Project description
New 3D bonding to switch stitching
From the first shoe stitching machine invented in the 1850s to today’s computer-controlled stitching machines used in many shoe factories, a new polymer injection process is now expected to disrupt the shoemaking industry. Funded by the European Innovation Council, the 3D Bonding project will advance highly automated and robotised manufacturing of high-end footwear. Specifically, a polymer injection process can be used to bond materials in 3D (instead of stitching). This creates a stable skeleton without overlapping seams. This technology eliminates the need for complex stitching operations, improving the mechanical properties of the footwear (adaptation, comfort and permeability). The overarching aim is to boost the manufacturing process, reduce delivery times and strengthen the EU economy.
Objective
The 3D BONDING project addresses a disruptive process, based on a family of patents (Simplicity Works- PCT/ES2012/07001369) for highly automated and robotised manufacturing of high-end footwear. Through a polymer injection process, we bond materials in 3D (instead of stitching), that creates a stable skeleton without overlapping seams, in a few seconds. This technology eliminates the need of complex stitching operations, improving the mechanical properties foot the footwear (adaptation, comfort, and permeability). 3D Bonding simplifies footwear manufacturing reducing the total number of operations to 20 (70 for traditional manufacturing), reducing labour costs associated to stitching and assembly by 72%, and using 50% less material. Moreover, the carbon footprint is 13% less than a traditionally made product. Our 3D BONDING project can bring back to EU the manufacturing process, resulting in reduced delivery times, multiple job positions and a stronger economy for the EU.
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Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-EIC-ACC-BF - HORIZON EIC Accelerator Blended FinanceCoordinator
03202 Elche
Spain
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.