Shoe Last with Recessed Alignment Marks for Plate-Assembled Uppers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manufacturing of shoes using a last formed by assembling multiple plate-shaped parts results in gaps on the surface, making it difficult to align the shoe upper forming material correctly during the formation process.
Innovation Solution
A last is designed with recessed portions on its forming surface, defined by plate-shaped parts, which serve as alignment marks for the shoe upper forming material, and a shoe upper forming tool that includes a string-shaped fixing member to securely hold the material in place using these recessed portions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a last is manufactured by assembling multiple plate-shaped parts, then the last can be easily fabricated and adapted to different foot shapes, but gaps are produced on the surface making it difficult to align the shoe upper forming material
Solution Approach 1:
The last is divided into multiple plate-shaped parts that can be assembled together, allowing easy fabrication and adaptation to different foot shapes while maintaining the ability to create precise alignment features
Solution Approach 2:
Recessed portions are formed in advance on the surface of the last at specific positions before the shoe upper forming material is applied. These pre-formed recesses serve as alignment marks that guide the correct positioning of the material, eliminating alignment difficulties despite the segmented construction
2Adaptability or versatility
If plate-shaped parts are arranged spaced apart to define a specific region, then the structure allows for modular assembly, but gaps are created that complicate the positioning of the shoe upper
Solution Approach 1:
The last is constructed from multiple plate-shaped parts arranged spaced apart, enabling modular assembly and adaptability. Each plate can be independently positioned and secured, providing versatility in construction
Solution Approach 2:
Recessed portions are pre-formed on the surface of the plate-shaped parts at locations corresponding to where alignment is needed. These recesses protrude into the space between the plates, creating continuous alignment references across the modular structure, thus simplifying positioning operations
Data Source
AI summary
According to a last, in a forming surface for forming a shoe upper, at least a portion of a specific region corresponding to an upper end portion of a to-be-formed portion of the shoe upper is defined by a plurality of plate-shaped parts included in a plurality of last forming parts. By arranging the plate-shaped parts to be spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction of an upper end portion of the shoe upper, a portion of the specific region that is defined by the plate-shaped parts is defined by an end surface of each of the plate-shaped parts. A recessed portion as a mark used for alignment with the last during overlaying of the shoe upper is in the portion of the specific region that is defined by the plate-shaped parts.