A method of folding edges of trim parts includes the following steps. Place an inner surface of a substrate against a panel support so that an upper end of the substrate is disposed above a top end of the panel support. Press a backup blade against an outer surface of the substrate beneath the upper end of the substrate. A folder tool of an edge folding apparatus is urged against the inner surface of the upper end of the substrate in a horizontal direction which laterally folds the upper end 96 of the substrate. Remove the backup blade from the outer surface of the substrate. Then urge the folder tool of the edge folding apparatus against the inner surface of the substrate in a vertical direction and downwardly folding the upper end 96 of the substrate.

The invention generally relates to shape memory films that are tri-functionally crosslinked and that comprise multiple, non-terminal, phenylethynyl moieties. In addition, the present invention relates methods of fabricating such films. Due to the improved properties of such SMPS, the SMP designer can program in to the SMP mechanical property enhancements that make the SMP suitable, among other things, for advanced sensors, high temperature actuators, responder matrix materials and heat responsive packaging.

The invention generally relates to shape memory films that are tri-functionally crosslinked and that comprise multiple, non-terminal, phenylethynyl moieties. In addition, the present invention relates methods of fabricating such films. Due to the improved properties of such SMPS, the SMP designer can program in to the SMP mechanical property enhancements that make the SMP suitable, among other things, for advanced sensors, high temperature actuators, responder matrix materials and heat responsive packaging.

According to one implementation, a composite material forming jig includes molds and a tilting structure. The molds are developable for laminating fiber sheets, after or before impregnated with a resin, in a developed state where the molds are developed. At least one mold of the molds is capable of being inclined relatively to another mold of the molds so that the laminated fiber sheets are shaped. The tilting structure is adapted to develop the molds when the fiber sheets are laminated and incline the at least one mold when the laminated fiber sheets are shaped.

A protective film of the present invention is used at the time of performing heat bending on the resin substrate, and includes a base material layer and a pressure sensitive adhesive layer adhered to a resin substrate, in which the base material layer includes a first layer which is positioned on an opposite side of the pressure sensitive adhesive layer and has a melting point of 150° C. or higher, and includes a second layer which is positioned on a pressure sensitive adhesive layer side and has a melting point of lower than 150° C., the pressure sensitive adhesive layer has a melting point of lower than 150° C., and MFR of a thermoplastic resin contained in the second layer, which is measured in conformity with JIS K7210, is in a range of 0.5 g/10 min to 4.0 g/10 min.

A protective film of the present invention is used at the time of performing heat bending on the resin substrate, and includes a base material layer and a pressure sensitive adhesive layer adhered to a resin substrate, in which the base material layer includes a first layer which is positioned on an opposite side of the pressure sensitive adhesive layer and has a melting point of 150° C. or higher, and includes a second layer which is positioned on a pressure sensitive adhesive layer side and has a melting point of lower than 150° C., the pressure sensitive adhesive layer has a melting point of lower than 150° C., and MFR of a thermoplastic resin contained in the second layer, which is measured in conformity with JIS K7210, is in a range of 0.5 g/10 min to 4.0 g/10 min.

An apparatus for forming pre-shaped insulating sheets comprises a first bending station and a second bending station. The first bending station is used for bending a flat sheet of insulating material into a Z-shaped sheet (5). The second bending station is used for bending the Z-shaped sheet into an S-shape. The first and second bending stations comprise pairs of first (13a, 13b) and second bending operators for creating bending movements.

Forming systems and methods for drape forming a composite charge are disclosed herein. The forming systems include a forming die having a forming surface configured to receive the composite charge and a collapsible support having a support surface. The forming surface has a forming surface edge that extends along a length of the forming surface, and the support surface has a die-proximate support surface edge that extends along the length of the support surface. The forming surface edge and the die-proximate support surface edge define a gap therebetween. A shape of the die-proximate support surface edge corresponds to a shape of the forming surface edge such that a gap width of the gap is at least substantially constant along a length of the gap. The collapsible support is configured to transition from an extended conformation to a collapsed conformation. The methods include methods of utilizing the systems.

A method for bending a vinyl floor plank to form a stair nose plank. A first bending gap is established between two blending blocks and a second bend gap is established between two second bending blocks. Heat is applied to a vinyl floor plank along a first bend location. The vinyl floor plank is then placed into the first bend gap. A user presses downward on the vinyl floor plank to form a first right angle bend. Heat is applied to a vinyl floor plank along a second bend location. The vinyl floor plank is then placed into the second bend gap. The user presses downward on the vinyl floor plank to form a second right angle bend. The first right angle bend and the second right angle bend combine to form a U-shaped bend to form a stair nose plank. In a preferred embodiment the stair nose plank includes a locking mechanism along its edges. In a preferred embodiment heat is applied by utilization of an acrylic bending machine.

A method for bending a vinyl floor plank to form a stair nose plank. A first bending gap is established between two blending blocks and a second bend gap is established between two second bending blocks. Heat is applied to a vinyl floor plank along a first bend location. The vinyl floor plank is then placed into the first bend gap. A user presses downward on the vinyl floor plank to form a first right angle bend. Heat is applied to a vinyl floor plank along a second bend location. The vinyl floor plank is then placed into the second bend gap. The user presses downward on the vinyl floor plank to form a second right angle bend. The first right angle bend and the second right angle bend combine to form a U-shaped bend to form a stair nose plank. In a preferred embodiment the stair nose plank includes a locking mechanism along its edges. In a preferred embodiment heat is applied by utilization of an acrylic bending machine.