Shoe Last Extension Reference Pattern for Robotic Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manufacturing of shoes involves labor-intensive processes where human operators compensate for variations in materials, tooling, and conditions, leading to reduced precision in shoe production.
Innovation Solution
A last extension that can be manipulated by mechanized processes, such as robotic arms, to determine a common origin location across various last extensions, allowing multiple mechanisms to automate processes traditionally performed by humans.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If human operators perform shoe manufacturing processes, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but manufacturing precision and productivity are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a last extension as an intermediary component between the shoe last and automated manufacturing equipment. This extension includes a mounting mechanism with a pattern that serves as a common reference point, enabling automated systems to accurately locate and manipulate shoe components without direct human intervention while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The last extension serves multiple functions: it provides a mounting mechanism for attaching to the shoe last, establishes a common reference pattern for automated equipment, and enables various manufacturing operations (stitching, cementing, assembling) to be performed with consistent precision across different phases of shoe production.
2Manufacturing precision
If human operators compensate for variations in materials and tooling, then adaptability is maintained, but manufacturing precision and consistency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The last extension is pre-configured with a mounting mechanism and reference pattern before the shoe manufacturing process begins. This preliminary setup establishes a consistent common reference point that automatically compensates for variations in materials and tooling throughout production, eliminating the need for continuous human adjustment while maintaining precision.
3Productivity
If multiple mechanisms are used to manipulate shoe components, then productivity increases, but coordination and positioning accuracy become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the manufacturing system into multiple independent mechanisms (stitching machines, cementing machines, assembling robots) that each manipulate specific shoe components. The last extension with its common reference pattern serves as a unifying coordinate system that enables these segmented operations to be performed in sequence with accurate positioning, thereby increasing overall productivity without sacrificing precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for locating critical control points on a part or combination of parts during a manufacturing process involves mating, directly or indirectly, a jig extension to the part or parts. A pattern on the jig extension defines an origin point that is used to track the position of the part or parts during manufacturing, such as during location-sensitive operations. The jig extension may be a shoe last extension which connects to a shoe or shoe component via a shoe last.