The process of making footwear

The process for manufacturing footwear has not changed significantly over time, the production is carried out
with mechanical machines and it is an artisanal process with very limited participation of machinery since the
production of the product is basically done by hand with rudimentary techniques.

Although there are several types of footwear, such as sports shoes, sandals, sneakers, suede shoes or others;
The manufacturing process is basically the same.

What does the process for manufacturing footwear consist of?

1. Storage of materials: The production of synthetic tennis footwear begins with the reception of the inputs at
the factory. The type of material, synthetic leather, inks, lacquers, soles, adhesives are classified and ordered.

2. Transportation to the process area: The selected materials are transported to the production area.

3. Cutting of pieces: It is carried out by molding according to the measurement required to shape the synthetic
leather, according to the model designed in an activity that may be external to the company.

4. Union of pieces: The pieces of a batch are brought together for subsequent production. Each shoe has 7 to
12 pieces depending on the model.

5. Cutting machining: Several processes are required:

 Foliated: it is the printing on the linings of the key, lot number, model, pair number, size or
measurement of the tennis shoe; for quick selection and identification.
 Engraving: printing the brand on the insole
 Perforation: in some cases it is carried out according to the design
 Bushing: before assembly, the bushing and counterhorse are placed. The cap is what gives strength
and shape to the toe of the shoe to give it greater consistency.

6. Assembled: The last is selected according to the numbering to shape, fix the sole using nails and cement,
this is done manually and a special machine is used to press so that the shoe is well made and shaped. Toes
and heels are assembled. Afterwards, the seating process is carried out, which consists of making the cut sit
perfectly on the last.

7. Soling by traditional gluing process: The soles are bought ready-made, first the sole is marked, then the
carding is carried out, in the part of the sole that has to be glued to the upper in a special machine, some
indentations are made so that The glue is better impregnated and then the sole is glued. To glue the sole, the
temperature is increased in a special machine that pressurizes the sole for 30 seconds; finally, the last is
removed.

8. Finishing: The insoles are glued, the edges of the soles and linings are painted, the upper and linings are
washed with special soap; The shoe is removed from stains from waste from the production process.

9. Pigmented: This is done in order to uniform the color, the tennis is touched up with lacquer to give it shine,
which is done with rotating brushes.

10. Packaging: The model number of the tennis shoe is printed and the product is stored in cardboard boxes.

11. Storage of the finished product: Once packed, the finished tennis shoes are classified on shelves, by style
and number.
To join the sole with the body of the product, there are different processes such as gluing and sewing. For
gluing, polyurethane adhesives are most commonly used since they provide greater durability for bonding the
sole to the footwear.

Polyurethane adhesive suppliers

Below we present Solder de México, supplier of polyurethane adhesives:

Solder from Mexico S. TO. of C. V. , is a company dedicated to the production and marketing of polyurethane
adhesives for application in the footwear industry.

Its adhesive products for sole covering include:

Product Description
It is a medium viscosity solvent-based polyurethane adhesive from the CROSSER line
CROSSER MT-760 (third generation polyurethanes). It is used in the footwear industry for the sole of sports
and casual shoes. It has very fast drying and strength development.
It is a solvent-based polyurethane adhesive with medium-high viscosity, high resistance,
used in the footwear industry mainly for the outsole of different types of materials. Its
CROSSER GP-730 rapid drying and high strength development allows it to be used in very high-pressure
processes. high productivity, and in the bonding of materials with high oil or plasticizer
content.
Translucent solvent-based polyurethane liquid, low viscosity, used in the footwear
CROSSER LC-754 industry mainly to reinforce and anchor porous surfaces such as leather and grease
deeper when using CROSSER line polyurethane adhesives.
It is a high initial grip, solvent-based, medium-high viscosity polyurethane adhesive from
CROSSER HS-725
the CROSSER line used in the footwear industry for Thermoplastic Rubber or TR soles.