Nike, Inc.

Eli R Troyke

Todd W Miller

Mike A Chamblin

A holding assembly for articles can be used with a flexible manufacturing system to hold an article in place. The holding assembly can be used with a printing system to print onto the article. The holding assembly can expand to fit the article. The holding assembly can include a moldable surface that can be provided with a temporarily fixed geometry through the use of a vacuum. The holding assembly can help provide a flattened outer surface for the article to facilitate printing.

Holding assembly for articles

A holding assembly for holding articles in place for printing includes features for locking an article in place. The holding assembly can include an adjustable heel assembly. The holding assembly can include a lace locking member. The adjustable heel assembly and the lace locking member can be used to keep the article in a temporarily fixed position on the holding assembly.

Holding assembly with locking systems for articles

A flexible manufacturing system for an article of footwear includes a printing system for printing graphics onto the footwear. The flexible manufacturing system includes a first display device that is transparent and which may be used to superimpose graphics over an article to align the article with the printing system. An optical device and a second display device provide a fixed viewing angle for a user aligning the article under the first display device.

Graphic alignment for printing to an article using a first display device and a second display device

A method of printing onto an article includes placing an article on a holding assembly, flattening a portion of the article and printing onto the flattened portion of the article. Flattening can be accomplished using a flattening plate and by controlling the shape of a surface of the holding assembly using a vacuum.

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Portland, OR, United States of America

Eli R Troyke