Pressure moulding process, and related device (100), for manufacturing an article, the process comprising: providing a substrate (70) made of a composite material comprising a first polymeric material and fibres impregnated with said first polymeric material; providing a coating sheet (71); heating said substrate (70) to a temperature of the substrate (70) greater than 160? C.; subsequently, during a first compression step, compressing under pressure the substrate (70) and the coating sheet (71) between a first conformation surface (1) and a second conformation surface (2) for conforming the substrate (70) and the coating sheet (71) and for firmly fixing the substrate (70) and the coating sheet (71) to each other; during a second compression step subsequent to the first compression step, compressing under pressure the substrate (70) and the coating sheet (71) between the first (1) and second conformation surface (2) and injecting a second polymeric material in an injection cavity (3) having an outlet mouth (4) onto the first conformation surface (1), wherein a first face of the substrate (70) opposite to the coating sheet (71) is in contact with the first conformation surface (1); cooling the second polymeric material for firmly fixing the second polymeric material to the first face of the substrate (70), wherein, during the first compression step, a temperature of the first (1) and second conformation surface (2) is less than 120? C.

There is described an apparatus for performing the in-mold decoration method with an injection tool (1). The injection tool (1) has a first tool portion (11) having a first mold recess (13) and a second tool portion (12) having a second mold recess (15) corresponding to the first mold recess. The second tool portion (12) has at least one injection passage (12e), wherein a portion of an endless decorative film (16) can be arranged between the first tool portion (11) and the second tool portion (12). The mold recess (13) of the first tool portion (11) has a raised edge region (14) extending in a closed configuration around the mold recess (13) and having an end face (14s) which is flattened or rounded or pointed in cross-section. The second tool portion (12) has a corresponding end face (12s) parallel to the end face (14s) of the raised edge region (14). When the injection tool (1) is closed there is a spacing (s) between the end face (14s) of the raised edge region (14) of the first tool portion (11) and the corresponding end face (12s) of the second tool portion (12) at least over a subregion, wherein the spacing is sealed by the decorative film (16). A method for same is further described.

A one-shot molding apparatus and method press-mold a trim component body between upper and lower molds, and injection-mold a plastic rim onto an edge of the trim component body using an additional edge molding tool, in a single molding apparatus in a single molding cycle. The edge molding tool may have a cutting edge that cooperates with a counter edge on the upper or lower mold to remove excess material and form a precise cut edge of the trim component body before forming the molded rim. The edge molding tool is movable relative to the upper and lower molds in a direction parallel or perpendicular or oblique relative to a motion direction of the upper and lower molds. Additional movable nested tools can be provided on the upper and/or lower mold to achieve greater adaptability of the injection-molding cavity. The rim can be molded onto the cut edge, and molded around the edge onto the back and/or front side of the trim component body. The trim component may be a trim panel for the interior of a motor vehicle.

A method of forming a trim panel is provided. The method including the steps of: placing a non-woven mat of material in a heating press; heating the material to a predetermined temperature; applying a decorative film to a first surface of the heated material to create a bilaminate; placing the bilaminate layer into a cavity of a tool such that the decorative film is facing the cavity; heating the cavity; and injecting a thermoplastic resin into the tool such that the thermoplastic resin is adhered to a second surface of the material, the second surface being opposite to the first surface.

There is described an apparatus for performing the in-mold decoration method with an injection tool (1). The injection tool (1) has a first tool portion (11) having a first mold recess (13) and a second tool portion (12) having a second mold recess (15) corresponding to the first mold recess. The second tool portion (12) has at least one injection passage (12e), wherein a portion of an endless decorative film (16) can be arranged between the first tool portion (11) and the second tool portion (12). The mold recess (13) of the first tool portion (11) has a raised edge region (14) extending in a closed configuration around the mold recess (13) and having an end face (14s) which is flattened or rounded or pointed in cross-section. The second tool portion (12) has a corresponding end face (12s) parallel to the end face (14s) of the raised edge region (14). When the injection tool (1) is closed there is a spacing (s) between the end face (14s) of the raised edge region (14) of the first tool portion (11) and the corresponding end face (12s) of the second tool portion (12) at least over a subregion, wherein the spacing is sealed by the decorative film (16). A method for same is further described.

A method for producing a fibrous composite material component, in particular for a vehicle. According to the method, at least one dry woven fabric layer is initially provided, wherein the woven fabric layer includes carbon fibers. A binder is then applied to the woven fabric layer. Further, the woven fabric layer is reshaped into a preform layer, wherein the binder is activated during the reshaping and the woven fabric is stabilized in the reshaped shape. The preform layer is then applied to further woven fabric layers in order to strengthen the shape. The connection of the preform layer and the further woven fabric layers thus results in a preform, which is inserted into a molding tool for carrying out an RTM process. Then, the RTM process is carried out in order to obtain a fibrous composite material component.

A vehicle interior material manufacturing device and a method for manufacturing a vehicle interior material using the same are disclosed. The device includes a first mold on which a Skin is supported, and a second mold configured to be opened and closed with respect to the first mold and on which a Base is supported. The first mold comprises a forming recess recessed on one surface of a first body, and a cutting section provided on both sides of the forming recess on the first body, the cutting section being configured to cut an end portion of the Base supported by the second mold during a mold closing process between the first and second molds.

Pressure moulding process, and related device (100), for manufacturing an article, the process comprising: providing a substrate (70) made of a composite material comprising a first polymeric material and fibres impregnated with said first polymeric material; providing a coating sheet (71); heating said substrate (70) to a temperature of the substrate (70) greater than 160 C.; subsequently, during a first compression step, compressing under pressure the substrate (70) and the coating sheet (71) between a first conformation surface (1) and a second conformation surface (2) for conforming the substrate (70) and the coating sheet (71) and for firmly fixing the substrate (70) and the coating sheet (71) to each other; during a second compression step subsequent to the first compression step, compressing under pressure the substrate (70) and the coating sheet (71) between the first (1) and second conformation surface (2) and injecting a second polymeric material in an injection cavity (3) having an outlet mouth (4) onto the first conformation surface (1), wherein a first face of the substrate (70) opposite to the coating sheet (71) is in contact with the first conformation surface (1); cooling the second polymeric material for firmly fixing the second polymeric material to the first face of the substrate (70), wherein, during the first compression step, a temperature of the first (1) and second conformation surface (2) is less than 120 C.