Abstract: Co-molding of non-crimped fabric and sheet molding composition. The pre-preg of non-crimped fabric is dried to achieve suitable stiffness for molding. The pre-preg allows the pre-formed non-crimped fabric feature to retain its shape during molding. A plurality of thorns is provided in the molding tooling to further prevent movement of pre-preg during molding. The method of co-molding includes, drying of the pre-preg to achieve suitable stiffness for molding, pre-forming of the pre-preg, and incorporating a plurality of stand-off features or thorns in the molding tool to prevent movement of pre-preg during co-molding so that predetermined full coverage of non-crimped fabric is maintained in predetermined area(s) of the molded part and the continuous fibers of the non-crimped fabric are not distorted.

Abstract: Co-molding of non-crimped fabric and sheet molding composition. The pre-preg of non-crimped fabric is dried to achieve suitable stiffness for molding. The pre-preg allows the pre-formed non-crimped fabric feature to retain its shape during molding. A plurality of thorns is provided in the molding tooling to further prevent movement of pre-preg during molding. The method of co-molding includes, drying of the pre-preg to achieve suitable stiffness for molding, pre-forming of the pre-preg, and incorporating a plurality of stand-off features or thorns in the molding tool to prevent movement of pre-preg during co-molding so that predetermined full coverage of non-crimped fabric is maintained in predetermined area(s) of the molded part and the continuous fibers of the non-crimped fabric are not distorted.

Abstract: A novel method and set of structures for performing resistive implant welding of two plastic components to form an assembly. A first one of the components to be welded includes a channel structure which receives the resistive implant and maintains it in a desired position until the welding operation is performed. The second component to be welded includes a complementary structure including a land which is sized to engage the channel structure and captive resistive implant on the first component. The two components are pre-weld positioned with the land in the channel structure and the positioned components are then placed in a press which exerts a pre-selected pressure on the interface between the channel and the land. Next, a pre-selected electric current is passed through the resistive implant to heat it and to bring the plastic material of the channel structure and the land to their molten points, where they intermingle through the resistive implant.

Abstract: A bracket assembly including a plurality of components attached along a hem line, a plurality of attachment points along the hem line, a first bracket, and a second bracket. The first bracket connects to the plurality of components at at least one of the plurality of attachment points, and supports a longitudinal load applied to at least one of the plurality of components. The second bracket connects to the plurality of components, and supports a lateral load applied to at least one of the plurality of components.

Abstract: A bracket assembly including a plurality of components attached along a hem line, a plurality of attachment points along the hem line, a first bracket, and a second bracket. The first bracket connects to the plurality of components at least one of the plurality of attachment points, and supports a longitudinal load applied to at least one of the plurality of components. The second bracket connects to the plurality of components, and supports a lateral load applied to at least one of the plurality of components.