PMC: Leather cutting, ‘TPR lite’ among the highlights

On the shoe machinery side, Italy is holding its own. Companies that have been around for many years are positive for future trading. There are 2 reasons – China is slowing, and their manufacturers are concentrating on high tech industries mainly pertaining to electronic goods.. Also, the Italian government is assisting Italian shoe manufacturers to buy Italian machinery, which are adapted with 4.0 management control technology.

There is a huge focus on automated leather cutting. The technology has almost reached its peak. Teseo, Comelz, Zundt are the leading suppliers – in that order, in my opinion. Atom is more for heavy-duty applications like gaskets.

Oscillating knife is the technology method for this cutting technology.

In the 90s our industry would never tool up for small orders below 400 pairs, and they were turning that business away. Die-less cutting has made that business feasible, and the payback time is 18-36 months if you run it 24 hours/day.

On the injection moulding side Desma is still the leader, and it is the first company to offer recycling technology, up to 15% with their new particle dosing unit.

Main Group, which is making high tech machines in Italy again, is making a comeback, with 2 colour unit sole injection in particular.

The new material causing waves is ‘TPR lite’. The SG is still higher than PU, but the durability and wearability of TPR lite is higher than PU. Manufacturers here know that TPR lite is the future. I saw 20/30 sole makers just making sneaker soles mostly in TPR lite and some TPU.

There is a lot of interest in sneaker production globally. 80% is still done with Strobel lasted machinery and the sole is stuck on. The 20% where the volume is for the big brands such as Nike, New Balance and Skechers is direct injection which is the only way for them.

There was also a lot of printing on leather – for logos, colour, and artwork.

Remote assistance, via TeamViewer or similar, is growing, and it was said that virtual reality is the way of the future.

It was interesting to note that a lot of exhibitors – on the Simac side, more than Tanning Tech – complained that the fair was poorly attended and were pushing to make it every 2/3 years going forward. That’s under discussion. However, Lineapelle, which is the materials fair, will still be held twice a year.