A gaging apparatus and method for automation of a shoemaking process are provided for automating a shoemaking process. According to the method, the gaging apparatus obtains operation data according to the gaging process of drawing a gaging line on a boundary between the upper and the sole for shoe manufacturing, and generates trajectory data for the boundary based on the operation data. Based on the trajectory data, the gaging apparatus generates robot trajectory data for performing a buffing and bonding process after the gaging process and transmits it to a shoemaking robot.

Described herein are apparatuses and methods of creating fibers, such as microfibers and nanofibers for the production of clothing items and footwear. Also described herein is a microfiber and/or nanofiber coating system having a support that holds an object to be coated by fibers during the coating process. The support may move the object with respect to the fibers, such that at least a portion of each of the exterior surfaces of the object are coated by the fibers formed by the microfiber and/or nanofiber coating system.

Aspects relate to systems, methods, and apparatus for a manufacturing tool. The manufacturing tool is comprised of a vacuum tool and an ultrasonic welder as a unified manufacturing tool. The manufacturing tool may be used to pick and position a manufacturing part that is then welded with the associated ultrasonic welder.

Aspects relate to systems, methods, and apparatus for a manufacturing tool. The manufacturing tool is comprised of a vacuum tool and an ultrasonic welder as a unified manufacturing tool. The manufacturing tool may be used to pick and position a manufacturing part that is then welded with the associated ultrasonic welder.

A sewing machine and a method of operating a sewing machine able to gather one or more materials through a variable speed transfer disc or transfer cup. The gathering operation can assist in joining materials of different lengths without causing a warp or other unintended variation in the sewn article. The gathering operation may be used in connection with sewing of an article of footwear upper with an insole portion to form a foot-receiving cavity. During a sewing operation, a tension on the thread may be adjusted and confirmed with a display output. Similarly, an indication of pressure applied to decrease a rotational speed of the transfer disc or the transfer cup may be presented on a display output to achieve repeatability across operators and articles.

A method of forming and shaping a waterproof and moisture permeable shoe upper includes disposing a shoe upper and a waterproof and moisture permeable film on a shoe last, wherein at least one of the shoe upper and the waterproof and moisture permeable film includes microwave treatable material, and heating the shoe last with the shoe upper and the waterproof and moisture permeable film thereon by microwave, so that the shoe upper and the waterproof and moisture permeable film are combined by the microwave treatable material and shaped to form the waterproof and moisture permeable shoe upper after cooling.

An adjustable jig for securing a textile during assembly. The textile may be an upper of an article of footwear. The jig includes a plurality of plates displaceable in a first axis and/or second axis, each plate with one or more pin attachment sites. A template is placed on the jig and pins are placed into each plate to set the pin pattern. The template is removed and a textile is mounted to the jig using the pin pattern. The jig may be configured to accommodate different sizes and shapes of textiles, and is resistant to heating and mechanical forces.

An adjustable jig for securing a textile during assembly. The textile may be an upper of an article of footwear. The jig includes a plurality of plates displaceable in a first axis and/or second axis, each plate with one or more pin attachment sites. A template is placed on the jig and pins are placed into each plate to set the pin pattern. The template is removed and a textile is mounted to the jig using the pin pattern. The jig may be configured to accommodate different sizes and shapes of textiles, and is resistant to heating and mechanical forces.

The present invention provides systems, methods, and apparatus for a vacuum tool having a switchable plate, such that a common vacuum tool may be adapted with different plates. A switchable plate may form the entirety of the vacuum tool's material contacting surface or a switchable plate may form a portion of the material contacting surface. The vacuum tool is effective for picking and placing one or more manufacturing parts utilizing a vacuum force.

The present invention provides systems, methods, and apparatus for a vacuum tool having a switchable plate, such that a common vacuum tool may be adapted with different plates. A switchable plate may form the entirety of the vacuum tool's material contacting surface or a switchable plate may form a portion of the material contacting surface. The vacuum tool is effective for picking and placing one or more manufacturing parts utilizing a vacuum force.