Embodiments are directed to manufacturing footwear. A first outer mold shell and a second outer mold shell may be provided. A first inner mold body and a second inner mold body may be manufactured. The first and second inner mold bodies may have respective first and second inner mold surfaces. The second inner mold surface, together with the first inner mold surface, may define an internal mold volume. The first and second inner mold bodies may be removably coupled to the respective first and second outer mold shells to form first and second hybrid side rings. The first hybrid side ring and the second hybrid side ring may be installed in an automated injection molding machine. The installed first hybrid side ring may be moved toward the installed second hybrid side ring to provide the internal mold volume. One or more liquids may be injected into the internal mold volume.

A system for managing foot length information of a growing person is to be provided. A foot length information management system includes: a measurement unit that measures foot length; a storage unit that stores multiple patterns of growth curve information; an age information input unit into which age information of a customer is entered; and a growth curve information selecting unit that refers to the age information to select growth curve information corresponding to foot length measured by the measurement unit, from among the multiple patterns of growth curve information. The foot length information management system may further include a recording unit in which past foot length is recorded, and the growth curve information selecting unit may select growth curve information based on foot length recorded in the recording unit and foot length measured by the measurement unit.

A data generating apparatus generates shoe last data for manufacturing a shoe from measured foot shape data. The data generating apparatus includes: an input unit that receives the foot shape data; a processor that computes the shoe last data from the foot shape data received by the input unit; and an output unit that outputs the shoe last data computed by the processor. The input unit further receives selected additional information. The processor specifies a portion of the shoe last data to be corrected, based on the additional information, and calculates an amount of correction of the specified portion based on the additional information.

An example method may comprise determining, based at least on one or more images, one or more areas of wear indicative of worn portions of an article such as an article of footwear. The example method may comprise mapping the one or more areas of wear to a two dimensional wear model. The example method may comprise determining, based at least on the one or more images, a severity of wear of one or more of the one or more areas of wear. The example method may comprise determining, based on the two dimensional wear model and the severity of wear of each of the one or more areas of wear, a pattern for a custom article. The example method may comprise outputting a machine-readable code representing the pattern. The machine-readable code may be configured to be processed by a machine to cause manufacture of at least a portion of the custom article.

A computer-implemented method performable with an imaging device comprises selecting a frame from a video feed output with the imaging device during a movement of the imaging device relative to a body part and detecting the body part in the frame. If the body part is detected, a first process is performed comprising: calculating an azimuth angle of the imaging device relative to the body part, calculating a metering region for the body part, and measuring a motion characteristic of the movement. The method also involves qualifying the frame based on at least one of the azimuth angle and the motion characteristic. If the frame is qualified, a second process is performed comprising: adjusting a setting of the imaging device based on the metering region, capturing an image of the body part with the imaging device based on the setting, identifying a location of the image relative to the body part based on the azimuth angle, and associating the image with a reference to the location.

A shoe manufacturing system (100) processes a to-be-bonded surface (11a) of an upper (11) before bonding a sole to the upper (11). The shoe manufacturing system (100) includes a holding platform (10), a camera (20a, 20b), an applicator (30), a robot arm (40), and a control device (60). The control device (60) identifies a boundary of the to-be-bonded surface (11 a) of the upper (11) that is to serve as a master model M among a plurality of uppers (11), for defining an area of the to-be-bonded surface (11 a) to be processed, based on three-dimensional shape data of the master model M acquired by the camera (20a). The control device (60) controls the robot arm (40) for each of the uppers (11) (such as products P1 to P3) other than the master model M, to cause the applicator (30) to apply an adhesive to the area of the to-be-bonded surface (11a) enclosed by the identified boundary.

A method for obtaining foot analysis data for a manufacture of an insole, comprising: subjecting at least one foot of a person to a three-dimensional (3D) scanning apparatus (200); performing a first 3D scanning of a shape of the foot, wherein the person is standing in a straight position (202); performing a second 3D scanning of the shape of said foot, wherein the person provides excess pressure on the foot by squatting (204); and performing a third 3D scanning of the shape of said foot, wherein toes of the foot are lifted up (206).

An apparatus and method for determining contours of a patient's foot ankle and lower leg. The apparatus includes an alignment structure that orientates the foot for imaging. The alignment structure includes at least one support member that engages the plantar surface of the foot substantially only in the immediate area of the lateral metatarsal heads of the foot, preferably the fifth metatarsal head. The support generates a dorsally-directed force that locks the midtarsal joint. The alignment structure further includes a saddle that engages the rearfoot and a laser beam for aligning the second metatarsal head with the distal one-third of the lower leg to place the subtalar joint in a neutral condition. The foot is thus suspended in space such that imaging is able to produce an accurate measurement of the subject areas of the foot, ankle and lower leg without distortion of the soft tissues or bone structure.

A method to generate orthotic product recommendations for users includes receiving interactions from a user including identification of one or more extremity areas of the user's body, the one or more extremity areas relevant to selection of one or more orthotic products. On-screen cues and interactions are provided to assist in positioning of the one or more extremity areas relative to one or more imaging sensors. Scan data is received from the one or more imaging sensors. A model of the one or more extremity areas is generated based on the scan data including estimating one or more complete circumferences of the one or more extremity areas. One or more orthotic products are identified based on a comparison of the model of the one or more extremity areas and one or more factors associated with the user and a plurality of orthotic products. A recommendation is provided that includes the one or more orthotic products.

Embodiments are directed to manufacturing footwear. A first outer mold shell and a second outer mold shell may be provided. A first inner mold body and a second inner mold body may be manufactured. The first and second inner mold bodies may have respective first and second inner mold surfaces. The second inner mold surface, together with the first inner mold surface, may define an internal mold volume. The first and second inner mold bodies may be removably coupled to the respective first and second outer mold shells to form first and second hybrid side rings. The first hybrid side ring and the second hybrid side ring may be installed in an automated injection molding machine. The installed first hybrid side ring may be moved toward the installed second hybrid side ring to provide the internal mold volume. One or more liquids may be injected into the internal mold volume.