Non-slip shoe soles with improved grip on all terrains
With EU funds of the project DEMOULTRAGRIP (Implementation of high grip designing tools), researchers filled the existing gap in anti-slip shoe sole design. They followed on the heels of the ULTRAGRIP project that resulted in a mathematical model to predict slip behaviour and guidelines for improving shoes' slip resistance. Researchers optimised the 3D computer-aided design model, including its coefficient of friction calculator as well as a configurator – software that aids in the configuration of a final product. Guidelines together with software streamline the design process for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that manufacture soles for shoes. Specifically, the DEMOULTRAGRIP team pulled together a plethora of sole samples covering 85 % of materials currently used for footwear soles. All these samples were used in slip tests to update the model. Test results showed good agreement between simulation predictions of the coefficient of friction. The next step was to optimise the software with international standards for slip resistance in mind. In parallel, industrial partners worked on their own ULTRAGRIP line of products and prepared to take the technology to market with the results of a market analysis and a plan for knowledge transfer. The outcome has been shared with their customers and the public through a series of brochures and videos made available here. DEMOULTRAGRIP has delivered a software suite and guidelines to support the design of slip-resistant shoe soles as an attractive alternative to empirical models. The tools will have a major impact on the productivity of SME sole designers, enabling them to improve the anti-slip properties of products and reducing time to market.
Keywords
Shoe soles, anti-slip sole, DEMOULTRAGRIP, ULTRAGRIP, slip resistance
