Digital Shoe Last and Upper Data Generation for Parallel Manufacturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing shoe manufacturing process is time-consuming as it requires producing a shoe last from a material that can withstand the braiding apparatus, limiting the material options and production methods, and necessitating the upper to be produced only after the shoe last is created.
Innovation Solution
A data generating apparatus and system that computes shoe last data and processing data for the upper, allowing for parallel production of the shoe last and upper, using a 3D printer or cutting apparatus, without relying on the traditional shoe last material and method, thereby shortening the manufacturing time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the shoe last is produced from material that can withstand the braiding apparatus, then the upper can be fitted to the shoe last by braiding, but the material options and production methods are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical braiding apparatus with a digital modeling and 3D printing system. Instead of using a physical shoe last that must withstand mechanical braiding forces, the invention creates a digital 3D model of the foot and directly 3D prints the upper, eliminating the need for a durable shoe last material and expanding material options to include various 3D printing materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy (3D model) of the foot shape instead of using a physical shoe last. This digital model is then used to generate the upper through 3D printing, replacing the physical copy-making process of traditional braiding while allowing greater versatility in material selection and production methods.
2Reliability
If the shoe last is produced first before the upper, then the upper can be fitted to the shoe last, but the manufacturing time is long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by creating a digital 3D model of the foot shape before production. This digital model contains all the necessary information for both the shoe last and upper design, allowing parallel processing and eliminating the sequential dependency where the upper must wait for the shoe last to be completed first.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the shoe last and upper into a single integrated 3D printing process. Instead of separately producing the shoe last and then fitting the upper, the system combines both components into one continuous manufacturing process, significantly reducing total manufacturing time while ensuring proper fit.
3Reliability
If the upper is produced only after the shoe last is created, then the upper can be fitted to the shoe last, but the production efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by creating a digital 3D model that contains all design information for both the shoe last and upper. This allows the manufacturing process to proceed in parallel or as a single integrated operation, eliminating the sequential bottleneck where upper production must wait for shoe last completion, thereby improving production efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical sequential process (shoe last production followed by upper production) with a digital modeling and 3D printing system. This substitution enables simultaneous or integrated production of both components, dramatically improving productivity while maintaining the reliability of the fit through digital precision.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A data generating apparatus (100) includes: an input unit (106) that receives foot shape data; a processor (102) that computes shoe last data from the foot shape data received by the input unit (106); and an output unit (108) that outputs the shoe last data computed by the processor (102). The processor (102) further computes processing data for processing a member that forms an upper of a shoe, based on the computed shoe last data. The output unit (108) further outputs the processing data computed by the processor (102).