An automatic lacing mechanism automatically laces between two shoe pieces, and includes a clamping module, a positioning module, a shoelace-running module, and a shoelace-arranging module. The clamping module is adapted to fixedly clamp shoe pieces. The positioning module is adapted to position the shoe pieces prior to the shoe pieces are fixedly clamped, so that the clamping module could firmly clamp the shoe pieces. The shoelace-running module is adapted to run the shoelace through the lace eyelets on the shoe pieces. The shoelace-arranging module is adapted to change the direction of the shoelace during lacing. The positioning module has two positioning pins, wherein a distance therebetween is adjustable, and therefore the positioning module is suitable for the positioning of footwear having different distances between its lace eyelets, which could make the automatic lacing process smoother.

A junction line data generation method includes scanning a first junction component and a second junction component by using an image capturing device for generating three-dimensional first junction component modeling data of the first junction component and generating three-dimensional second junction component modeling data of the second junction component, simulating a first junction component structure by using the three-dimensional first junction component modeling data, simulating a second junction component structure by using the three-dimensional second junction component modeling data, and generating junction line data between the first junction component and the second junction component by optionally deforming the first junction component structure and/or the second junction component structure according to the first junction component structure and the second junction component structure.

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.

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.

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.

The process for realizing an upper for shoes consists of using at least a first and second group of needles of a needle-bearing cylinder of a circular knitting machine, each needle of said first group and of said second group of needles being used in a tuck stitch or loop position and/or in a plain drop stitch position and/or in a missed stitch position at least during the forward rotation of said needle-bearing cylinder, said at least first and second group of needles being used alternatively in said at least forward rotation of said needle-bearing cylinder so as to knit several yarns together without having to continuously cut them.

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.

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.