A molded foam is provided in which even when a force in a sliding direction is applied to another member in contact with its surface, the occurrence of a shift in position relative to the other member can effectively be prevented and the occurrence of unusual noise due to rubbing between its surface and the other member can effectively be prevented. The molded foam is formed by heating expandable resin particles filled into a foaming mold. The molded foam has a plurality of first ridges arranged in one direction and a plurality of second ridges arranged in another direction and disposed so as to intersect the first ridges, the first and second ridges being provided on the surface of the molded foam.

The present invention discloses a silencer for automobile. The silencer is formed by press molding. The silencer has a first molded surface and a second molded surface which are opposite to each other in a thickness direction. The silencer at least includes a first fiber layer on which the first molded surface is formed and a second fiber layer integrated with an opposite surface to the first molded surface, the opposite surface being on the first fiber layer. Fibers of the second fiber layer exist partly on the opposite surface on the first fiber layer.

The present invention is directed to a device for at least partially covering a vehicle floor pan of a motor vehicle, comprises a carrier element made at least by a hard foam material, a vibration decoupling element made at least by a soft foam material, a surface layer to visually cover the device from the top, wherein the device has a shield element, which is made at least by a plastic material and is configured for accepting, absorbing and distributing the energy of a localized impact stress, which is applied on the device from above against the shield element. The present invention is also directed to a method for producing the device.

This relates to a method for manufacturing a shell-like structural component for a vehicle using additive layer manufacturing. In a step of the method, a first material is applied to a region of the shell-like structural component. In another step of the method, the region of the shell-like structural component is heated by a laser beam such that the first material is added to the shell-like structural component. The shell-like structural component comprising the first material is cooled in another step such that an internal stress is generated within the shell-like structural component resulting in a bending of the shell-like structural component. This further relates to a shell-like structural component which is manufactured by a method using additive layer manufacturing.

An access floor of a motor vehicle comprising a structural core made from injection-molded thermoplastic material, the core comprising at least one first part, the first part having a first face for receiving feet of passengers, defining a generally flat and horizontal surface, and a first rear face, defining a non-planar surface, wherein the first part comprises a network of contiguous cells defining a repetitive pattern extending along two axes, the cells being open on the reception and rear faces and delimited by partitions extending vertically, wherein two contiguous cells having at least one common portion of the partition, the core comprising an MFR fluidity in accordance with ISO 1133, greater than or equal to 50, the partitions have a thickness of between 0.6 and 1.6 mm, the thickness varying progressively so as to exhibit at least one undercut enabling the core to be removed from the mold.

A one-step process for the production of a paneling is provided and, in particular, floor paneling for a motor vehicle with an insulation of fiber/absorbent nonwoven, as well as possibly further absorbent layers, which can differ zonally (partially) over the area and thickness of the insulation in their mechanical-physical and acoustic properties. The focus are nonwoven structures whose fiber orientation is perpendicular to the surface/wear layer of the floor paneling.

A structure for use in a compressible resilient pad. The structure contains both axially elastomeric strands and relatively inelastic strands co-extruded in various patterns. The structure has a high degree of both compressibility under an applied normal load and excellent recovery (resiliency or spring back) upon removal of that load.

A mould is for processing thermoformable panels or workpieces (P), wherein the half-moulds (2, 3), between which a workpiece (P) is placed, are equipped with inserts (20-22, 30-32, 40) that are thermally conditioned by a fluid circulating therein. A compensation layer (10) is applied onto the inserts and the associated half-mould to prevent the formation of marks and/or impressions of the inserts (20-22, 30-32, 40) on the surface (F) of the moulded workpiece (P). A moulding method uses the mould for processing thermoformable panels or workpieces.

Consolidation tooling is used in a continuous compression molding machine to produce a fiber reinforced thermoplastic part having a varying height. The tooling includes first and second tool dies adapted to compress and form a multi-ply stack of thermoplastic prepreg into a part, and at least a first tooling sleeve movable through the first and second tool dies. The tooling sleeve has at least a first tapered portion engageable with the multi-ply stack.

A plastic article with faux stitching, comprising an applique having a front side and a rear side opposite the front side, and formed of a preformed plastic sheet; a molded plastic platform; wherein the applique is insert-molded to the platform with the rear side of the applique bonded with the platform; wherein at least one faux stitch line is formed on the front side of the applique; wherein the at least one faux stitch line comprises faux stitches, which each comprise a stress-whitened region of the applique.