A method of producing a control panel for a vehicle. The method includes the following operations: a) producing a touch-sensitive film, the touch-sensitive film including a film, a conductive layer, a main decorative layer, and a secondary decorative layer, the conductive layer being arranged on an inner face of the film, the main decorative layer being arranged on an outer face of the film, and the secondary decorative layer having at least one critical deformation portion arranged on the inner face of the film in at least one corresponding critical deformation zone; b) shaping said touch-sensitive film, the touch-sensitive film being shaped in a non-developable three-dimensional manner in each critical deformation zone; and c) molding a layer of plastic material onto the main decorative layer.

A method for forming a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic control surface may comprise: stacking plies of thermoplastic composite sheets to a first desired thickness to form a first skin; stacking plies of thermoplastic composite sheets to a second desired thickness to form a second skin; forming the first skin in a first contour; forming the second skin in a second contour; forming a stiffening member including a thermoplastic resin, the stiffening member including a shape having a plurality of peaks and troughs; assembling the stiffening member between the first skin and the second skin; and joining the stiffening member to the first skin and the second skin.

A method for producing a decorative part which has a visible side with a decorative layer and an installation side with a substrate layer, wherein a polysiloxane-containing composition is applied to the visible side of the decorative layer to form a cover layer and is then cured. A decorative part which can be produced by this method.

A method for producing components of an outer skin of a vehicle with a film, which is back-molded at least from one a front side or rear side with clear plastics material, includes subjecting the film to a thermoforming process in order to generate the desired three-dimensional form. The film is subjected to further steps for preparation of the back-molding, including providing the film at least partially with a color layer. The film includes regions, through which other colors are intended to show through and be visible from the front side, or electromagnetic waves are intended to pass. The film may be punched-out in the regions to define punched-out portion in which components are inserted. The components are attached to the film by adhesive and/or overmolding on the rear side.

A glass assembly with a resin frame for a vehicle window includes a glass plate; and a resin frame disposed on a peripheral edge area of the glass plate, wherein an electrical component disposed in a second section and an electrical connection member disposed in a first section are electrically connected together via a through hole as a relay portion interposed between a surface and an inner side surface with an adhesive applied thereto, and wherein the through hole is sealed with a sealing member.

The invention relates to an apparatus and to a method for establishing a connection having material continuity or having material continuity and shaping matching or for separating such a connection of at least one metal or ceramic component and of a component formed from or by a thermoplastic polymer in which the components to be joined together can be pressed together by a pressing device having a counterholder and a plunger. A heating device is present at the plunger and/or at the counterholder or acts there. A heating of the at least one metal or ceramic component up to above the softening temperature of the component formed from or by polymer can be achieved with the heating device, with the heating device being having at least one electrical resistance heating element that is covered by an electrically insulating, preferably ceramic, protective film, and/or having at least one laser beam that is directed to the metal component(s) within the joining region, and/or having at least one inductor present at the plunger and/or at the counterholder for the inductive heating of the meal component(s).

Methods for ultrasonic welding of thermoplastic polymer workpieces and assemblies made therefrom are provided. The method may comprise disposing a first region of a first thermoplastic polymer workpiece and a second region of a second thermoplastic polymer workpiece between an ultrasonic horn and an anvil of an ultrasonic welding device. The first workpiece has a preformed deformation and at least one of the first and/or second workpieces has an adhesive precursor applied thereto. The ultrasonic horn or anvil seats within the preformed deformation. Ultrasonic energy is applied from the ultrasonic horn to create a weld nugget between the first and second workpieces. The assembly thus formed has a green strength sufficient to be further processed immediately. The methods provide a robust weld joint with controlled adhesive bondline thickness.

The present disclosure relates to a method for checking the integrity of a glue joint which is to be checked and which connects one portion of a body box and a body skin, which define an inner volume therebetween. The method includes: arranging at least one ultrasound sensing device in the inner volume; emitting a pressurized directional air jet opposite a predetermined area of the glue joint; recording a noise level detected by the ultrasound sensing device in the inner volume; and determining an integrity defect in the glue joint according to the recorded noise level.

A plastic glazing of a window of a vehicle having a light feature includes a first vehicle window glazing component, a second vehicle window glazing component molded onto the first vehicle window glazing component, and a light unit configured to produce light for the light feature. The light unit being integrated with at least one of the following: the first vehicle window glazing component and the second vehicle window glazing component. The light unit further configured to direct the light for the light feature through or from at least one of the following: the first vehicle window glazing component and the second vehicle window glazing component. The plastic glazing is a one-piece molded plastic construction. At least one of the first vehicle window glazing component and the second vehicle window glazing component is translucent or transparent.

The invention disclosed herein is an automotive acoustic panel including a porous sound-absorption material made from a polymer and an expanded perlite. One or more silane compounds may be coupled or coated onto the expanded perlite while a coupling agent and a chemical foaming agent may additionally be added to the automotive acoustic panel.