Abstract: A method of producing a mold cavity insert using powder metals includes the steps of providing a master die having a pattern with a shape that defines a mold cavity, applying powder metal in the master die, and compacting the powder metal within the master die with a press assembly to form a compacted part. The method further includes the steps of removing the compacted part from the master die, placing the compacted part in a furnace, and heating the compacted part in the furnace to an elevated temperature to cure the part and provide a mold cavity insert that may be employed in a mold.

Abstract: A backlighted button or knob made by multi-shot molding has a translucent part and an opaque part. At the front of the button the translucent part contains a ridge shaped in the form of a symbol which is illuminated. The opaque part surrounds the ridge to mask light to surrounding areas. Where the symbol is a closed figure defining an island, a passage behind the ridge coupled the island to the surrounding areas to allow opaque material to flow to the island during molding, and results in an opaque bridge in the passage. To minimize a shadow of the bridge on the illuminated symbol the bridge is spaced far behind the ridge to allow light to be conducted through the translucent material to the ridge portion just in front of the bridge.

Abstract: For economy of molding and ease of assembly to a control panel, a one-piece cluster of push buttons arrayed in two rows includes hinges coupling groups of buttons. Each hinge is located at the intersection of four buttons and includes an arm extending from a corner of each button in a group. Each arm extends transverse to the plane of the cluster, and the four adjacent arms join to form an arch. Each arm is long and thin enough to be quite flexible for permitting each button to operate independently of the others.