Braiding Machine And Method Of Forming An Article Incorporating A Moving Object

A method of forming a braided upper using a braiding machine comprising:

• locating a three-dimensional object adjacent a first opening of a passageway, wherein the passageway extends through an enclosure of the braiding machine and wherein a track of the braiding machine extends around the enclosure;
• passing the three-dimensional object through the passageway from the first opening to a second opening;
• passing the three-dimensional object from a first side of a braiding point to a second side of the braiding point of the braiding machine;
• wherein the braiding machine further includes a plurality of spools located along the track, the plurality of spools including a first spool and a second spool, the first spool being adjacent to the second spool, wherein as the first spool moves the second spool remains stationary;
• and
• wherein as each of the plurality of spools is passed around the track, thread is deposited around the three-dimensional object.

A method of forming an article of footwear using a braiding machine comprising:

• passing a last from a first side of a ring to a second side of the ring of the braiding machine;
• the braiding machine including a plurality of rotor metals, the plurality of rotor metals including a first rotor metal and a second rotor metal, the first rotor metal being adjacent to the second rotor metal, the plurality of rotor metals being configured so that as the first rotor metal rotates the second rotor metal remains stationary;
• forming a braided component, a portion of the braided component forming a braided portion over the last;
• removing the braided portion from the braided component.