A cutting support apparatus includes an input unit that receives shoe last data, a storage in which a shape and a type of a plurality of plate-like parts are stored, a processor that generates a cutting pattern for cutting the plurality of plate-like parts from a plate-like member having a predetermined size based on the shoe last data and the shape of the plurality of plate-like parts, and an output unit that outputs the cutting pattern. The processor divides an area of the plate-like parts to be arranged in the plate-like member into a plurality of areas in accordance with the type of the plate-like parts that form the shoe last, determines positions of the plurality of plate-like parts to be arranged in each of the areas based on an arrangement condition, and generates the cutting pattern.

A cutting support apparatus includes an input unit that receives shoe last data, a storage in which a shape and a type of a plurality of plate-like parts are stored, a processor that generates a cutting pattern for cutting the plurality of plate-like parts from a plate-like member having a predetermined size based on the shoe last data and the shape of the plurality of plate-like parts, and an output unit that outputs the cutting pattern. The processor divides an area of the plate-like parts to be arranged in the plate-like member into a plurality of areas in accordance with the type of the plate-like parts that form the shoe last, determines positions of the plurality of plate-like parts to be arranged in each of the areas based on an arrangement condition, and generates the cutting pattern.

A method of manufacturing a midsole for an article of footwear includes cutting a pattern of openings at least partway through a midsole with a cutting tool driven by an embroidery machine. An article of footwear includes a midsole defining a pattern of openings extending at least partway through the midsole. An inner surface of the midsole is contoured and the midsole includes upwardly-extending sidewalls. At least some of the openings extend relatively nonparallel with one another through the sidewalls and splay away from one another along longitudinal axes of the openings.

A method of manufacturing a midsole for an article of footwear includes cutting a pattern of openings at least partway through a midsole with a cutting tool driven by an embroidery machine. An article of footwear includes a midsole defining a pattern of openings extending at least partway through the midsole. An inner surface of the midsole is contoured and the midsole includes upwardly-extending sidewalls. At least some of the openings extend relatively nonparallel with one another through the sidewalls and splay away from one another along longitudinal axes of the openings.

An article of footwear flat pattern upper having an upper portion and a footbed portion is provided. The upper portion and the footbed portion are integrally continuous, such that the upper portion lateral side converges with the footbed lateral side. The flat pattern includes nested same-sided article of footwear with a reduced surplus portion there between. The articles of footwear includes the following continuous portions: the first medial side with a toe end, the toe end with a lateral side, the lateral side with a heel end, and the heel end with the second medial side. The first medial side and the second medial side are joined to form dimensional article of footwear.

An article of footwear flat pattern upper having an upper portion and a footbed portion is provided. The upper portion and the footbed portion are integrally continuous, such that the upper portion lateral side converges with the footbed lateral side. The flat pattern includes nested same-sided article of footwear with a reduced surplus portion there between. The articles of footwear include the following continuous portions: the first medial side with a toe end, the toe end with a lateral side, the lateral side with a heel end, and the heel end with the second medial side. The first medial side and the second medial side are joined to form a dimensional article of footwear.

An article of footwear flat pattern upper having an upper portion and a footbed portion is provided. The upper portion and the footbed portion are integrally continuous, such that the upper portion lateral side converges with the footbed lateral side. The flat pattern includes nested same-sided article of footwear with a reduced surplus portion there between. The articles of footwear include the following continuous portions: the first medial side with a toe end, the toe end with a lateral side, the lateral side with a heel end, and the heel end with the second medial side. The first medial side and the second medial side are joined to form a dimensional article of footwear.

A footwear component manufacturing fixture secures a component, such as a shoe sole, in a manner that allows for the processing of one or more surfaces of the component without obscuring the surfaces. The fixture has a fixed portion with a first compression surface and an adjustable portion having a second compression surface. The adjustable portion moves in relation to the fixed portion to compress one or more protrusions of the component between the compression surfaces to secure the component to the fixture for processing.

A footwear component manufacturing fixture secures a component, such as a shoe sole, in a manner that allows for the processing of one or more surfaces of the component without obscuring the surfaces. The fixture has a fixed portion with a first compression surface and an adjustable portion having a second compression surface. The adjustable portion moves in relation to the fixed portion to compress one or more protrusions of the component between the compression surfaces to secure the component to the fixture for processing.

An optical foot sole scanning apparatus, comprising: a) an element that is substantially in the shape of a plate or a wedge in the unloaded state and is made of a resilient material, having a foot placement side facing a foot sole of a human foot to be scanned when in use and having a scanner side, wherein the resilient material is at least partially light-transmissive, b) an optical scanner that is arranged on the scanner side of the element and is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation through the element at least in part onto the foot placement side of the element when in use and to record data when in use, and c) an evaluation unit that is connected to the optical scanner and is set up to perform a reconstruction of the three-dimensional shape of the foot sole from the data recorded by the optical scanner, and an orthopedic foot sole scanning system having same, an insole production apparatus having same, a method for ascertaining a three-dimensional shape of an insole having same, and a method for automatically producing an insole having same.