A fixture plate includes a base having a contact face configured to support a dental model having a model identifier on a bottom surface. A bore extends through the base to one or more channels formed in the contact face and that extend from the bore. A viewing port extends through the base and has a transparent material inserted therein to seal the viewing port at the contact face. The viewing port and the transparent material enable the model identifier to be accessed from underneath the contact face when the dental model is on the contact face. A protrusion extends from the contact face and is configured to interface with an aperture of the dental model to retain the dental model in a specific orientation. The channels are configured to provide a suction force applied through the bore to hold the dental model against the contact face.

A seat trim cover having a 3-dimensional shape for an automotive vehicle seat is formed by pre-cutting a laminate blank into a predefined shape having a predefined selvage extending around an outer periphery of the laminate blank, vacuum forming the laminate blank in a 3-dimensional mold to form a 3-dimensional laminate blank, and forming a molded foam backing on the 3-dimensional shaped laminate blank to form the seat trim cover. The molded foam backing has an outer perimeter that is spaced apart from the predefined selvage such that the predefined selvage is free of foam.

Provided is a method of laminating a surfacing film to an article. The method includes disposing a cutting filament onto a peripheral edge of the article, thermoforming a surfacing film onto the article with the cutting filament, peeling the cutting filament away from the peripheral edge of the article to separate a first portion of the surfacing film from a second portion of the surfacing film, and peeling the first portion of the surfacing film away from the second portion of the surfacing film. Significant benefits include simplification of the trimming process and reduced costs by eliminating need for custom trimming tools and/or laser trimming equipment.

Provided is a method of laminating a surfacing film to an article. The method includes disposing a cutting filament onto a peripheral edge of the article, thermoforming a surfacing film onto the article with the cutting filament, peeling the cutting filament away from the peripheral edge of the article to separate a first portion of the surfacing film from a second portion of the surfacing film, and peeling the first portion of the surfacing film away from the second portion of the surfacing film. Significant benefits include simplification of the trimming process and reduced costs by eliminating need for custom trimming tools and/or laser trimming equipment.

A system and method for forming plastic sheet into a three-dimensional shape. The plastic sheet may include one or more sheet-mounted components, such as electronics, that must be shielded from excessive heat, pressure, and/or crushing when the formation of the sheet occurs. A recess will be formed to protect against directly contacting sheet-mounted component. The recess may be aligned along the heating plate and/or the form core and/or along a protective blanket which may be set over (and under) sheet prior to heating/forming. The sheet is registered (with or without a blanket) onto a base plate, and preferably over a form core. The sheet is then raised to contact with a heating plate, and then placed downward over the (optionally heated) form core. Recess(es) align in locations corresponding to mounted component to protect same.

A system and method for forming plastic sheet into a three-dimensional shape. The plastic sheet may include one or more sheet-mounted components, such as electronics, that must be shielded from excessive heat, pressure, and/or crushing when the formation of the sheet occurs. A recess will be formed to protect against directly contacting sheet-mounted component. The recess may be aligned along the heating plate and/or the form core and/or along a protective blanket which may be set over (and under) sheet prior to heating/forming. The sheet is registered (with or without a blanket) onto a base plate, and preferably over a form core. The sheet is then raised to contact with a heating plate, and then placed downward over the (optionally heated) form core. Recess(es) align in locations corresponding to mounted component to protect same.

A method includes: (a.) providing a fabric comprising a first surface and a second surface; (b.) placing the fabric on a support structure adapted to permit gas circulation through at least a portion of a surface of the support structure, wherein the fabric is placed such that the first surface of the fabric faces the surface of the support structure and such that the fabric is arranged at least in part over a raised or embossed portion of the support structure; (c.) providing at least one coating comprising a first coating surface and a second coating surface opposite the first coating surface; (d.) placing the coating at least partially on the second surface of the fabric, such that the first coating surface faces the fabric; and (e.) applying a gas pressure differential between the second coating surface and the first surface of the fabric.

A method includes: (a.) providing a fabric comprising a first surface and a second surface; (b.) placing the fabric on a support structure adapted to permit gas circulation through at least a portion of a surface of the support structure, wherein the fabric is placed such that the first surface of the fabric faces the surface of the support structure and such that the fabric is arranged at least in part over a raised or embossed portion of the support structure; (c.) providing at least one coating comprising a first coating surface and a second coating surface opposite the first coating surface; (d.) placing the coating at least partially on the second surface of the fabric, such that the first coating surface faces the fabric; and (e.) applying a gas pressure differential between the second coating surface and the first surface of the fabric.

A method of forming a vacuum insulated structure includes providing a structural envelope an insulating cavity defined within the structural envelope. An expanding device is attached to opposing outer walls of the structural envelope and the interior cavity is expanded by pulling the opposing outer walls away from one another to define an expanded state. An insulating material is disposed within the insulating cavity to occupy substantially all of the insulating cavity in the expanded state. Gas is expressed from the insulating cavity to collapse the structural envelope to a final state and a final interior volume that is less than the expanded interior volume. The final state of the structural envelope defines a densified state of the insulating material within the insulating cavity. The vacuum port is then closed to hermetically seal the insulating cavity.

A method of forming a vacuum insulated structure includes providing a structural envelope an insulating cavity defined within the structural envelope. An expanding device is attached to opposing outer walls of the structural envelope and the interior cavity is expanded by pulling the opposing outer walls away from one another to define an expanded state. An insulating material is disposed within the insulating cavity to occupy substantially all of the insulating cavity in the expanded state. Gas is expressed from the insulating cavity to collapse the structural envelope to a final state and a final interior volume that is less than the expanded interior volume. The final state of the structural envelope defines a densified state of the insulating material within the insulating cavity. The vacuum port is then closed to hermetically seal the insulating cavity.