CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE DIVERSIFICATION OF PREFABRICATED FOOTWEAR SOLES USING INJECTION MOULDS WITH INTERCHANGEABLE MODULAR COMPONENTS

Currently, prefabricated shoe soles are made using sets of injection moulds with unique cavities which are custom made for each sole model. This paper presents design solutions of different injection moulds with interchangeable cavities. This types of moulds allow rapid construction of new cavities, corresponding to new soles designs, by modifying only those parts that are fitted into the cavities, not by replacing the entire mould. Experiments have shown that soles obtained using injection moulds with interchangeable parts have the same appearance and properties as soles obtained using classic moulds. Introducing in manufacturing processes of such moulds opens new perspectives for design diversification of soles, taking less time and with lower manufacturing costs, contributing to a better viability and profitability of moulds parks.