Abstract: A method is provided for producing a polymeric vehicle component, particularly an outer component in the form of a bumper, spoiler, sill, mud guard or the like. A polymeric shell part is first produced. Then, via a first automated process step, at least one aperture in the shell part is produced, which then defines an inner face in the shell part. Further, in a separate, second automatic process step, a radial embossing (R) is produced at a peripheral edge formed by an outer shell part surface and the inner face, in that a die with a contour corresponding to the desired radius (r) of the radial embossing (R) is pressed along the inner face against the peripheral edge. The die travels at least once along the complete peripheral edge, thus travelling along a path corresponding to the contour of the edge, such that all the peripheral edge is provided with the desired radial embossing.

Abstract: A ceiling tile of gypsum and cellulose fibers formed into a board by initially mixing the fibers and gypsum in a water-based slurry that is felted and thereafter pressed and dried with a desired board thickness, the dried board being processed to form a plurality of holes in a face thereof through at least the majority of the thickness of the board, the collective volume of the holes being sufficient to reduce the weight of the board by at least 10% and increase the NRC exhibited by the board over that which would otherwise be found in a board of the same composition without such holes.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in the manufacture of plasterboard (100) having at least a first side faced with a facing liner (2), a cementitious core (1) and an opposite side faced with a backing liner (4), includes a support surface (3) with a required surface finish to support the facing liner (2) and the first side of the plasterboard, pressurized fluid supply means to supply a fluid at above atmospheric pressure and at least one fluid directing means (5) to direct the pressurized fluid from the pressurized fluid supply means onto the opposite side of the plasterboard after the cementitious core (1) has partially set but before it has set to a knife set point. The pressurized fluid exerts a substantially uniform pressure on the backing liner (4) and the opposite side of the plasterboard, thereby smoothing the facing liner (2) and the first side of said plasterboard by urging them toward the support surface (3).

Abstract: A method for reducing the consistency of a water and gypsum stucco slurry comprising admixing water, stucco, and an additive, the additive in an amount effective to reduce the consistency of the admixed slurry as compared to a slurry containing only water and stucco, and the additive selected from the group consisting of one or more polyalkylene polyamines having a molecular weight below 1,000.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing acoustic panels comprising the steps of pouring a solidifiable liquid into a container, placing a porous layer of material onto the solidifiable liquid, solidifying the solidifiable liquid into a rigid layer, and removing the rigid layer and the porous layer from the container. The container has at least one form member extending from the bottom of the container upwardly. This form member extends upwardly into the porous layer. The solidifiable liquid is a slurry of cement. The container and the form member are magnetically attractive. The form member has a generally tapered cylindrical shape and rounded edges. The porous layer is a fibrous material.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of fiber-reinforced flat bodies containing a hardenable binder is described, wherein a core layer containing the prepared, unhardened (liquid) binder is placed between a cover layer and a backing layer; in order to provide this three layer body with its own internal cohesion even in the unhardened condition and to improve the mechanical properties of the body in the hardened state, the three layers, at least one of the outer ones of which consists of fibers capable of active fiber bonding, are needle bonded together prior to the hardening of the binder, so that the layers will hold together in the deformable state, whereupon the binder is hardened, while the fibers provide the body with an elasticity different from that of the hardened core layer. Prior to hardening, the composite body may be provided with orifices or slits, without the loss of the mass of the core layer from the body.