Abstract: A method for producing a thermo formed part includes closing in a mold a heated sheet (L) made of thermoplastic material in such a manner as to deform the latter, then cooling it inside the mold until complete consolidation is achieved. During cooling, the sheet is cut along at least one edge portion (E) thereof, this cutting operation causing a bending of the edge portion against an abutment surface (1s) in the mold; and removing the upper half-mold from the lower half-mold once the consolidation of the deformed sheet has been attained. During the cooling of the sheet inside the mold, subsequently to the cutting operation a folding operation is performed, this folding operation includes moving the abutment surface away from the edge portion of the sheet, and operating on the edge portion in such a manner as to resume its bending towards a support surface (2s) of the sheet in the mold.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 17, 2009
Date of Patent:
February 11, 2014
Assignee:
Johnson Controls Automotive S.r.l.
Inventors:
Donato Lapadula, Claudio Pagano, Alfonso Sorrentino
Abstract: A method for producing a thermo formed part includes closing in a mould a heated sheet (L) made of thermoplastic material in such a manner as to deform the latter, then cooling it inside the mould until complete consolidation is achieved. During cooling, the sheet is cut along at least one edge portion (E) thereof, this cutting operation causing a bending of the edge portion against an abutment surface (1s) in the mould; and removing the upper half-mould from the lower half-mould once the consolidation of the deformed sheet has been attained. During the cooling of the sheet inside the mould, subsequently to the cutting operation a folding operation is performed, this folding operation includes moving the abutment surface away from the edge portion of the sheet, and operating on the edge portion in such a manner as to resume its bending towards a support surface (2s) of the sheet in the mould.
Type:
Application
Filed:
November 17, 2009
Publication date:
September 15, 2011
Applicant:
JOHNSON CONTROLS AUTOMOTIVE S.r.l.
Inventors:
Donato Lapadula, Claudio Pagano, Alfonso Sorrentino