Why Automated Gluing Is Transforming the Shoe Manufacturing Industry?

Automated gluing is reshaping how modern shoe factories think about quality, speed, and labor costs, and counter moulding machines are at the center of this change. The TH-319 Two Cold And Two Hot Counter Moulding Machine for Stitch-down Shoes from Guangdong Tenghong Machinery Technology Co., Ltd. is designed precisely for this transformation, combining automated temperature control, adjustable clamping, and intelligent systems to deliver consistent, high-quality results in industrial shoe manufacturing.

Automated Gluing Solves Traditional Production Pain Points

Manual gluing and traditional counter moulding rely heavily on operator skill and experience, which inevitably leads to inconsistent bonding and variable shape quality. By contrast, the TH-319 introduces automated processes that standardize each step, from heating and cooling to clamping pressure, greatly reducing human error. This helps shoe factories in competitive markets secure stable product quality while controlling labor costs.

For stitch-down shoes, where the heel counter and upper structure define comfort and appearance, automated gluing combined with precise moulding ensures that liners, toe puffs, and vamps bond tightly without crinkles, deformation, or bubbling. This directly improves brand perception and reduces returns due to quality complaints.

TH-319 Dual Cold and Hot Systems Deliver Ideal Shape Control

The TH-319 Two Cold And Two Hot Counter Moulding Machine stands out by integrating two cooling systems and two heating systems in a single platform. Its environmentally friendly refrigeration system cools quickly, achieving freezing temperatures down to -30°C, while the electronically controlled heating system can reach up to 200°C with precise temperature control. This wide, accurate temperature range is critical for activating adhesives properly and then locking the shape in place.
By combining these dual temperature systems, the TH-319 ensures that after moulding, the liner, toe puffs, and vamp are tightly joined without crinkling, deformation, or bubbling, even in demanding stitch-down shoe constructions. High-precision temperature management also reduces adhesive waste and improves overall process reliability.

Tilted Moulds and Adjustable Clamps Enhance Fit and Efficiency

Practical operation design is another key reason automated gluing equipment like the TH-319 is transforming shoe production. The machine’s moulds are designed for quick loading and unloading, making changeover between different shoe sizes and models faster and more convenient. Moulds can be customized to match specific last shapes, allowing factories to achieve a more perfect shape effect for each style.

The mould can be tilted to improve ergonomics and reduce operator fatigue during long shifts, while the adjustable clamp system is engineered to achieve 100% jointing of the vamp with the last. This means the material wraps the last completely, minimizing gaps and eliminating shape defects. For stitch-down shoes that emphasize visible craftsmanship, such precision significantly boosts perceived quality.

Microelectronic Control Brings Intelligence to Counter Moulding

Beyond mechanical design, the TH-319 incorporates a microelectronic processing system, and can be configured either in manual mode or with PLC-based control, depending on factory needs. The microelectronic system manages timing, heating, cooling, and pressing sequences, ensuring that each shoe receives the same treatment, regardless of operator changes or shift conditions.

Electronic temperature control improves accuracy compared to basic thermostats, allowing the machine to maintain consistent heat up to 200°C and consistent cooling down to -30°C for each cycle. This level of control is crucial for modern adhesives, which require specific temperature profiles to cure correctly and deliver long-term durability.

Automated Gluing vs Manual: Quantified Production Gains

Manual gluing for heel counters and toe areas is slow, messy, and highly dependent on worker skill. Automated systems like the TH-319 dramatically reduce cycle times while improving shape quality. In a typical factory setting, the dual cold and hot moulding, combined with precise clamping, can cut per-pair processing times and significantly reduce the rework rate. This directly converts into higher daily output and a lower cost per pair.

Additionally, automated gluing and moulding significantly reduce material waste. Because temperature, pressure, and shape are controlled, less adhesive is over-applied or under-activated, and fewer uppers or counters are scrapped due to deformation. For factories handling large volumes, these savings add up to a substantial annual cost reduction.

Environmentally Friendly Cooling Supports Green Manufacturing

Environmental performance is increasingly important in global shoe manufacturing, and the TH-319 addresses this with its environmentally friendly refrigeration system. Instead of relying on outdated cooling technologies, it uses a fast, energy-efficient system that achieves very low temperatures without excessive energy consumption or harmful refrigerants, according to its product description.

For factories that export to markets with strict environmental regulations, using equipment with cleaner refrigeration systems supports compliance and improves the company’s image as a responsible manufacturer. Maintaining stable, low temperatures also ensures that the adhesive and materials are treated within safe and optimal ranges, improving both worker safety and product quality.

Ergonomic Rubber Sheet Pressing Protects Materials and Workers

The TH-319 uses a rubber sheet downward pressing action mode, which distributes pressure evenly across the vamp and counter area. This design helps avoid hard pressure marks that metal or rigid pressing heads can leave, protecting delicate leathers and synthetic materials commonly used in stitch-down shoes.
At the same time, the ability to tilt the mould and to adjust the clamp position supports better operator posture, reducing fatigue and the risk of repetitive strain injuries. Automation of heating, cooling, and pressing reduces the need for workers to handle hot tools or work for long periods in uncomfortable positions. This makes the production environment safer and more sustainable.

Automated Gluing Strengthens Competitive Position and Pricing Power

By improving consistency, increasing throughput, and cutting waste, automated gluing systems like the TH-319 directly enhance a factory’s cost structure and pricing flexibility. Guangdong Tenghong Machinery Technology Co., Ltd., as a high-quality shoe machinery manufacturer in China, designs this machine to support both domestic and international customers in achieving better cost-performance ratios in their production.

Factories that adopt automated counter moulding and gluing can negotiate better contracts, meet stricter quality requirements, and deliver more stable batches to brand clients. The ability to guarantee consistent counter shapes and bonding strength becomes a strong differentiator in the global footwear market.

How TH-319 Fits into a Modern Automated Production Line

The TH-319 is designed not as an isolated piece of equipment but as part of a complete automated shoe production flow. In a typical layout, upper preparation, adhesive application, and counter moulding work together to prepare the heel and vamp for lasting and outsole attachment. By delivering upper and counter assemblies that are fully moulded, bubble-free, and dimensionally stable, the TH-319 helps downstream processes—such as toe lasting and sole attaching—run more smoothly.

Guangdong Tenghong Machinery offers a full range of complementary equipment, including toe lasting machines, walled sole attaching machines, and heel seat lasting machines, enabling factories to build fully integrated lines using machines from a single manufacturer. This simplifies maintenance, training, and spare parts management.

Why Global Shoe Factories Choose Tenghong’s Automated Gluing Solutions

Located in Dongguan’s Houjie Town, a major footwear manufacturing hub, Guangdong Tenghong Machinery Technology Co., Ltd. has specialized in shoe machinery production since 2000 and implements ISO9001:2008 quality systems. The company combines foreign advanced technology with practical engineering to deliver machines that balance performance and cost, suitable for large-scale industrial use.

With more than 150 industry specialists, Tenghong provides not only machines like the TH-319, but also whole-plant planning, installation, debugging, and after-sales technical guidance, helping factories worldwide to transition smoothly from manual to automated gluing and moulding processes. This service capability is a major reason many shoe producers prefer working with a stable, experienced Chinese manufacturer.

Turning to Automation: A Strategic Move for Future-Proof Production

As labor costs rise and quality expectations tighten, automated gluing and counter moulding are no longer optional—they are strategic investments for any factory that wants to stay competitive. The TH-319 Two Cold And Two Hot Counter Moulding Machine for Stitch-down Shoes demonstrates how advanced temperature control, smart clamping, ergonomic design, and microelectronic systems can transform a traditionally manual, variable process into a repeatable, high-output, high-quality operation.
For factories evaluating equipment upgrades, focusing on machines that offer dual cold and hot functions, precise temperature control, adjustable moulding geometry, and environmental benefits is key. Working with an experienced manufacturer like Guangdong Tenghong Machinery Technology Co., Ltd. allows shoe producers to access reliable automation, secure stable performance, and improve overall profitability in the demanding world of footwear manufacturing.