A method of manufacturing an embossed hydrophobic covering element for construction or decoration for protecting the surface from humidity or inclement weather. This method includes preparing a mixture of water and at least one organic material in a tank in which the organic material is insoluble in water, stirring the mixture so as to disperse the organic material in suspension in water, molding the prepared and stored mixture by immersing a forming mold under vacuum inside the tank in order to form a molded element, drying and densifying the molded element under vacuum so as to obtained a dried and densified element, and fully impregnating the dried and densified element in the binder so as to form the hydrophobic covering element. The binder is of an organic material. The organic material originates from a sustainably renewable resource.

A bodywork component for a vehicle includes a base element and a transmission element. The base element has fiber-reinforced plastic with base fibers. The transmission element has fiber-reinforced plastic with transmission fibers. The transmission fibers are configured to enable radio signal communication through the transmission element, and have a higher radio signal transmissibility than the base fibers.

A method for making apertures in a precursor web using a forming apparatus is described herein. The precursor web comprises a film layer and a nonwoven layer having molecular orientation and the forming apparatus comprises an arrangement of teeth. The forming apparatus heats and stretches the precursor web forming apertures therein.

A tool for fabrication of a thermoplastic panel includes a sealed vessel, a membrane and a heater. The sealed vessel defines a volume. The sealed vessel includes first and second fluid ports. The membrane is disposed within the volume to define first and second chambers. The first chamber receives a skin and a core of the thermoplastic panel. The first chamber selectively applies a first fluidic pressure to the skin and the core in response to receiving a first fluid via the first fluid port. The membrane abuts a major surface of the thermoplastic panel. The second chamber selectively applies a second fluidic pressure to the membrane in response to receiving a second fluid via the second fluid port. The heater selectively directs heat toward the first chamber. A method for fabrication of the thermoplastic panel is provided. Various examples of thermoplastic panels are also provided.

A method for making apertures in a precursor web using a forming apparatus is described herein. The precursor web comprises a film layer and a nonwoven layer having molecular orientation and the forming apparatus comprises an arrangement of teeth. The forming apparatus heats and stretches the precursor web forming apertures therein.

A method for making apertures in a precursor web using a forming apparatus is provided where the web comprises a film having molecular orientation and the forming apparatus comprises an arrangement of teeth. The orientation of the arrangement of teeth and the molecular orientation of the film are predetermined and modified to provide a relative angle between the orientation of the teeth and the molecular orientation of the film. Apertures formed in the precursor web material have a length and width exhibiting a minimal aspect ratio.

A method for making apertures in a precursor web using a forming apparatus is provided where the web comprises a film having molecular orientation and the forming apparatus comprises an arrangement of teeth. The orientation of the arrangement of teeth and the molecular orientation of the film are predetermined and modified to provide a relative angle between the orientation of the teeth and the molecular orientation of the film. Apertures formed in the precursor web material have a length and width exhibiting a minimal aspect ratio.

A method for making apertures in a precursor web using a forming apparatus is provided where the web comprises a film having molecular orientation and the forming apparatus comprises an arrangement of teeth. The orientation of the arrangement of teeth and the molecular orientation of the film are predetermined and modified to provide a relative angle between the orientation of the teeth and the molecular orientation of the film. Apertures formed in the precursor web material have a length and width exhibiting a minimal aspect ratio.