SATRA speed up sole testing

Experts at SATRA have developed a 'walking foot' to speed up simulated wear testing of footwear soles. Traditionally, wear resistance has been tested in working environments and postal delivery staff have worn sample shoes on their rounds. However, these service trials were costly and time consuming. Alternatively, sole material can be subjected to laboratory abrasion tests which are relatively inexpensive and give results in a few hours. These, however, use a harsh abrasive paper and cannot test whole soles or patterns. A new machine, SATRA's biomechanical abrasion tester, can now combine the realism of the service trial with the speed of a laboratory test - and overcomes the drawbacks of both. It imposes a true walking action, including turning, over a real wear surface - a concrete slab - with motions, speeds and pressures which reproduce values obtained in biomechanical studies. SATRA's Stephen Abbott says: 'Wear of solings, like car tyres, is markedly aggravated by turning effects. In other words the machine does what comes naturally, but concentrates on those real effects which accelerate wear.' The savings in testing time and costs represent an additional benefit for the UK technology centre's global footwear membership. * SATRA are also launching a new award for members to recognise companies achieving the required level of expertise for the stitching process. This new initiative - which comes into operation on January 1 - complements our successful Cutting Award. The new award requires companies to demonstrate the necessary expertise in six key areas. SATRA's consultants will visit them and audit against a checklist. Those meeting the criteria will receive a certificate of registration valid for one year. It can be renewed annually by a further surveillance visit from SATRA's consultants. More details are available from Phil Shaw at e-mail: man.bus@satra.co.uk