Abstract:
Shoes specifically designed to facilitate production via efficient shoe manufacturing methods and systems are described. In embodiments, the shoe upper is designed by way of a flat forming process, whereby the upper pattern is kept in a two-dimensional shape for most of the upper assembly and then stitched or otherwise affixed into a three-dimensional form in the final stage of upper assembly.
Abstract:
Customized articles of footwear are produced by defining options that can be selected by a customer when submitting a custom order. These options typically include model options, functional options, and aesthetic options. These options are created by a design source, such as a shoe designer within a particular market, and presented to the customer when making the order. Upon a customer selecting one or more of the options at a user interface, the selected options are converted to specifications associated with the order. A work-load engine is employed to generate, based on the specifications, a work order that includes a dataflow for selecting appropriate stations on a manufacturing floor to participate in a manufacturing process, and a workflow for instructing each of the appropriate stations to perform a sequence of operations, within the manufacturing process, that result in fabricating individual components of the article of footwear according to the order.
Abstract:
Shoes having midsoles with heel support, specifically designed to facilitate production via efficient shoe manufacturing methods and systems are described. In embodiments, the shoe upper is designed by way of a flat forming process. Additionally, in embodiments upper forms may be coupled with dual hardness midsole structures that provide heel support and eliminate the need for a heel counter in the shoe upper.