Methods of monitoring and controlling a molding process using a sensed change in strain provided by a strain gauge are provided. A target strain profile is created for a molding process of a molding apparatus. An upper and lower deviation limit from the target strain profile for the molding process is provided. If a sensed change in strain exceeds a deviation limit, an alarm is activated.

Described herein is a process for preparing a molded article including at least one structured surface, said process including applying a composition, preferably a foam material, into a mold having at least one structured inner surface and curing said composition to provide the molded structured article. The inner surfaces of the mold can be coated with a coating composition to obtain molded structured articles further including a flexible and durable coating layer. The present invention also relates to a structured molded article, preferably a shoe sole, which is obtained by the process.

An injection molded product includes a main body portion having a design surface and an opposite surface; and a projecting portion provided at a peripheral edge portion of the main body portion, and projecting out toward a side opposite from the design surface in a thickness direction of the main body portion, wherein a thickness A of the main body portion and a thickness B of the projecting portion satisfy a relationship of A≥B.

An injection molded product includes a main body portion having a design surface and an opposite surface; and a projecting portion provided at a peripheral edge portion of the main body portion, and projecting out toward a side opposite from the design surface in a thickness direction of the main body portion, wherein a thickness A of the main body portion and a thickness B of the projecting portion satisfy a relationship of A≥B.

A foam-molded product including a foam layer, and a skin layer covering the foam layer, in which the maximum diameter of bubbles in the foam layer is 0.90 mm or less; and a method for manufacturing a foam-molded product and a method for suppressing an appearance defect of a foam-molded product, including an injection process and a foaming process, wherein the foam-molded product after molding includes a foam layer and a skin layer covering the foam layer, the skin layer having an average thickness of from 0.3 mm to 0.7 mm, and wherein expanding of the volume of the cavity includes performing a core-back process of the mold such that a thickness of the foam-molded product after molding is within ±0.2 mm of a predetermined target thickness.

A foam-molded product including a foam layer, and a skin layer covering the foam layer, in which the maximum diameter of bubbles in the foam layer is 0.90 mm or less; and a method for manufacturing a foam-molded product and a method for suppressing an appearance defect of a foam-molded product, including an injection process and a foaming process, wherein the foam-molded product after molding includes a foam layer and a skin layer covering the foam layer, the skin layer having an average thickness of from 0.3 mm to 0.7 mm, and wherein expanding of the volume of the cavity includes performing a core-back process of the mold such that a thickness of the foam-molded product after molding is within ±0.2 mm of a predetermined target thickness.

A foam article, such as a cushioning element for an article of footwear, apparel or sporting equipment is provided that comprises a foam component, such as a midsole, having a number of beneficial physical characteristics. The cushioning element is a low-density foamed component with a surface skin that encases the remaining foam volume. The cushioning element has a number of foam volumes, arranged to achieve a more consistent foam component. Additionally, the cushioning element includes a series of concentric ridges extending radially outwardly from injection gate vestige locations, and a number of striation bands near the perimeter of the cushioning element. The location of the gate vestiges can be beneficially arranged to produce intersecting flow boundaries that are located away from key strain areas of the cushioning element. The cushioning element is more environmentally-friendly, requiring less energy to produce while still providing acceptable energy return and low density.

The present disclosure relates to a crash pad for a vehicle and a manufacturing method thereof. In an embodiment, the crash pad for a vehicle includes: a skin layer configured to form an outer surface of a crash pad including an airbag module; a core layer formed on a lower surface of the skin layer; and a foam layer formed between the core layer and the skin layer, wherein the skin layer has a tensile strength of 15 to 120 kgf/cm.sup.2 and an elongation at break of 50 to 700% measured in accordance with JIS K6301 standard, and a bonding strength of 0.25 kgf/cm or more as measured in accordance with ISO 813 standard.

The present disclosure relates to a crash pad for a vehicle and a manufacturing method thereof. In an embodiment, the crash pad for a vehicle includes: a skin layer configured to form an outer surface of a crash pad including an airbag module; a core layer formed on a lower surface of the skin layer; and a foam layer formed between the core layer and the skin layer, wherein the skin layer has a tensile strength of 15 to 120 kgf/cm.sup.2 and an elongation at break of 50 to 700% measured in accordance with JIS K6301 standard, and a bonding strength of 0.25 kgf/cm or more as measured in accordance with ISO 813 standard.

The present invention discloses a foaming and dyeing integrated production line for a polymer material product, and a method thereof. The production line comprises a foaming and dyeing kettle, a pressure control module, a dye separation module, a fluid liquefaction and storage module, a fluid pressurization delivery module, a fluid heating module and a dyeing circulation module. The production line integrates the functions of one-step foaming and supercritical fluid dyeing of polymer material, thereby being simple in structure, comprehensive in function, convenient to operate, high in production efficiency, good in product quality and low in cost; besides, the production line can carry out both dyeing and foaming operations, only foaming operation or only dyeing operation on polymer material.