METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MOLDING HEADLINERS

摘要

A method for forming a vehicle headliner (112) comprises providing at least one layer of formable material (114) and a cover member (116); heating the layer (114) and the cover member (116); providing a mold (110, 210) having a pair of mold halves (120, 122) and a compressible seal (130) disposed between the mold halves (120, 122), at least one of the mold halves (122) having an aperture (133) and a channel (134) in communication with the aperture (133); positioning the layer (114) and the cover (116) member between the mold halves (120, 122); bringing the mold halves (120, 122) toward each other to effect a sealed relationship; and applying a vacuum pressure to the aperture (133) to sufficiently draw the mold halves (120, 122) together and compress the seal (130), thereby compressing the at least one layer (114) and the cover member (116) together to form the headliner (112). An apparatus for practicing the method is also disclosed.