Optical microtopographic inspection of thermoplastic rubber

Shoe's industry has a major economical importance in Portugal. A tight quality control is necessary in any and all steps of the production process. The strength and quality of the gluing of the sole to leather are of major importance in the process of making a high quality shoe. This pasting process is standardized for different kinds of sole/leather combinations. However even if proceeding carefully problems due happen and specially as new kinds of sole's materials and leather' types are introduced in the production lines. A careful physical characterization of the gluing process as well as all items intervening is again necessary. On this communication we will present and discuss the results of the inspection process as well as the optical inspection system and inspection' procedure employed.