Shoes have not only become a necessity of our life, but also a way to show our own style, and more importantly, an embodiment and pursuit of fashion trends in our modern society. We all walk around in our favorite shoes every day, so could you imagine how shoes are made in factory China ? Have you heard anything about the process of shoes making? Will it be very complex and difficult? Would you like to know about the professional process of shoes making? Take a few minutes to browse this article! Don’t miss it.
What I will do in this article is that introduce the professional process of shoes making in factory China. Here is the flowchart of professional process of shoes making, which is written according to the shoe factory manufacturing process standard of XIN DE SHENG SHOES FACTORY, (hereinafter referred to as XIN DE SHENG SHOES FACTORY). As we can see from the flowchart, the shoe factory in China as other countries around the world follow the basic steps to make a shoe. With complex process, the shoe factory need have professional standards of shoe making. The process of shoe making in a shoe factory must be carried out in strict accordance with its established production standards. In total, this article has 25 steps of shoe making process in the shoe factory. The following elements mainly consist of the specific steps of each process.
1.Shape Heel
The professional process of shoes making start with shaping heel in the shoe factory that concludes the following points:
①Use the mold correctly and distinguish between the left and right feet according to the marks on the mold.
②The setting temperature is 90 ℃ – 110 ℃ on upper and lower mold in the shoe factory.
③The setting time in the shoe factory: pneumatic pressure, pressing with cold and hot for 10 seconds respectively; the air pressure is higher than 3 kg.
④When shaped in the process of shoes making, the midpoint of the heel should be aligned, the eyelet should be justified alignment and the heel of the upper should be completely consistent with the mold.
⑤When shaped in the process of shoes making, make a gesture, put it in the right position and pull back to tighten the upper.
2.String Lasting
After shaping the heel, the shoe factory workers will string the lasting that means the string last lining is sewn together with the vamp, that is, the second step of the professional process of shoe making. Here are the essentials.
①Distinguish the number and the left and right feet. The starting and ending needle on the midpoint of the heel need to overlap 5 stitches, and the tightness of machine sewing thread should be moderate.
②Align the anchor point of the front and rear, the left and right. And the gap or overlap between the lining and vamp is less than 1 mm.
③The standards in the shoe factory: edge distance ≤ 3mm (amplitude：6mm); stitch space ≤ 4mm.
3.Prepare Last and Steam Vamp and Put on Last
After stringing the lasting, the shoe factory workers will prepare the last, steam the vamp and put the last into the shoes. That is the third step in the process of shoes making. In this part, the operations are divided into following points.
①The shoe factory workers need to check for the correctness of last type. And it is no code and no replaceable last.
②Steaming: the steam cylinder should be aligned with the midpoint of the vamp at a temperature higher than 100℃ in the shoe factory. And not only should the vamp be steamed and soft but also could not be damaged by steaming. The vamp should not be steamed for less than 25 seconds / piece in the shoe factory.
③Put on last: distinguish the left and right feet, and place the most tight position of the top of the hand.
④The left’ s upper should be consistent with the right feet’ s. And they are also the same with the remaining skin of feet, without skew or length.
4.Brush White Latex
Now that the previous three parts are prepared, then the step of shoe making process is to brush white latex. In this part, it has 3 key points.
①Match a pair of shoes; the upper, insole board and last are well arranged.
②The adhesive width of the insole is 18-20 mm in the shoe factory.
③The adhesive width of upper in the shoe factory: 16-18mm for female, 18-20mm for male.
5.Toe Lasting
After brushing the white latex, the toe lasting is the fourth step of the process of shoes making. In this shoe factory, the operation includes 4 points.
①Adjust the machine, tightener and cross lamp according to the front arc of last.
②In the shoe factory, the time of pressing the toe lasting is 5 seconds, and the pressure is 20-30kg. The protective gasket should be added to the tongue.
③In the shoe factory, when pressing and shaping, the toe part and heel are not skewed and the toe part does not send feet. The eyelet part must be the inner high and outer low and its difference is 1.5mm. The collar must be the inner high and the outer low and their difference is 2mm. The size of the vamp foot is 1cm wide, and the periphery is consistent.
④When the shoe factory workers wrap the toe lasting, they must not take the upper back.
6.The Lasting
After the completion of the previous five steps, next process of shoes making is the lasting. This part includes five points. And our shoes factory adopts the whole lasting in the manufacturing process.
①Make sure that the size of last is consistent with that of upper.
②In the shoe factory, when the lasting, press the right thumb on the middle lining and push it to the heel. Fix the toe on the other four fingers, and have the action of retracting at the same time.
③After the lasting, pull down your hands to make the middle lining in the center of the last bottom. Inside the shoe, stick the last on the outside waist of vamp, and check whether the heel height is in the place of the last position line.
④The last is consistent with the center line of upper and the toe height is the same.
⑤The middle lining should be parallel to the last, not more on one side or less on the other, and the lining in the toe should be shrunk by 2mm in the shoe factory.
7.String Waist Lasting
Once the lasting is prepared, the shoe factory workers will prepare to string waist lasting. That is the 7th step in the process of shoe making, which concludes the three points.
①Pull up the waist lasting with adjustable joint pliers and tap it to bond with the insole.
②In terms of the production standards of the shoe factory, the upper and middle waist should be completely attached to the last.
③In terms of the production standards of the shoe factory, the vamp foot is fully aligned with the midsole anchor point.
8.Hit Seat Lasting
Once the last part is prepared, the shoe factory workers will prepare to hit the seat lasting which is the 8th step in the process of shoes making. In this part, the operations are divided into six points.
①Adjust the height according to the heel radian of the seat lasting machine of the last type.
②In the shoe factory, the time of press is 2-4 seconds and the pressure is 35 kg.
③ Need to soften. Do not skew. No angle. Round straight. No deformation.
④It must be the same height of left and right feet of the same code segment.
⑤The bulging part of the special shoes should be knocked flat and the strength should be appropriate.
⑥In terms of the production standards of the shoe factory, the lining should be level with the last.
9.Tie Shoelaces
After the completion of the previous 8 steps, in this shoe factory, next process of shoes making is to tie the shoelaces. This part includes three key points.
①According to the shape of the top line, the tightness of each shoelace is moderate, and the eye stay part can not be deformed or wrinkled.
②The tongue and the protective tongue pad should be placed right, straight and not wrinkled, and the lace holes of shoes are full with shoelaces.
③The width of the top line should be parallel, not trumpet shape. The side vamp should be straight, and the upper should be attached to the last.
10.Marking- off Line
Once the last part is prepared, the shoe factory workers will prepare to mark-off line which is the 10th step in the process of shoes making. In this part, the operations are divided into following points.
①At the toe cap, its counter pocket need to use a compass to fix the point according to the specified height standard.
②Distinguish between the left and right feet, and ensure that it is consistent about the height of the counter pocket of each pair of shoes, adjusting it appropriately.
③The upper and marking-off mold are vertical to the pen of line drawing with highly dense, drawing a line along the side wall of the mold side. The line point must be clear, smooth, and accurate. Draw the line to connect a circle. And it is the same that the height of inside and outside and the right and left feet is the same (except for special types).
④The barometric pressure is based on densification (the general pressure is 1.5-3 pas in terms of the production standards of the shoe factory).
11.Vulcanize on the Top/Bottom
Now that the marking-off line is prepared, then the 11th step of shoe making process is to vulcanize on the top and the bottom. The specific operation of each part in the shoe factory is shown below.
Add sulfur on the top:
①When adding sulfur in the process of shoe making, the bottom must be paired.
②Place shoes at least 2cm apart.
Add sulfur on the bottom:
①When adding sulfur in the process of shoe making, the bottom must be paired. And it is ensured that there are no errors about the bottom , shape, color and code segment.
12. Match Outsole
Once the last part is prepared, the shoe factory workers will prepare to match outsole with each pair of shoes which is the 12th step in the process of shoes making. In this part, the operations are divided into two points.
①Check the shape, color, number and the bottom and ensure that they are no differences.
②The upper and bottom are placed vertically on the remit-tent conveyor belts.
13.Brush the Bottom
After matching the outsole, the shoe factory workers will prepare to brush the bottom–the 12th step in the process of shoes making. The specific operation is shown below.
①In the shoe factory, it requires back brushing thoroughly at the high and low parts.
②The newly prepared cyclohexanone shall not be used for more than 2 hours.
③Trim the brush evenly. The upper shall be tilted about 15℃ to the sole, and it is strictly forbidden to overflow 2mm.
④After cyclohexanone, there should be no oily material residue in the attaching part.
14.Once Cyclohexanone on the Vamp
Now that the marking-off line is prepared, then the 14th step of shoe making process is to be once cyclohexanone on the vamp. In this part, the operations are divided into four points.
①Hide the drawing line, the upper should be in the joint and need to hide the drawing line. In the shoe factory, it requires back brushing thoroughly at the high and low parts.
②The newly prepared cyclohexanone shall not be used for more than 2 hours.
③Trim the brush evenly. The upper shall be tilted about 15℃ to the sole, and it is strictly forbidden to overflow 2mm.
④After cyclohexanone, there should be no oily material residue in the attaching part.
15.Once/ Twice Glue on the Upper
Once the last part is prepared, the shoe factory workers will prepare to be once and twice glue on the upper which is the 15th step in the process of shoes making. The glues are not fixed and needs to be formulated. The shoes factory of XIN DE SHENG SHOES FACTORY selects different primers or cements according to the different upper materials. In this process of shoes making, the operations are divided into following points.
①Brush the glue evenly along the drawing line–a circle about 1m. The joint should be brushed back and there are no such phenomenons that the shortage, overflow, accumulation and leakage of glue happens. Meantime, it should not exceed the brushing area when gluing, and it is preferred to brush thinly and evenly.
②The middle part of the lining should be evenly brushed with glue.
③Once glue on the upper: it starts to brush from the outer waist top in the left shoe and brush from the inner waist top in the right shoe. The shoes factory has a standard that the marking-off needs to be hidden completely.
④Twice glue on the upper: it starts to brush from the inner waist heel in the left shoe and brush from the outer waist heel in the right shoe. The standard of this process of shoes making is that it should exceed one line.
16.Brush Outsole with Glue
Once the last part is prepared, the shoe factory workers will prepare to brush outsole with glue–the 15th step in the process of shoes making. The shoes factory of XIN DE SHENG SHOES FACTORY adopts different mixed glues on the basis of different outsole materials. The specific operation is shown below.
①First, brush with glue levelly along the edge of side wall, then brush vertically. It should be brushed evenly on the side wall of the sole. Do not lack of glue. Do not accumulate glue. Do not appear blocks. The outer edge shall not be polluted by the glue.
②The middle part of the outsole should be evenly brushed with the glue.
③Once glue on the sole: it starts to brush from the outer waist top in the left shoe and brush from the inner waist top in the right shoe.
④ Twice glue on the sole: it starts to brush from the inner waist heel in the left shoe and brush from the outer waist heel in the right shoe.
17.Outsole Attaching
After brushing the outsole with glue, the shoe factory workers will prepare to attach the outsole which is the 17th step in the process of shoes making. In this part, the operations are divided into 7 key points.
①Recognize the numbers and the colors. First check whether the numbers are the same and the marking-off line is skew or not. And then attach the outsole out of the oven within 1m.
②First attach the top part (1/3 of the whole sole). Align it to the midpoint and cover the marking-off line. And do not use the top to pull against the outsole.
③Then attach the counter part (1/3 of the whole sole). Align it to the midpoint and cover the marking-off line. And do not drag the outsole.
④Finally, attach the outer waist and inner waist. The sole side should be smooth, and the bottom should be stable, without shaking.
⑤Make sure the temperature of shoes is about 65 ℃ – 75 ℃ after attaching the outsole.
⑥Wear gloves when attaching the outsole.
⑦The bottom blade is close to the outsole’ s side wall, and the blade is forced to push very hard. Then extrude the edge of the sole and firmly attach the outsole without any gap. Especially if the upper has a joint, it must be squeezed firmly.
18.The Press
With the outsole attaching completely, the shoe factory workers will prepare the pressing– the 18th step of the process of shoe making. In this part, the operations are divided into four points.
①Distinguish the left and right shoe, use the correct bottom pressing mold, and adjust the machine.
②The outsole is placed in accordance with the bottom pressing mold and meantime the outsole is moved back and forth.
③The pressing time is 10 seconds and the pressure is 30 kg in this process of shoes making.
④The press’ s pestle needs to be balanced and the middle distance should also be adjusted well.
19.Make a Loop of Glue Line and Blank Pressing
Once the pressing is prepared, the shoe factory workers will prepare to make a loop of glue and blank pressing which is the 19th step in the process of shoes making. In this part, the specific operation is shown below.
Make a loop of glue line:
①Make a loop of glue line along the joint of the bottom, and do not pile up and spill over the glue at the starting and ending points and the joint of upper.
②The squeeze of glue and the thickness of glue line must be controlled and have a certain standard, both in synchronous state.
③In this process of shoe making, the time on the oven ≥ 3min and the temperature is 45℃-50℃.
The shoes factory of XIN DE SHENG SHOES FACTORY generally adopts the temperature of oven and the time on the sole as below follows:
The oven temperature and the time on the sole
①Rubber 70±5℃ 3-4 min
②TPR 65±5℃ 3-5min
③Once MD 65±5℃ 3-4min
④Twice MD 65±5℃ 3-4 min
Blank pressing:
①According to the requirements of the shoe factory’s making process, the shoes and the table shall tilt at 30°C, and the hammer bottom and table shall tilt at 15°C. Press one loop along the joint of the bottom.
②The shoes factory workers shall ensure the densification of the blank pressing and make sure there are no gaps, holes and wrinkles.
③Pay attention to the side wall of the outsole of the twice MD that may appear the wrinkles in this process of shoes making.
20.Eliminate the Trails of sole
Now that the last past is prepared, then the 20th step of shoe making process is to eliminate the trails of sole. The specific operation is shown below.
①The heat cylinder should be aimed at the sole edge. The shoe factory workers do not scald the upper and sole.
21.Slipping Off Shoelaces/Pull-Out Last
With eliminating the trails of sole completely, the shoe factory workers will prepare to slip off shoelaces and pull out the lasting, that is, the 21th step in the process of shoes making. In this part, the operations are divided into the following five points.
①The shoe factory workers do not pull hard when removing the band, do not damage the eye stay holes by pulling. And they need loosen the shoelace to the maximum extent.
②Adjust the unlasting machine in line with the last shape, press the middle and back part of the sole with both thumbs, and stick the top line with four fingers.
③After the heel comes out, the hands come out of the shoe upper in the last direction.
④It is not allowed to wrinkle or deform after pulling out the last in this process of shoe making.
⑤Check whether the numbers of the left and right shoes are the same, and if the same, the shoe factory workers will match the pairs of shoes and then the shoes are transferred into the next process of shoes making.
22.Sock Laying
Now that the marking-off line is prepared, then the 14th step of shoe making process is the sock laying. In this part, the operations are divided into five points.
①It is glued 35% at the heel of the sock lining by the shoe factory workers.
②Correctly use the lining and distinguish the number of the left and right shoes.
③When inserting the liner, the shoes factory workers’ fingers slightly press both sides of it, and the front side of the lining is arched up and inserted steadily and symmetrically.
④After inserting, check the length and width of the insole whether is completely consistent with the inside of the shoe by touching and seeing. And the shoe factory workers should ensure it is smooth and has no wrinkles for the surface of a shoe.
⑤Match pairs of shoes and put them in order in that process of shoes making.
23.Insert Tissue Papers on the Top Line
With sock laying prepared, the shoe factory workers will prepare the 23th step in the process of shoes making to insert the tissue papers on the top line. In the process of shoe making, the operations are divided into four points.
①Insert the tissue papers to the top line. Fill different thickness of papers on the basis of the shoe size. The paper filler is slightly inclined to the inside. At the same time, press the outside of the toe with the palm.
②Tie the laces and put them into the shoes. The secondary paper filler should be in place with standards of the shoe factory. Press slightly the outside of the shoe with the shoe factory workers’ palms.
③After inserted paper stuff, the upper should be smooth, not wrinkled or uneven and would be the same shape as before pulling out the last.
④Match pairs of shoes and put them in order in that process of shoes making.
24.Clean the Vamp and Outsole
After inserting the tissue papers on the top line, the shoes factory workers can begin the 24th step in the process of shoes making to clean the vamp and outsole. The specific operation is shown below.
①The shoes should be handled with care, not too hard. And the shoe factory workers try not to touch the upper.
②More smooth outsole should be cleaned by clamping the rag. First of all, clean the side wall of an outsole. Then clean the bottom of a shoe. Meantime, do not let the rag touch the upper.
③In this process of shoes making, the bottom with the deeper groove should be cleaned with a brush.
④Make sure that there is no stains left after cleaning. The shoes are not out of shape and the pairs are neatly matched and placed in the corresponding inner box.
25.Finished Product Control and Product Packaging
Once the part of cleaning the vamp and outsole is prepared, the shoe factory workers will prepare the last step of shoes making process–the finished product control and product packaging. In this process f shoe making, the shoes factory workers need to check the following 14 points.
①There are no problems in the color, pollution and quality on the upper and outsole.
②There are the same high and low in the counter and toe. Midpoint alignment is right, not skewed.
③The eye stay does not deform with consistent height and low; the side vamp is straight and attached to the last.
④It is the same with the number of the left and right shoe and the length of the sole and upper (MD + 2)
⑤The tongue mark is complete and clear without modifying and splicing.
⑥The inner side of the left and right collar is larger than the outer side (it is allowed that it can be larger than 0-2mm).
⑦There should be no glue peeling, overflowing and appearing, and it is not allowed that the breaking of upper is over high (the standard of the shoe factory is ± 1mm).
⑧When attached, the shoes are smooth and dense, no wire drawing, no glue opening and no holes in joint.
⑨When attaching the flat sole, it is required that the side of bottom does not deform and the upper not wrinkle.
⑩The bottom is smooth and clean; the upper has the same warpage.
⑪After inserted the paper, the shape of shoe should be consistent with that of lasting.
⑫The tightness of shoelaces should be flat with the top line, not curled, and the colors should be correct.
⑬The packing accessories are well-prepared.
⑭The wrapping paper need to be smooth and placed correctly and stably.
Now the shoe is complete. What I have mentioned above is the assembly line process of making shoes in our factory. After these complete steps, the shoes are ready for inspection. And each step is operated by skilled workers so the shoe quality is guaranteed.
In summary, it is a labor-intensive process of shoes making so it is necessary that the shoes factory has skilled workers due to the manufacturing costs. Taking shortcuts to reduce costs can result in an inferior shoe. Each professional process of shoes making must be operated strictly in accordance with the corresponding requirements.
In 2020, it is predicted that due to the impact of the novel Coronavirus, the demand for shoes will decline, but the global market demand for shoes will maintain a medium speed and steady growth with the continuous recovery of the world economy. The global economy is generally on the uptrend, especially in the emerging developing countries such as India and China, which have maintained medium-to-high economic growth with huge populations and huge potential in the consumer market.
If you want to learn more about the shoes information, you can look through our online shoe school. If you would like to find a shoe manufacturer or supplier, please contact us by Email: andy.h@topfactoryshoes.com or by telephone: (86) 0592 2685659. Thank you !
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