatus.

31. The system according to claim 26, wherein said positioning device comprises a visual detection system including one or more of a camera or a vision system.

32. The system according to claim 26, wherein said adhering activating device configured for fixating said at least two footwear parts on said base layer in respective relative positions comprises an arrangement for activating non-activated adhesive using at least one of friction, pressure, ultrasonic radiation, infrared radiation, or heat transfer.

33.-40. (canceled)

41. The system according to claim 30, wherein said robotic pick and place apparatus comprises a vacuum gripper.

42.-46. (canceled)

47. The system according to claim 26, wherein an identifier is provided for identifying at least one of the base layer, a fixture, and at least one of the at least two footwear parts.

48.-51. (canceled)