Abstract: A two-piece part may include a first portion defining at least one through hole and a second portion may be cast such that the second portion extends through the through hole thereby mechanically interlocking the first portion and the second portion together.

Abstract: A vehicle body assembly includes a first body wholly or partly made of a first polymeric material. The first polymeric material includes a polycarbonate and has a 60-degree gloss that is equal to or greater than 80 gloss units. The first body defines an outermost surface of the vehicle body assembly. The first body may be an exterior trim component, such as a grille portion, and may have a black color. The vehicle body assembly further includes a second body coupled (e.g., chemically bonded) to the first body. The second body may be a support body configured to support the exterior trim component and is wholly or partly made of a second polymeric material. The second polymeric material is different from the first polymeric material, and the outermost surface of the first body faces away from the second body.

Abstract: A two-piece part may include a first portion defining at least one through hole and a second portion may be cast such that the second portion extends through the through hole thereby mechanically interlocking the first portion and the second portion together.

Abstract: A vehicle body assembly includes a first body wholly or partly made of a first polymeric material. The first polymeric material includes a polycarbonate and has a 60-degree gloss that is equal to or greater than 80 gloss units. The first body defines an outermost surface of the vehicle body assembly. The first body may be an exterior trim component, such as a grille portion, and may have a black color. The vehicle body assembly further includes a second body coupled (e.g., chemically bonded) to the first body. The second body may be a support body configured to support the exterior trim component and is wholly or partly made of a second polymeric material. The second polymeric material is different from the first polymeric material, and the outermost surface of the first body faces away from the second body.

Abstract: A two-piece part may include a first portion defining at least one through hole and a second portion may be cast such that the second portion extends through the through hole thereby mechanically interlocking the first portion and the second portion together.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a body with a front portion and a rear portion. The vehicle additionally includes a spoiler coupled to the rear portion. The spoiler includes a first portion, a second portion, and a cap. The first portion includes a first plastic material, the second portion includes a second plastic material, and the cap includes a third plastic material. The second plastic material is distinct from the first plastic material. The second portion is disposed between the first portion and the cap. The second portion has a through hole extending therethrough. The cap has a diameter exceeding that of the through hole. The first portion and the cap are welded together via the through hole to mechanically secure the second portion to the first portion.

Abstract: A component with a customized exterior surface and a method and tool for manufacturing the same are provided. The component may be formed via a plastic forming process with a forming tool, such that it has a surface texture formed on its exterior surface. The forming tool has at least one tool surface, which defines a mold cavity. The tool surface has a textured layer coupled thereto, such that the textured layer directly contacts a moldable material supplied to the mold cavity. The textured layer has a surface texture formed thereon resulting in the surface texture present on the textured layer being transferred to and formed on the exterior surface of the component during forming. The textured layer may be changeable or replaceable with respect to the at least one tool surface, such that a single tool may form components with different surface textures formed on the exterior surface thereof.

Abstract: A two-piece part may include a first portion defining at least one through hole and a second portion may be cast such that the second portion extends through the through hole thereby mechanically interlocking the first portion and the second portion together.

Abstract: An adhesive tape includes a base tape layer, an adhesive layer, and a release liner. The adhesive layer is applied to the base tape layer and includes a tacky surface. The release liner is arranged on the tacky surface, and is also configured for removal from the base tape layer to thereby uncover the tacky surface. The release liner is constructed from a film that is characterized by a microstructure having polymer chains with a multi-axial orientation such that the release liner has substantially equivalent strength in multiple non-parallel directions. A method of affixing a component to a panel via the adhesive tape is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle molding includes a first elongated component formed of a first material and a second elongated component formed of a second material. The first material has a first coefficient of linear thermal expansion and the second material has a second coefficient of linear thermal expansion. The second elongated component defines a plurality of holes. A difference between the first coefficient of linear thermal expansion and the second coefficient of linear thermal expansion is at least 20×10?6 cm/cm ° C. The first material substantially fills the plurality of holes so that the second elongated component is embedded in and interlocked with the first elongated component.

Abstract: A stabilizer guide for guiding a stabilizer, having a material characteristic of fraying, through an extrusion die without fraying and melting the stabilizer during the extrusion of a thermoplastic body molding of a motor vehicle. The stabilizer guide is made up of two halves that join to form a parting line and a slot by which to guide the stabilizer through the extrusion die. The slot extends along the entire length of the stabilizer guide and is located in a different plane than the parting line of the stabilizer guide. By having the slot in a different plane than the parting line, the stabilizer is prohibited from wandering into the parting line. This prevents the stabilizer from fraying and shredding and causing the slot to be obstructed by pieces of the stabilizer. Obstruction of the slot hampers the stabilizer from being guided through the stabilizer guide.

Abstract: A method of using a plastic extruder equipped with an extrusion die and a gloss controlling auxiliary die to produce an extrudate of polymeric material having controlled gloss appearance comprising the steps of first extruding an extrudate of polymeric material through the extrusion die and then passing the extrudate immediately after exiting from the extrusion die through a gloss controlling auxiliary die which is kept at a temperature either higher or lower than the temperature of the extrusion die.