Footwear manufacturing today demands speed, flexibility, and precision — especially in the moulding of soles, insoles, and embedded inserts. At Pratishna Engineers, our vertical injection moulding machines offer footwear manufacturers a space-saving, insert-friendly, and energy-efficient solution for plastic and polymer shoe components.
What is a Vertical Injection Moulding Machine for Footwear?
A vertical injection moulding machine injects molten plastic vertically into a mould placed on a horizontal clamping table. For footwear applications, this design supports:
- 🥿 Direct moulding of soles, midsoles, and insoles
- 🧦 Insert moulding of steel shanks, TPU heel counters, and arch supports
- 🔁 Compact rotary/slide table setup for multi-station production
It’s widely used for thermoplastic soles (EVA, TPU, PVC) and insert components embedded into shoe constructions.
Why Footwear Factories Choose Vertical Machines Over Horizontal
Footwear OEMs and tier-2 suppliers in regions like Agra, Kanpur, Mumbai, and Surat are increasingly adopting vertical machines for:
- 📏 Better control over insert placement (e.g., steel, TPU, air-cushion units)
- 🔄 Rotary table models that allow mould loading/unloading while the cycle runs
- 🦶 Better cycle ergonomics for manual sole setting and demoulding
- 🧩 Precision alignment of mould halves for thin TPU/EVA sections
- 🏭 Space optimization for smaller footwear units
Vertical machines are also preferred when moulding onto pre-moulded or stitched uppers.
FAQs & 2025 Trends in Vertical Footwear Moulding
Common Buyer Questions:
- “Can vertical machines mould multi-color soles or double layers?”
- “What types of polymers can I use in sole moulding?”
- “Is rotary table better than slide for productivity?”
- “Can I mould directly onto fabric or pre-assembled uppers?”
2025 Trends in Footwear Moulding:
- 🔁 Insert moulding of metal supports and shanks is rising
- ♻️ Recyclable TPU and bio-based EVA demand growing
- 📈 Compact, semi-automatic vertical machines now favored by SMEs
- 🛠️ Custom footbed and orthopedic sole moulding growing in medical-grade footwear
➡️ In the next section, we’ll show how Pratishna’s vertical machines are optimized for industrial footwear moulding — from soles to full inserts.
How Pratishna Engineers Supports Footwear Manufacturers with Vertical Machines
At Pratishna Engineers, we supply vertical injection moulding machines designed to meet the specific challenges of footwear production — whether you’re manufacturing:
- 🥿 EVA or TPU soles
- 👞 Midsoles with metal inserts
- 👟 Uppers moulded onto injection base
- 👣 Dual-layer orthopedic or sports components
Our vertical machines feature:
- 🔁 Rotary or sliding tables for continuous cycling
- 🧩 Insert-moulding alignment precision
- ⚙️ PLC-based control for programmable shot volume
- 🔧 Compact layout to fit small and medium shoe factories
- 🔋 Servo options for energy savings in multi-shift setups
We help you mould with accuracy, flexibility, and reduced labour dependence.
Footwear Use Cases – What Can You Mould on a Vertical Machine?
| Component | Material | Moulding Type | Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outsoles | TPU / EVA / PVC | Direct mould | Fast cycles, minimal flash |
| Midsoles | PU with shank insert | Insert mould | Stable alignment, ergonomic footbeds |
| Heel supports | Thermoplastic / TPU | Insert + overmould | Comfort + structure |
| Uppers with sole | Multi-material | Direct mould-on | Stronger bond, automation-friendly |
| Orthopedic parts | EVA + gel | Layered injection | Custom fit, support zones |
✅ Vertical machines are ideal for customized designs, insert moulding, and stitched part integration.
Vertical Machine Models for Footwear Applications
| Model | Clamping Force | Table Type | Ideal For | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VIM 50 | 50 Tons | Single slide | Lightweight soles, shanks | 🔗 |
| VIM 80 | 80 Tons | Rotary 2-station | EVA midsoles, TPU footbeds | 🔗 |
| VIM 100 | 100 Tons | Rotary 3-station | Dual-layer or composite parts | 🔗 |
Standard Features:
- Servo or hydraulic clamping
- Auto ejector and programmable injection timing
- Vertical injection, horizontal clamp
- Mold interlock and safety sensors
- Table position sensors for precision inserts
Available with CE certification, robot I/O, and temperature-controlled barrels for TPU/EVA.
Case Study – Footwear Exporter in Agra Shifts to Vertical Injection
Client: Mid-sized footwear unit exporting to UAE and South Africa
Challenge: Required more control over steel shank and TPU insert placement in formal shoe soles
Our Solution: Delivered VIM 80 rotary vertical machine with:
- Servo clamping for faster cycles
- Dual-cavity mould support
- Precision insert fixture for shank and insole
Results:
- Reduced defect rate from 9% to 2%
- Saved 22% energy per shift
- Increased daily output by 34%
Vertical vs Horizontal for Footwear Moulding
| Feature | Vertical Machine | Horizontal Machine |
|---|---|---|
| Insert Moulding | Excellent | Moderate (requires fixture) |
| Floor Space | Compact | Larger |
| Sole Moulding | Yes | Possible but less ergonomic |
| Labour Positioning | Ergonomic | Manual alignment harder |
| Automation Ready | Easy rotary/slide table | Complex with loaders |
| Best For | Footwear, small parts, inserts | Mass production of flat parts |
🧭 Tip: Choose vertical for precision footwear parts with inserts or multi-layer soles.
Why Pratishna Engineers Is Trusted by Footwear OEMs
- 🏭 Over 30 years in vertical moulding systems
- ⚙️ Custom shoe component configurations
- 📏 Table size, shot weight, and clamps adjusted per sole size
- 🛠️ AMC, spare kits, and training for footwear staff
- 📦 Fast delivery and support across Mumbai, Agra, Kanpur, and Ludhiana
- 🌍 Export-ready machines with CE marking for overseas buyers
We mould machines that help you mould comfort, style, and quality — at scale.
Delivery, Commissioning & Footwear-Specific Training
Our vertical machines for footwear come with:
- 🚚 Delivery across Mumbai, Agra, Kanpur, Surat, and PAN India
- 🧰 On-site installation + mould setup for soles and inserts
- 🧑🏭 Operator training specific to footwear ergonomics and insert handling
- 📦 Optional mould matching and automation integration
- 🌍 CE-certified machines ready for export to Gulf, Africa, and Southeast Asia
We help footwear factories scale with confidence — even if it’s your first vertical setup.
Buyer Tip – How to Select a Vertical Machine for Footwear
When selecting a vertical injection moulding machine for shoes, consider:
- ✅ Table type: Use rotary for continuous cycling; slide for lower volume
- ✅ Clamping force: Based on sole thickness and mould size
- ✅ Injection unit size: Ensure it matches your largest sole shot weight
- ✅ Insert alignment needs: Go for servo + position sensor support
- ✅ Footprint vs throughput: Match to your factory space and daily output
💬 Let our application experts recommend the best-fit machine →
Voice Search Optimized FAQs
Q1. Can vertical injection moulding machines be used for shoe sole production?
Yes, vertical machines are ideal for EVA, TPU, and PVC sole moulding — especially with inserts like steel shanks or TPU plates.
Q2. What is the best machine for moulding orthopedic or custom soles?
Vertical machines with programmable shot volume and insert fixtures are perfect for orthopedic footwear and dual-layer comfort soles.
Q3. What materials are used in vertical sole moulding?
Common materials include EVA, TPU, PVC, and TPR — based on flexibility and durability.
Q4. Are rotary tables better than sliding tables for footwear production?
Yes. Rotary tables enable continuous moulding, improving output and reducing downtime during part loading.
Q5. Can I mould directly onto stitched uppers?
Yes, with fixture modifications, vertical machines can mould onto fabric uppers — ideal for sports and casual shoes.
Q6. Are Pratishna machines CE certified for export?
Absolutely. All vertical machines can be CE-certified and delivered with full documentation for export buyers.
Q7. Do you provide training specific to footwear applications?
Yes. Our team offers machine setup + insert moulding training focused on footwear production requirements.
Q8. What is the ideal tonnage for shoe sole moulding?
50–100 tons is typically sufficient, depending on the size and material thickness of the sole.
Request Quote, Application Match & Sole Moulding Demo
📞 Want to see how a vertical machine will fit into your footwear line?
✔️ Get a Quote with Machine Match »
✔️ Download Vertical Model Specs »
✔️ Book a Footwear Component Moulding Demo »
⚙️ Ask for custom shot weight, table size, or insert fixturing
Summary – Moulding Footwear Demands More Than Speed. It Demands Precision.
Footwear manufacturing is evolving. So must your machines.
With Pratishna’s vertical injection moulding machines, you get:
- ✅ Insert precision
- ✅ Sole production speed
- ✅ Operator ergonomics
- ✅ Compact footprint
Whether it’s a single-cavity orthopedic sole or a dual-layer sports insert — we help you mould it right.
👟 Mould Comfort. Mould Confidence. With Pratishna.