New dates for solings and sole adhesion courses

Courses dedicated to footwear solings and sole adhesion will be held at SATRA’s Kettering head office in April 2020.

The first of these events, entitled ‘Overview of solings’ is scheduled for 22nd April. Little or no previous knowledge of sole materials is required for this one-day course reserved for SATRA members. Delegates will be introduced to the main sole materials in use and will learn how they are formed and best utilised to their various strengths. Heels and top-pieces (top-lifts) are included.

The topics to be covered will include: i) solings types – materials and their properties, and basic production methods, ii) bottom stock – heels and top pieces, iii) principal test methods, iv) slip resistance, hardness, abrasion, flexing, tensile strength and density, each of which will be demonstrated in the laboratory, v) test methods, and vi) sole design – coring and tread pattern.

The most important test methods will be described and demonstrated, with additional test methods briefly described. Functional sole design will be considered, paying heed to both the hidden footside and external tread.

Lunch and morning/afternoon refreshment will be provided, as will full supporting notes. Delegate numbers will be limited to enable attendees to benefit fully from the practical sessions. Priority and a discount will be given to all who also attend the associated ‘Overview of sole adhesion’ event the following day.

Investigating sole adhesion

As with the ‘Overview of solings’ event, the one-day ‘Overview of sole adhesion’ course to be held on 23rd April 2020 is designed for delegates from SATRA member companies who have little or no previous knowledge of sole adhesion. The programme will include an introduction to simple bonding theory, the main sole bonding adhesives and the adhesion process – including essential material preparation.

This will lead into an examination of pre-production bond testing in the laboratory and proving-testing of finished shoes. Assessments will be demonstrated, with some hands-on involvement. Topics covered will include: i) bonding theory, adhesive types in shoemaking and material preparation for sole bonding, ii) test methods (assembling and peeling laboratory bonds, and peeling bond sections cut from finished footwear), iii) the preparation of sole bonds in the laboratory – with practical sessions, and iv) a review of testing and an introduction to additional methods.

Other issues affecting sole adhesion will be considered, such as green strength, heat resistance and ageing resistance. Lunch and morning/afternoon refreshment will be provided, as will full supporting notes. Numbers will be limited to enable delegates to benefit fully from the practical sessions. Again, priority and a discount will be given to all who also book onto the associated ‘Overview of solings’ course to be held on the previous day.

Publishing Data

This article was originally published on page 22 of the January 2020 issue of SATRA Bulletin.

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