An apparatus is described for securing an edge of the material to a support surface. A guide surface is positioned adjacent the edge to be secured. A weld head engages the edge of the material in a plurality of locations. A drive mechanism advances the weld head on the guide surface. The weld head engages the edge of the material and transfers energy to secure the edge of material in the desired position on the support surface.

A steering wheel sheath includes a carbon fiber-comprising composite element and a leather element. The composite element forms a notch and a receiving space axially. Two ends of the composite element extend to form two connection portions bending by a predetermined angle. Inner walls of openings at two ends of the leather element form two engaging portions corresponding in position to the two connection portions of the composite element. An adhesive is applied to outer walls of the two connection portions of the composite element or inner walls of the two engaging portions of the leather element; hence, the composite element and the leather element are connected, coupled and fixed together. The customized manufacturing process allows the steering wheel sheath to be mounted by users and enhances overall feel.

Manufacturing and assembly of a shoe or a portion of a shoe is enhanced by automated placement and assembly of shoe parts. For example, a part-recognition system analyzes an image of a shoe part to identify the part and determine a location of the part. Once the part is identified and located, the part can be manipulated by an automated manufacturing tool.

Manufacturing and assembly of a shoe or a portion of a shoe is enhanced by automated placement and assembly of shoe parts. For example, a part-recognition system analyzes an image of a shoe part to identify the part and determine a location of the part. Once the part is identified and located, the part can be manipulated by an automated manufacturing tool.

A steering wheel sheath includes a carbon fiber-comprising composite element and a leather element. The composite element forms a notch and a receiving space axially. Two ends of the composite element extend to form two connection portions bending by a predetermined angle. Inner walls of openings at two ends of the leather element form two engaging portions corresponding in position to the two connection portions of the composite element. An adhesive is applied to outer walls of the two connection portions of the composite element or inner walls of the two engaging portions of the leather element; hence, the composite element and the leather element are connected, coupled and fixed together. The customized manufacturing process allows the steering wheel sheath to be mounted by users and enhances overall feel.

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a flexible skin which has at least one insert adhered thereto. In a first step, the skin is molded on a mold surface. In order to adhere the insert to the skin, an opening is first made in the skin giving access to the back face of the insert. The insert is positioned with its back face against the front face of the skin and an adhering layer is provided which is adhesively connected to the back face of the skin layer which surrounds the opening in the skin layer and, through this opening, to the back face of the insert. The adhering layer is preferably produced by applying a layer of a hardenable material, in particular a curable polyurethane composition. Since the back face of the insert engages the front side of the skin penetration of hardenable material to the front face of the insert is avoided.

Manufacturing and assembly of a shoe or a portion of a shoe is enhanced by automated placement and assembly of shoe parts. For example, a part-recognition system analyzes an image of a shoe part to identify the part and determine a location of the part. Once the part is identified and located, the part can be manipulated by an automated manufacturing tool.

Manufacturing and assembly of a shoe or a portion of a shoe is enhanced by automated placement and assembly of shoe parts. For example, a part-recognition system analyzes an image of a shoe part to identify the part and determine a location of the part. Once the part is identified and located, the part can be manipulated by an automated manufacturing tool.

Process for coating a preformed substrate (1), comprising providing a semi-finished product (2) comprising the preformed substrate (1) and a coating layer (3), providing a mould (4) comprising a first (5) and a second half-mould (6), the first half-mould (5) comprising an elastically deformable membrane (8) which at least partially forms a respective conformation surface (7), arranging the semi-finished product (2) on the second half-mould (6), putting under depression a fluid (11) acting on the membrane (8) to maintain the membrane (8) adherent to a main body (50) of the first half-mould, closing the mould (4) maintaining a free distance between the conformation surface (7) of the first half-mould (5) and the semi-finished product (2), pressurizing the fluid (11) to expand the membrane (8) towards the second half-mould (6) for compressing the semi-finished product, maintaining the membrane (8) in the second configuration, heating the semi-finished product (2) for firmly fixing the preformed substrate (1) and the coating layer (3) to each other.

A method of forming three-dimensional composite comprising steps of: (a) manufacturing at least one shaping member; (b) fitting each of the at least one shaping member on each of at least one mold; (c) adhering at least one connection sheet on said each shaping member so as to form each of at least one semi-finished product; (d) fixing said each semi-finished product in a cavity; and (e) heating said each semi-finished product and vacuuming the cavity. Said shaping member has at least one orifice and covers said each mold, and each connection sheet has a substrate and an adhesive layer, a melting point of the adhesive layer is less than the substrate. Said each semi-finished product in the cavity is heated until the adhesive layer melts, and the cavity is vacuumed so that the adhesive layer penetrates into said each shaping member, thus producing a three-dimensional finished product.