An Introduction to Shoe Sole Designing

&
Sole Mould Making

A.V.Suresh
Footwear CAD expert
 A Glance at different manufacturing processes

Turning

Work Piece rotates

Tool Moves In Forward Translation

Planing /Shaping

Work Moves Forward

Tool Moves to & fro

Drilling

Work is fixed

Tool Moves forward and rotation

Milling

Work is fixed

Tool Moves In forward rotation

 Mould Nomenclature

Die
Mould Construction based on

•Type of Sole/material- PU, TPR,EVA,Blown

•Type of Machine(injection) - Horizontal

•Shoe construction- Moulded

•No. of Colours

Vertical
 Types of Moulds

PVC/TPR

Blown PVC
 Types of Moulds

PU

2 Colour

EVA
 Mould manufacturing process
Manual Machining

Shape
r
Pantograph

Flexible Grinder Tools

 Types of Mould manufacturing process

CAD/CAM/CNC

Casting
Epoxy Resin
Things to study before making sole mould

Study the Drawings carefully

Check data for sole moulding machine

- Injection types, holding size, opening ..

Consider shrinkage, allowances

Study the place of brand names, logos, size number etc

- does not change grading

Select the parting line

Things to study before making sole mould

Determine the number of parts to be made

- core , cavities, inserts
Choose the runner & gating positions & systems

Select guide pillar, bushes & position etc.

Determine the air venting holes position

Consider possibilities of sole ejection

Things to study before making sole mould

Determine the processes & Process of assembling

- multi color

Determine making process for each component

- Cavity &EDM, Inert- Manual

Determine the cooling systems

Steps involved in mould
making

1.Decide parting line

2.Decide how many parts a mould need

Core &
Insert

Cavity
 Steps involved in mould making

3. Making Core, Cavity & Inserts

4.Finishing

5.Fixing Core & Insert

6.Aligning Core & cavity

7. Creating Runners
 Steps involved in mould making

7. Creating Runners

8. Fitting core & cavity

9. Polishing , hardening, etching, sand blasting etc

10. Tryout
 Advantages of CAD/CNC mould
making
Accuracy of conversion from original Data Storage

Repeatability Cost

Control over quality Human skills

Later modifications Productivity

Software suitable for Sole designing/mould making

•Any Solid/Surface Modeling Software

•Software which have can export the data

to manufacturing links (NC path etc)

•Standard output format is IGES, 2D dxf

etc
 Software's available for Sole designing

Autodesk Powershape, Power Mill

Visi CAM

UniGraphics
MasterCAM

Solidworks
Cimetron
-Shoe Express

Pro-E