A tool path for treating a shoe upper may be generated to treat substantially only the surface of the shoe bounded by a bite line. The bite line may be defined to correspond to the junction of the shoe upper and a shoe bottom unit. Bite line data and three-dimensional profile data representing at least a portion of a surface of a shoe upper bounded by a bite line may be utilized in combination to generate a tool path for processing the surface of the upper, such as automated application of adhesive to the surface of a lasted upper bounded by a bite line.

A tool path for treating a shoe upper may be generated to treat substantially only the surface of the shoe bounded by a bite line. The bite line may be defined to correspond to the junction of the shoe upper and a shoe bottom unit. Bite line data and three-dimensional profile data representing at least a portion of a surface of a shoe upper bounded by a bite line may be utilized in combination to generate a tool path for processing the surface of the upper, such as automated application of adhesive to the surface of a lasted upper bounded by a bite line.

The invention relates to measurement technology and is intended for measuring the shape, the internal dimensions and the flexibility of shoes. The proposed measurement method consists in using probes with indicators, which create tension on the measured surface. A camera and a flat marking band are used for tracing the shape of the internal surface of a shoe. On the basis of the sum of the images, a three-dimensional model of the internal surface of the tested shoe is made, and the flexibility properties are determined by scanning the object with different forces. A device comprises a body, a camera mounted therein, two or more probes with indicators, and a flat marking band. The invention makes it possible to increase accuracy and to reduce the labor intensiveness and time of measurements.

The invention relates to measurement technology and is intended for measuring the shape, the internal dimensions and the flexibility of shoes. The proposed measurement method consists in using probes with indicators, which create tension on the measured surface. A camera and a flat marking band are used for tracing the shape of the internal surface of a shoe. On the basis of the sum of the images, a three-dimensional model of the internal surface of the tested shoe is made, and the flexibility properties are determined by scanning the object with different forces. A device comprises a body, a camera mounted therein, two or more probes with indicators, and a flat marking band. The invention makes it possible to increase accuracy and to reduce the labor intensiveness and time of measurements.

Systems and methods are provided for collecting three-dimensional surface data of a lasted shoe upper that is mated with a sole that is configured for the lasted upper. The mated three-dimensional data is used with three-dimensional data of the lasted shoe upper in an unmated configuration with the sole to determine a location of an edge defined by the intersection of the lasted upper and the sole when mated. The bite line identifies an edge where the upper and a sole assembly will intersect on a finished shoe, which may represent a bounding line for application of adhesive to the lasted upper for boding the sole thereto.

Systems and methods are provided for collecting three-dimensional surface data of a lasted shoe upper that is mated with a sole that is configured for the lasted upper. The mated three-dimensional data is used with three-dimensional data of the lasted shoe upper in an unmated configuration with the sole to determine a location of an edge defined by the intersection of the lasted upper and the sole when mated. The bite line identifies an edge where the upper and a sole assembly will intersect on a finished shoe, which may represent a bounding line for application of adhesive to the lasted upper for boding the sole thereto.

A method for automated manufacturing of shoe soles comprises the steps of: loading a transfer device with at least one outsole element and at least one supporting element, positioning the loaded transfer device adjacent a first part and a second part of a sole mold, transferring the at least one outsole element from the transfer device to the first part and transferring the at least one supporting element from the transfer device to the second part of the sole mold, filling the sole mold with a plurality of individual particles, and applying a medium to bond and/or fuse the particles with each other and with the at least one outsole element.

A test fixture for soles includes a sole member, a heel cushion, a sole connector, a ring-shaped airbag, a torque connector, and an attaching assembly. The heel cushion is disposed on a heel section of the sole member and sandwiched in between the sole member and the sole connector. The airbag is disposed on the sole connector, and the torque connector is inserted in the airbag. The torque connector includes one end connected to the sole connector, and one opposite end connected to the attaching assembly disposed on the airbag.

A test fixture for soles includes a sole member, a heel cushion, a sole connector, a ring-shaped airbag, a torque connector, and an attaching assembly. The heel cushion is disposed on a heel section of the sole member and sandwiched in between the sole member and the sole connector. The airbag is disposed on the sole connector, and the torque connector is inserted in the airbag. The torque connector includes one end connected to the sole connector, and one opposite end connected to the attaching assembly disposed on the airbag.

A method for assembling a shoe upper and a bottom unit includes digitally determining a bite line on the shoe upper. The method further includes storing a set of data representing the bite line in a computing device. The method also includes utilizing the set of data to automatically indicate the location of an actual physical bite line on the shoe upper.