A method (810, 32600) of positioning and joining a plurality of shoe manufacturing parts utilizing automated identification of manufacturing parts and a manufacturing tool comprised of a vacuum-powered part holder and an ultrasonic-welding horn, the method comprising: automatically identifying a three-dimensional space within which a first manufacturing part of the plurality of manufacturing parts is positioned and the manufacturing tool operates; automatically identifying a position of a second manufacturing part of the plurality of manufacturing parts; based on the identified position of the first manufacturing part, positioning the manufacturing tool such that the vacuum-powered part holder is proximate to the first manufacturing part of the plurality of manufacturing parts; generating a vacuum force transferred through a bottom surface of the vacuum-powered part holder; temporarily maintaining the first manufacturing part in contact with at least a portion of the vacuum-powered part holder; based on the position of the second manufacturing part, transferring the first manufacturing part to the second manufacturing part of the plurality of manufacturing parts; releasing the first manufacturing part from the vacuum-powered part holder, wherein releasing comprises generating, by a work surface opposite of the vacuum-powered part holder, a countering vacuum pressure that opposes the vacuum pressure of the vacuum-powered part holder; positioning the manufacturing tool such that the ultrasonic-welding horn is proximate to the first manufacturing part where the first manufacturing part is contacting the second manufacturing part; and applying ultrasonic energy through the ultrasonic-welding horn, wherein the ultrasonic energy is effective for joining the first manufacturing part with the second manufacturing part. automatically identifying a three-dimensional space within which a first manufacturing part of the plurality of manufacturing parts is positioned and the manufacturing tool operates; automatically identifying a position of a second manufacturing part of the plurality of manufacturing parts; based on the identified position of the first manufacturing part, positioning the manufacturing tool such that the vacuum-powered part holder is proximate to the first manufacturing part of the plurality of manufacturing parts; generating a vacuum force transferred through a bottom surface of the vacuum-powered part holder; temporarily maintaining the first manufacturing part in contact with at least a portion of the vacuum-powered part holder; based on the position of the second manufacturing part, transferring the first manufacturing part to the second manufacturing part of the plurality of manufacturing parts; releasing the first manufacturing part from the vacuum-powered part holder, wherein releasing comprises generating, by a work surface opposite of the vacuum-powered part holder, a countering vacuum pressure that opposes the vacuum pressure of the vacuum-powered part holder; positioning the manufacturing tool such that the ultrasonic-welding horn is proximate to the first manufacturing part where the first manufacturing part is contacting the second manufacturing part; and applying ultrasonic energy through the ultrasonic-welding horn, wherein the ultrasonic energy is effective for joining the first manufacturing part with the second manufacturing part.