United Machining says its advanced laser technology is transforming the design and manufacture of high-quality textured shoe moulds. The laser process delivers high accuracy and repeatability, combined with design and manufacturing flexibility, predictability and reliability.

To meet the growing and evolving demands from designers of footwear brands for increasingly fine and complex surface structures, United Machining’s laser texturing technology offers a new and cost-competitive way to deliver geometric and natural textures. The process, based on United Machining’s knowledge of high-quality surface finishes, allows manufacturers to achieve structured and fine textures in competitive lead times compared with conventional design and manufacturing processes.

United Machining’s laser texturing technology is a completely digital and repeatable process that reduces manual operations, allows unlimited design flexibility and supports manufacturers in shortening time-to-market. It is these commercial advantages that have alerted the footwear sector to the potential of three- and five-axis laser technology.

The dimension of the laser spot is 0.05 mm, allowing the creation of fine, intricate and complex surface structures that are beyond the scope of conventional technologies. United Machining’s proprietary software helps manufacturers reduce manual operations and a reliance on specialised, manual expertise.

Freedom of design, thanks to the characteristics of this laser solution and the digital processes involved, enables manufacturers to design and apply all kind of textures on parts and mould inserts – a source of market differentiation. In the past, when manufacturers wanted to develop their own bespoke textures, the traditional route forward was to outsource the work, which often impacted lead times and, on occasion, could affect quality.

The use of laser technology means an end to tool breakage issues and the delivery of a safe, flexible and reliable texturing process.

More information www.gfms.com