A method of producing a customized shoe last for individual fitting and shaping of the inner surface of the shoe includes production of a shoe last based on a precise shape and size of the digital foot model. The actual physical shape of the foot is converted into a foot model using 3D scanning. The digital foot model is divided into parts required for insertion and functioning of a mechanism, and simulation of the bend in the metatarsophalangeal and ankle joints. The parts of the foot obtained by dividing the digital model are then manufactured. An extendable mechanism to move the parts of the shoe last against each other in three axes of coordinates is developed, based the produced parts, an individual shoe last is manufactured in the form of a physical foot model, configured for personal fitting and shaping of an inner surface of the shoe.

A last for forming an upper of an article of footwear includes a first portion including a lateral side and a medial side that opposes the lateral side, and a second portion connected with and extending upward and transversely outward in an angled manner away from the first portion such that a terminal end of the second portion is distanced from the first portion. An exterior surface of the last can include a plurality of three dimensional structural surface components disposed over at least 50% of the exterior surface of the last.

A method for locating critical control points on a part or combination of parts during a manufacturing process involves mating, directly or indirectly, a jig extension to the part or parts. A pattern on the jig extension defines an origin point that is used to track the position of the part or parts during manufacturing, such as during location-sensitive operations. The jig extension may be a shoe last extension which connects to a shoe or shoe component via a shoe last.

A method for locating critical control points on a part or combination of parts during a manufacturing process involves mating, directly or indirectly, a jig extension to the part or parts. A pattern on the jig extension defines an origin point that is used to track the position of the part or parts during manufacturing, such as during location-sensitive operations. The jig extension may be a shoe last extension which connects to a shoe or shoe component via a shoe last.

A process for thermo-adhesive bonding of semi-finished products includes preparing an inner sock, an outer sock and an impermeable membrane provided with a thermo-adhesive disposed on an inner surface and/or an outer surface of the membrane; fitting the inner sock onto a rigid reference shape; fitting the membrane over the inner sock; fitting the outer sock over the membrane; heating the outer sock, the membrane and the inner sock arranged on the rigid reference shape in an oven until at least partial melting of the thermo-adhesive; cooling the outer sock, the membrane and the inner sock arranged on the rigid reference shape until cross-linking of the thermo-adhesive and stable bonding of the membrane to the outer sock and/or the inner sock. Also, exerting a substantially uniform pressure on the outer sock, the membrane and the inner sock disposed on the rigid reference shape during cooling, so as to compact them.

A method for locating critical control points on a part or combination of parts during a manufacturing process involves mating, directly or indirectly, a jig extension to the part or parts. A pattern on the jig extension defines an origin point that is used to track the position of the part or parts during manufacturing, such as during location-sensitive operations. The jig extension may be a shoe last extension which connects to a shoe or shoe component via a shoe last.

A shoe last holding device for clamping a shoe last including two spaced-apart clamped portions includes a base seat unit, a driving unit, and a clamping unit. The driving unit includes a pushing member movable relative to the base seat unit. The clamping unit includes two spaced-apart clamping elements pivotally mounted to the base seat unit. Each clamping element includes a force transmission end abutting against the pushing member and a clamping end opposite to the force transmission end. The pushing member is disposed between and movable toward and away from the clamping elements to drive the clamping elements to convert between a releasing state and a clamping state where the clamping ends engage the clamped portions, respectively.

A design support apparatus includes: an input unit that receives shoe last data; a processor (computing unit) that computes a cutting pattern of a sheet based on the shoe last data received by the input unit; and an output unit that outputs the cutting pattern of the sheet computed by the processor. The processor calculates an amount of correction in consideration of a shrinkage direction and a shrinkage coefficient of the sheet, and calculates the cutting pattern of the sheet by developing, on a plane, three-dimensional shape data that conforms to a dimension of the shoe last data, to thereby obtain a shape pattern of an upper, and incorporating the calculated amount of correction into the shape pattern of the upper.

A shoe last for air activation and air cooling utilized to heat and activate as well as cool and shape a semi-finished shoe made up of a midsole and a vamp includes a body, at least one inlet, and at least one jet outlet. The body has an outer surface. The at least one inlet is disposed on the outer surface of the body. The at least one jet outlet is disposed on the outer surface of the body, is spaced apart from the at least one inlet, and fluidly communicates with the at least one inlet. The semi-finished shoe is sleeved on the body and covers the at least one jet outlet. Gas is injected into the body via the at least one inlet, flows out of the body via the at least one jet outlet, and is ejected to the semi-finished shoe.

A shoe last for air activation and air cooling utilized to heat and activate as well as cool and shape a semi-finished shoe made up of a midsole and a vamp includes a body, at least one inlet, and at least one jet outlet. The body has an outer surface. The at least one inlet is disposed on the outer surface of the body. The at least one jet outlet is disposed on the outer surface of the body, is spaced apart from the at least one inlet, and fluidly communicates with the at least one inlet. The semi-finished shoe is sleeved on the body and covers the at least one jet outlet. Gas is injected into the body via the at least one inlet, flows out of the body via the at least one jet outlet, and is ejected to the semi-finished shoe.