A method of forming a retaining device with hooks, wherein: a molding strip is provided that presents an inside face and an outside face, and that has a plurality of cavities, each cavity defining a stem extending from the outside face towards the inside face and including an end forming a head that extends from the stem towards the inside face of the molding strip; the molding strip is positioned on rotary drive means, the inside face of the molding strip being arranged to bear against the drive means; and molding material is dispensed against the outside face of the molding strip.

Disclosed is an elastomeric bladder tool and related systems and methods. In one embodiment, the elastomeric bladder tool comprises an elastomeric inner layer substantially defining an inner cavity of the elastomeric bladder tool, an elastomeric outer layer substantially defining an outer surface of the elastomeric bladder tool, and a permeable middle layer positioned between the elastomeric inner layer and the elastomeric outer layer. The permeable middle layer has greater permeability than both the elastomeric outer layer and the elastomeric inner layer to allow for evacuating of gases that have entered the permeable middle layer.

Disclosed is an elastomeric bladder tool and related systems and methods. In one embodiment, the elastomeric bladder tool comprises an elastomeric inner layer substantially defining an inner cavity of the elastomeric bladder tool, an elastomeric outer layer substantially defining an outer surface of the elastomeric bladder tool, and a permeable middle layer positioned between the elastomeric inner layer and the elastomeric outer layer. The permeable middle layer has greater permeability than both the elastomeric outer layer and the elastomeric inner layer to allow for evacuating of gases that have entered the permeable middle layer.

Extruded seals including a sealing portion with a honeycomb profile and method for making extruded seals with honeycomb profiles. An extrusion tool is provided with a first and second plate connected together. The first plate has a plurality of pins, which are vented to form a honeycomb profile. The second plate has a profiled opening receiving the plurality of pins and forming the overall shape of the part, including the outermost surfaces of the part. The pins serve as mandrels for extruded molten material to flow around. Varying the pin configuration and dimensions changes the honeycomb profile. The honeycomb structure is provided in the sealing portion of the extrusion. The honeycomb profile is formed by itself, co-extruded with a rigid or semi-rigid structural member, or applied to the rigid or semi-rigid structural member after the structural member is formed.

Extruded seals including a sealing portion with a honeycomb profile and method for making extruded seals with honeycomb profiles. An extrusion tool is provided with a first and second plate connected together. The first plate has a plurality of pins, which are vented to form a honeycomb profile. The second plate has a profiled opening receiving the plurality of pins and forming the overall shape of the part, including the outermost surfaces of the part. The pins serve as mandrels for extruded molten material to flow around. Varying the pin configuration and dimensions changes the honeycomb profile. The honeycomb structure is provided in the sealing portion of the extrusion. The honeycomb profile is formed by itself, co-extruded with a rigid or semi-rigid structural member, or applied to the rigid or semi-rigid structural member after the structural member is formed.

A method for producing a composite part. The method includes the following steps: stacking a first mat, a spacer and a second mat in a heatable mold; at least one of the mats including a continuous web of fibers impregnated with a thermosetting resin; and compressing and heating of the stack by the heatable mold, in order to polymerize the thermosetting resin. The stacking step includes the deposition, in a heatable mold, of a first and a second filtration layer, in contact respectively with the first and second mats, on the opposite side from the spacer. The filtration layers are porous to steam and relatively less porous to the thermosetting resin. During the compression and heating step steam is evacuated from the mold.

A method for producing a composite part. The method includes the following steps: stacking a first mat, a spacer and a second mat in a heatable mold; at least one of the mats including a continuous web of fibers impregnated with a thermosetting resin; and compressing and heating of the stack by the heatable mold, in order to polymerize the thermosetting resin. The stacking step includes the deposition, in a heatable mold, of a first and a second filtration layer, in contact respectively with the first and second mats, on the opposite side from the spacer. The filtration layers are porous to steam and relatively less porous to the thermosetting resin. During the compression and heating step steam is evacuated from the mold.

The rotational molding system comprising an internal air cooling system disposed on the mold and configured for one or more of selectively controlling air flow into or out of a cavity of the mold for actively cooling an interior surface of a part, pressurizing the cavity of the mold, allowing pressure equalization, or venting of off-gases. A first thermocouple and a second thermocouple disposed within the cavity to measure a temperature at the exterior surface of a part and the mold cavity. A control system in electronic communication with both said first thermocouple and said second thermocouple, may selectively operate the internal air cooling system to maintain the temperature of the cavity and the part's outside surface substantially the same. The mold and/or the oven containing the mold may be disposed for rotation about a first axis and a second axis during the rotational molding process.

A method of forming a retaining device with hooks, wherein: a molding strip is provided that presents an inside face and an outside face, and that has a plurality of cavities, each cavity defining a stem extending from the outside face towards the inside face and including an end forming a head that extends from the stem towards the inside face of the molding strip; and the molding strip is positioned on rotary drive means, comprising at least two rollers, the inside face of the molding strip being arranged to bear against the drive means.

A method of forming a retaining device with hooks, wherein: a molding strip is provided that presents an inside face and an outside face, and that has a plurality of cavities, each cavity defining a stem extending from the outside face towards the inside face and including an end forming a head that extends from the stem towards the inside face of the molding strip; and the molding strip is positioned on rotary drive means, comprising at least two rollers, the inside face of the molding strip being arranged to bear against the drive means.