Described is a circularly-woven tube for an article of footwear or an article of apparel comprising: a plurality of warp yarns, having a first elastic modulus; a plurality of weft yarns, having a second elastic modulus, and wherein the second elastic modulus is smaller than the first elastic modulus.

Described is a circularly-woven tube for an article of footwear or an article of apparel comprising: a plurality of warp yarns, having a first elastic modulus; a plurality of weft yarns, having a second elastic modulus, and wherein the second elastic modulus is smaller than the first elastic modulus.

A shoemaking machine includes a sewing device having a cantilever unit, a work platform and a clamping frame unit. The cantilever unit has a sewing needle extending toward the clamping frame unit. A driving device is disposed on the cantilever unit, and includes a movable seat that is movable toward and away from the clamping frame unit. An ultrasonic positioning device is connected to the cantilever unit, and includes a welding head facing the clamping frame unit. The clamping device is connected to the movable seat and has a clamping space. The ultrasonic positioning device is inserted into the clamping space and is clamped by the clamping device.

A shoemaking machine includes a sewing device having a cantilever unit, a work platform and a clamping frame unit. The cantilever unit has a sewing needle extending toward the clamping frame unit. A driving device is disposed on the cantilever unit, and includes a movable seat that is movable toward and away from the clamping frame unit. An ultrasonic positioning device is connected to the cantilever unit, and includes a welding head facing the clamping frame unit. The clamping device is connected to the movable seat and has a clamping space. The ultrasonic positioning device is inserted into the clamping space and is clamped by the clamping device.

A stitching system includes a jig capable of joining two shoe parts and capable of being used in an automated stitching machine. The jig includes a lower member capable of being operably coupled to the automated stitching machine and an upper member also capable of being operably coupled to the automated stitching machine. The two shoe parts are held in place between the lower member and the upper member. The lower member, the upper member and the two shoe parts therebetween are moved by the automated stitching machine in accordance with a pattern stored in the automated stitching machine.

A system for stitching two parts of a shoe together includes a stitching machine with a head and a cylinder bed. The head has a needle base disposed on a lower end adjacent the cylinder bed such that the two shoe parts can be stitched together therebetween. A positioning mechanism has a curved drive frame and is capable of moving the curved drive frame in a rotating motion along the circumference of the curved drive frame and in a linear direction generally along an axis of the curved drive frame. A jig positions the two shoe parts with respect to one another and is coupled to the curved drive frame. The jig includes a curved support surface for supporting the two shoe parts.

A system for stitching two parts of a shoe together includes a stitching machine with a head and a cylinder bed. The head has a needle base disposed on a lower end adjacent the cylinder bed such that the two shoe parts can be stitched together therebetween. A positioning mechanism has a curved drive frame and is capable of moving the curved drive frame in a rotating motion along the circumference of the curved drive frame and in a linear direction generally along an axis of the curved drive frame. A jig positions the two shoe parts with respect to one another and is coupled to the curved drive frame. The jig includes a curved support surface for supporting the two shoe parts.

Presented are systems, methods, and devices for manufacturing articles of footwear using sacrificial straps to secure segments of the footwear to a manufacturing fixture. A method for manufacturing an article of footwear, such as an athletic shoe, includes providing first and second segments of the footwear's upper, such as the vamp and heel counter. A sacrificial strap is removably attached at opposing ends thereof to the first segment, e.g., proximate a read edge of the vamp. The first segment is placed on a manufacturing fixture, such as a foot-shaped last, and securely attached to the fixture by positioning the sacrificial strap around and against the fixture. The second segment of the upper is attached, e.g., via stitching or bonding, to the first segment. Once attached, the upper is removed from the manufacturing fixture, and the sacrificial strap is cut, torn or otherwise permanently disconnected from the footwear.

Methods and systems are disclosed for apparel assembly using three-dimensional printing directly onto fabric apparel materials. Disclosed is a method and system for direct three-dimensional printing and assembly of an article of apparel, including designing a three-dimensional pattern for printing, positioning at least a portion of the article on a tray in a three-dimensional printing system, the portion being positioned substantially flat on the tray, printing a three-dimensional material directly onto the article using the designed pattern, curing the printed material, and removing the article from the three-dimensional printing system.

Methods and systems are disclosed for apparel assembly using three-dimensional printing directly onto fabric apparel materials. Disclosed is a method and system for direct three-dimensional printing and assembly of an article of apparel, including designing a three-dimensional pattern for printing, positioning at least a portion of the article on a tray in a three-dimensional printing system, the portion being positioned substantially flat on the tray, printing a three-dimensional material directly onto the article using the designed pattern, curing the printed material, and removing the article from the three-dimensional printing system.