Buffing of a footwear component allows for an alteration of the component surface to achieve an intended surface for aesthetics and/or manufacturing purposes. The buffing is performed in a system having a vision module, a sidewall buffing module, an up surface buffing module, and a down surface buffing module. Each of the buffing modules are adapted for the unique shape and sizes of a footwear component to effectively and automatically buff the footwear component.

A method for making a moisture-permeable waterproof shoe includes: (A) sleeving an inner sleeve unit on a last; (B) coating a bonding agent on an inner surface of an upper unit; (C) sleeving the upper unit on an assembly of the inner sleeve unit and the last; (D) placing an assembly of the upper unit, the inner sleeve unit and the last in a heating device; (E) placing the assembly in a vacuum bag; (F) placing the vacuum bag in a freezing device; (G) removing the assembly from the vacuum bag; (H) pulling out the last from the inner sleeve unit; and (I) fixing a sole to a bottom portion of a three-dimensional upper structure.

A method for making a moisture-permeable waterproof shoe includes: (A) sleeving an inner sleeve unit on a last; (B) coating a bonding agent on an inner surface of an upper unit; (C) sleeving the upper unit on an assembly of the inner sleeve unit and the last; (D) placing an assembly of the upper unit, the inner sleeve unit and the last in a heating device; (E) placing the assembly in a vacuum bag; (F) placing the vacuum bag in a freezing device; (G) removing the assembly from the vacuum bag; (H) pulling out the last from the inner sleeve unit; and (I) fixing a sole to a bottom portion of a three-dimensional upper structure.

Buffing of a footwear component allows for an alteration of the component surface to achieve an intended surface for aesthetics and/or manufacturing purposes. The buffing is performed in a system having a vision module, a sidewall buffing module, an up surface buffing module, and a down surface buffing module. Each of the buffing modules are adapted for the unique shape and sizes of a footwear component to effectively and automatically buff the footwear component.

A method for making a moisture-permeable waterproof shoe includes: (A) sleeving an inner sleeve unit on a last; (B) coating a bonding agent on an inner surface of an upper unit; (C) sleeving the upper unit on an assembly of the inner sleeve unit and the last; (D) placing an assembly of the upper unit, the inner sleeve unit and the last in a heating device; (E) placing the assembly in a vacuum bag; (F) placing the vacuum bag in a freezing device; (G) removing the assembly from the vacuum bag; (H) pulling out the last from the inner sleeve unit; and (I) fixing a sole to a bottom portion of a three-dimensional upper structure.

A method for making a moisture-permeable waterproof shoe includes: (A) sleeving an inner sleeve unit on a last; (B) coating a bonding agent on an inner surface of an upper unit; (C) sleeving the upper unit on an assembly of the inner sleeve unit and the last; (D) placing an assembly of the upper unit, the inner sleeve unit and the last in a heating device; (E) placing the assembly in a vacuum bag; (F) placing the vacuum bag in a freezing device; (G) removing the assembly from the vacuum bag; (H) pulling out the last from the inner sleeve unit; and (I) fixing a sole to a bottom portion of a three-dimensional upper structure.

An apparatus for buffing a shoe part includes a housing adapted to be articulated around at least a portion of the footwear part. A rotating spindle is positioned in the housing and has a buffing surface for engagement with the footwear part. A carriage is slideably connected to the housing and holds the spindle such that the buffing surface can be moved closer to and further away from the footwear part. An actuator is in the housing and in contact with the carriage. The actuator applies force to the carriage to increase the force of the buffing surface onto the footwear part. A biasing member is in the housing and in contact with the carriage. The biasing member exerts force onto the carriage in a direction opposite the force exerted by the actuator.

An apparatus for buffing a shoe part includes a housing adapted to be articulated around at least a portion of the footwear part. A rotating spindle is positioned in the housing and has a buffing surface for engagement with the footwear part. A carriage is slideably connected to the housing and holds the spindle such that the buffing surface can be moved closer to and further away from the footwear part. An actuator is in the housing and in contact with the carriage. The actuator applies force to the carriage to increase the force of the buffing surface onto the footwear part. A biasing member is in the housing and in contact with the carriage. The biasing member exerts force onto the carriage in a direction opposite the force exerted by the actuator.

An apparatus for buffing a shoe part includes a housing adapted to be articulated around at least a portion of the footwear part. A rotating spindle is positioned in the housing and has a buffing surface for engagement with the footwear part. A carriage is slideably connected to the housing and holds the spindle such that the buffing surface can be moved closer to and further away from the footwear part. An actuator is in the housing and in contact with the carriage. The actuator applies force to the carriage to increase the force of the buffing surface onto the footwear part. A biasing member is in the housing and in contact with the carriage. The biasing member exerts force onto the carriage in a direction opposite the force exerted by the actuator.

An apparatus for buffing a shoe part includes a housing adapted to be articulated around at least a portion of the footwear part. A rotating spindle is positioned in the housing and has a buffing surface for engagement with the footwear part. A carriage is slideably connected to the housing and holds the spindle such that the buffing surface can be moved closer to and further away from the footwear part. An actuator is in the housing and in contact with the carriage. The actuator applies force to the carriage to increase the force of the buffing surface onto the footwear part. A biasing member is in the housing and in contact with the carriage. The biasing member exerts force onto the carriage in a direction opposite the force exerted by the actuator.