A method for assembling shoe components includes the steps of: providing at least two shoe components, a shoe last and a film unit; placing the at least two shoe components on an outer surface of the shoe last; removably covering an assembly of the at least two shoe components and the shoe last with the film unit such that the film unit and the shoe last cooperatively define a confining space therebetween; and pumping air out of the confining space and heating the at least two shoe components to shrink and deform the film unit so as to press the at least two shoe components to adhere tightly to each other.

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 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 tool and method for cutting an object three dimensionally is disclosed having a lower receiving plate comprising a cavity that is shaped and sized to fit a shoe last for placing a shoe sole on that is to be fully or partially cut, and an upper pressing plate comprising a segmented sub-plate comprising individually spring-backed segments, further comprising a cutting blade substantially surrounding each segment.

A method of manufacturing an article may include positioning a first textile sheet against a second textile sheet and reciprocating a single needle of an embroidery machine through the first textile sheet and the second textile sheet, the needle forcing fibers of the second textile sheet through the first textile sheet. The fibers may have terminal ends extending outward of an exterior side of the first textile sheet through which the fibers are forced. A method may include forcing fibers from a second side to an opposite side of a single textile sheet to create a pattern of the fibers on the opposite side. Various articles such as footwear uppers may be manufactured according to the method.

A method for assembling shoe components includes the steps of: providing at least two shoe components, a shoe last and a film unit; placing the at least two shoe components on an outer surface of the shoe last; removably covering an assembly of the at least two shoe components and the shoe last with the film unit such that the film unit and the shoe last cooperatively define a confining space therebetween; and pumping air out of the confining space and heating the at least two shoe components to shrink and deform the film unit so as to press the at least two shoe components to adhere tightly to each other.

A method for assembling shoe components includes the steps of: providing at least two shoe components, a shoe last and a film unit; placing the at least two shoe components on an outer surface of the shoe last; removably covering an assembly of the at least two shoe components and the shoe last with the film unit such that the film unit and the shoe last cooperatively define a confining space therebetween; and pumping air out of the confining space and heating the at least two shoe components to shrink and deform the film unit so as to press the at least two shoe components to adhere tightly to each other.

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.

Described are methods, systems, and devices for at least partly manufacturing a piece of apparel (e.g., a shoe), which incorporate manipulating at least one component of the piece of apparel with a particle jamming device.