Ralph G. Doerfling - Northville MI Donald H. Warner - Southfield MI
Assignee:
Detroit Gasket - Detroit MI
International Classification:
B29D 300 B29D 3100 B29G 500
US Classification:
156245
Abstract:
A method of forming a contoured fiberglass-resin sheet or panel having a smooth finish surface, including large self-supporting contoured panels, such as used for automotive headliners and interior automotive panels. The method includes first forming an uncured resin impregnated fiberglass sheet in a contoured die under sufficient pressure to substantially fully compress the fiberglass sheet and simultaneously curing the smooth finish contoured surface only of the sheet. The sheet is then reformed and cured in the final contoured configuration, which may include areas of different density, as required by the application of the panel. A second uncured resin-fiberglass sheet may be applied over the first partially cured sheet, prior to reforming, to better control the density, and form a permanently laminated contoured panel.