Intervention IV
Last updated
Last updated
For this project, I wanted to explore different methods of creating shoe soles. According to my research, industrial shoe sole production typically involves steel molds with EVA (Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate) melted inside at very high temperatures. Alternatively, some shoes simply use leather soles. My goal was to investigate production methods that would be both simpler to implement and offer greater customization possibilities.
The first approach involved using CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines to remove material from a composite sandwich I created. This layered structure consisted of three different materials:
Expanded polyethylene
Stratacell
Industrial EVA
As you can see from the various photographs, the results weren't perfect since these materials aren't ideal for CNC machining. Nevertheless, the concept itself had merit, and I was able to observe how these different materials behaved under machining conditions.
For the second method, I experimented with silicone molds, which would allow me to use materials that could either dry or be poured directly into the mold. This required 3D printing the sole shape first.
The primary challenge with this approach was the significant material consumption. The silicone volume required, even for a reduced-size sole compared to actual size, was approximately 500 mL of each of the two solutions to be mixed—totaling 1 liter, which is substantial. Additionally, 3D printing the sole in PLA plastic represented another significant material investment, even considering the possibility of recycling the plastic afterward.
After exploring these two methods, I'm uncertain whether I've found a truly viable solution for my project. Both approaches have their limitations in terms of material efficiency, quality of results, and practicality for small-scale production.
