Provided is a method for welding an accessory part made of a thermoplastic resin to a parison which is being molded into a tank body. The method includes steps of: forming the accessory part to include an annular portion having an annular shape and a plurality of projections each projecting from the annual portion in a radially inward direction; and pressing the annular portion and the projections into the parison to be welded to the parison. Also provided is a welding structure of a tank body made of a resin and an accessory part made of a thermoplastic resin and welded to a wall surface of the tank body. The accessory part includes: an annular portion having an annular shape; and a plurality of projections each projecting from the annular portion in a radially inward direction. The annular portion and the plurality of projections are welded to the wall surface.

A method for assembling shoe components includes the steps of: providing at least two shoe components, a shoe last and a film unit; placing the at least two shoe components on an outer surface of the shoe last; removably covering an assembly of the at least two shoe components and the shoe last with the film unit such that the film unit and the shoe last cooperatively define a confining space therebetween; and pumping air out of the confining space and heating the at least two shoe components to shrink and deform the film unit so as to press the at least two shoe components to adhere tightly to each other.

Methods and apparatus for vacuum forming a meat tray using a slurry. The slurry comprises: a moisture barrier comprising AKD in the range of about 4% by weight; a fiber base comprising bagasse; and an oil barrier comprising a water-based emulsion in the range of about 1.5% by weight.

Methods and apparatus for vacuum forming a meat tray using a slurry. The slurry comprises: a moisture barrier comprising AKD in the range of about 4% by weight; a fiber base comprising bagasse; and an oil barrier comprising a water-based emulsion in the range of about 1.5% by weight.

A method of forming a part from a blank includes positioning the blank within a forming die. Water is introduced between the blank and the forming die. The water is heated to form steam between the blank and the forming die. The blank is reshaped within the forming die to form the part while the steam is disposed between the blank and the forming die. The steam forms a cushion between the blank and the forming die to reduce friction therebetween. A lubricant is not applied to the blank prior to being positioned in the forming die. Therefore, the formed part does not require a washing step after being formed.

A vacuum form tooling is configured for a press or vacuum lamination system. The vacuum form tooling comprises a negatively pressurized lower mold supporting at least one substrate element to be laminated or to provide at least one molding tool to be molded. The vacuum form tooling further comprises a negatively pressurized upper mold. The vacuum form tooling includes a clamping frame adapted to clamp a film portion to be laminated on the at least one substrate element or to be molded onto the at least one molding tool. Said clamping frame is moveable from a first position to a second position. In the first position, the clamped film portion can be sucked at least partially into the negatively pressurized upper mold. In the second position, the clamped film portion can be sucked for lamination on the at least one substrate element.

A vacuum form tooling is configured for a press or vacuum lamination system. The vacuum form tooling comprises a negatively pressurized lower mold supporting at least one substrate element to be laminated or to provide at least one molding tool to be molded. The vacuum form tooling further comprises a negatively pressurized upper mold. The vacuum form tooling includes a clamping frame adapted to clamp a film portion to be laminated on the at least one substrate element or to be molded onto the at least one molding tool. Said clamping frame is moveable from a first position to a second position. In the first position, the clamped film portion can be sucked at least partially into the negatively pressurized upper mold. In the second position, the clamped film portion can be sucked for lamination on the at least one substrate element.

Personal watercraft and personal watercraft fabrication using a thermoforming process are described. The personal watercraft manufacturing process includes a set of molds, thermoforming equipment, and thermal formable materials. The process greatly reduces manufacturing costs, decreases manufacturing time, increases part consistency and tolerances, offers better performance characteristics and durability and results in less environmentally harmful deposits and waste.

Personal watercraft and personal watercraft fabrication using a thermoforming process are described. The personal watercraft manufacturing process includes a set of molds, thermoforming equipment, and thermal formable materials. The process greatly reduces manufacturing costs, decreases manufacturing time, increases part consistency and tolerances, offers better performance characteristics and durability and results in less environmentally harmful deposits and waste.

Systems and methods for forming 3D plastic parts that are cost effective in low volume, have excellent fit and finish, and use many components from 2D construction are disclosed. The systems and methods involve selecting a design and modelling the design. The design comprises 2D and 3D components of plastic parts. A 3D forming buck corresponding to the 3D component is manufactured. At least one of a 2D part and the 3D forming buck may be heated. The 2D part may be loaded onto the 3D forming buck for a predefined period of time. The 3D part formed after the loading may be separated from the 3D forming buck. The 3D part is the 2D part generally having taken the shape of the 3D forming buck. The 3D part may be cooled to obtain an end product.