Manufacturing and assembly of a shoe or a portion of a shoe is enhanced by automated placement and assembly of shoe parts. For example, a part-recognition system analyzes an image of a shoe part to identify the part and determine a location of the part. Once the part is identified and located, the part can be manipulated by an automated manufacturing tool.

Manufacturing and assembly of a shoe or a portion of a shoe is enhanced by automated placement and assembly of shoe parts. For example, a part-recognition system analyzes an image of a shoe part to identify the part and determine a location of the part. Once the part is identified and located, the part can be manipulated by an automated manufacturing tool.

A last extension for a shoe last provides a pattern defining an origin location. The origin location on the last extension can be used to identify locations or points on a last or a shoe component on a last for control of location-critical manufacturing operations, including decorative and functional operations.

A last extension for a shoe last provides a pattern defining an origin location. The origin location on the last extension can be used to identify locations or points on a last or a shoe component on a last for control of location-critical manufacturing operations, including decorative and functional operations.

Systems and methods for automatically producing a cord structure are provided herein. In one embodiment, a method comprises automatically forming, with at least one robotic arm, a first plurality of loops in a first plane, and automatically forming, with the at least one robotic arm, a second plurality of loops in a second plane orthogonal to the first plane, the second plurality of loops slippably engaged with the first plurality of loops. In this way, cord structures may be quickly constructed, thereby reducing labor input and expense.

Systems and methods for automatically producing a cord structure are provided herein. In one embodiment, a method comprises automatically forming, with at least one robotic arm, a first plurality of loops in a first plane, and automatically forming, with the at least one robotic arm, a second plurality of loops in a second plane orthogonal to the first plane, the second plurality of loops slippably engaged with the first plurality of loops. In this way, cord structures may be quickly constructed, thereby reducing labor input and expense.

Described are a method and a system for automatically manufacturing shoes. The method includes automatically manufacturing a plurality of soles in a first station and automatically manufacturing a plurality of uppers in a second station, wherein the first and the second station are operating in parallel and are arranged in a common facility so that a manufactured sole and a manufactured upper can be transported to a joining station and be automatically joined there.

Described are a method and a system for automatically manufacturing shoes. The method includes automatically manufacturing a plurality of soles in a first station and automatically manufacturing a plurality of uppers in a second station, wherein the first and the second station are operating in parallel and are arranged in a common facility so that a manufactured sole and a manufactured upper can be transported to a joining station and be automatically joined there.

An apparatus for donning and doffing a stocking includes a frame including a base portion, a first rail having a first longitudinal axis, and a second rail having a second longitudinal axis. A first post is coupled with the first rail and is slidable in a direction parallel with the first longitudinal axis, and a second post is coupled with the second rail and is slidable in a direction parallel with the second longitudinal axis. A first clasp member is coupled with the first post and has a first prong adapted to engage a first portion of the stocking. A second clasp member is coupled with the second post and has a second prong adapted to engage a second portion of the stocking. A third clasp member is coupled with the base portion and has a third prong adapted to engage a third portion of the stocking.

An apparatus for donning and doffing a stocking includes a frame including a base portion, a first rail having a first longitudinal axis, and a second rail having a second longitudinal axis. A first post is coupled with the first rail and is slidable in a direction parallel with the first longitudinal axis, and a second post is coupled with the second rail and is slidable in a direction parallel with the second longitudinal axis. A first clasp member is coupled with the first post and has a first prong adapted to engage a first portion of the stocking. A second clasp member is coupled with the second post and has a second prong adapted to engage a second portion of the stocking. A third clasp member is coupled with the base portion and has a third prong adapted to engage a third portion of the stocking.