A vehicle interior material manufacturing apparatus includes a preheater for preheating a raw fabric, a mover for moving the preheated raw fabric and including a stretching jig movable back and forth, a first mold into which the preheated raw fabric is inserted by the mover, a second mold having an at least partially corresponding shape to the first mold, and an injection resin introduced into the second mold, wherein the first mold includes: a base member on which an embossed pattern to be transferred to the preheated raw fabric is formed, a vacuum hole through which the preheated raw fabric is adsorbed onto the base member, and a spring core protruding from the base member and contacting at least a portion of the preheated raw fabric inserted into the first mold.

A vehicle interior material manufacturing apparatus includes a preheater for preheating a raw fabric, a mover for moving the preheated raw fabric and including a stretching jig movable back and forth, a first mold into which the preheated raw fabric is inserted by the mover, a second mold having an at least partially corresponding shape to the first mold, and an injection resin introduced into the second mold, wherein the first mold includes: a base member on which an embossed pattern to be transferred to the preheated raw fabric is formed, a vacuum hole through which the preheated raw fabric is adsorbed onto the base member, and a spring core protruding from the base member and contacting at least a portion of the preheated raw fabric inserted into the first mold.

Auto-aligning vacuum presses, that include a mobile assembly with a first platen, a vacuum docking station with a second platen, a first locating device to guide the mobile assembly to a desired location along the Y-axis as the mobile assembly moves along the X-axis into the vacuum station, and a second locating device to guide one of the first and second platens along the Z-axis into sealing engagement with the other platen.

A device and a method for loading prefabricated parts into a molding tool of a press for the production of molded parts, in particular for the production of elastomer molded parts. For this purpose, the device comprises a plate-like carrier element with a top and a bottom intended for attachment on or to the press and a holding device for accommodating at least one interchangeable platen equipped with the parts. The holding unit is arranged on the supporting element at a clear distance from its bottom and the interchangeable platen comprises a plurality of passage openings to accommodate the parts. Furthermore, the device comprises a platen with pins which are arranged between the bottom of the supporting element and the holding unit, wherein the pins align with the passage openings.

The present invention regards a moulding unit for producing a support element for the human body, such as a vehicle seat.

The invention is directed to a process for producing a cured 3D product comprising the following steps: (a) providing a form negative mould of the 3D product comprising of one or two formed plastic sheets as obtained by thermoforming corresponding with the shape of the 3D product; (b) adding a liquid curable composition to the mould such that the inner surface of the mould is covered by the curable composition; and (c) solidifying the curable composition wherein a solidified layer or body is formed having the shape of the 3D product; wherein the cured 3D product is a radiation cured 3D product; and wherein the step (c) a radiation curable composition is solidified by radiation through the plastic sheet of the mould to form a solidified layer having the shape of the 3D product.

Systems and methods are provided for compacting laminates. One embodiment is a method for compacting a laminate onto a surface of a forming tool. The method includes placing the laminate onto the forming tool, disposing a compaction device over the laminate, gripping the compaction device to the forming tool, compacting the laminate with a pressure foot of the compaction device, and removing the compaction device from the forming tool.

The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus for manufacturing a composite component. The apparatus includes a mold onto which the composite component is formed. The mold is disposed within a grid defined by a first axis and a second axis. The apparatus further includes a first frame assembly disposed above the mold, and a plurality of machine heads coupled to the first frame assembly within the grid in an adjacent arrangement along the first axis. At least one of the mold or the plurality of machine heads is moveable along the first axis, the second axis, or both. At least one of the machine heads of the plurality of machine heads is moveable independently of one another along a third axis.

The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus for manufacturing a composite component. The apparatus includes a mold onto which the composite component is formed. The mold is disposed within a grid defined by a first axis and a second axis. The apparatus further includes a first frame assembly disposed above the mold, and a plurality of machine heads coupled to the first frame assembly within the grid in an adjacent arrangement along the first axis. At least one of the mold or the plurality of machine heads is moveable along the first axis, the second axis, or both. At least one of the machine heads of the plurality of machine heads is moveable independently of one another along a third axis.

A system and method of manufacturing an over molded wire harness is disclosed herein. The system and method includes designing and manufacturing a positive mold made from interchangeable and reusable modular blocks. The positive mold is used to create a negative mold tool die, whereby the wire harness can be assembled in the negative mold and overmold material can be injected into the negative mold.