Method and system for producing an interior trim component
A system and method for producing interior trim components is described. The system includes producing a substrate material from either metal or reinforced polymer materials. The substrate is then coated with adhesive. The adhesive coated substrate is then covered with a thick film containing artwork or a piece of natural wood veneer, which is applied using a mechanism that utilizes membrane to apply hydrostatic pressure to the thick film or the piece of natural wood veneer over the substrate in the presence of heat.
1 . A method for producing interior trim comprising:
providing an interior trim substrate;
coating the substrate with an adhesive layer;
covering the substrate with a wood veneer having a thickness from about 0.2 to 1.2 mm; and
applying hydrostatic pressure to the film in the presence of heat.
2 . The method according to claim 1 wherein covering the substrate with a film is covering the substrate with a wood veneer having a moisture content from about 10 and 15% water.
3 . The method according to claim 1 wherein coating the substrate with an adhesive layer is coating the substrate with one of polyurethane or two component epoxy.
4 . The method according to claim 1 further comprising softening the wood veneer.
5 . The method according to claim 1 further comprising applying a fabric backing to the wood veneer.
6 . The method according to claim 4 further comprising heating the wood veneer to couple the fabric backing.
7 . The method according to claim 1 wherein covering the substrate with a wood veneer is covering the substrate with a wood veneer having a moisture content of between 8 and 25% water.
8 . The method according to claim 1 wherein the substrate is a polymer material selected from the group consisting of reinforced thermoplastic material, fiber glass reinforced nylon, fiber glass polyethylene, ABS, thermoplastic olefin, and TPE.
9 . The method according to claim 8 wherein the substrate has an upper surface configured to be mated to the natural wood veneer.
10 . The method according to claim 8 wherein the substrate further has a lower surface having coupling portions, which are configured to mate the insert to the completed trim component.
11 . A method for producing interior trim comprising:
providing an interior trim substrate;
coating the substrate with an adhesive layer;
applying a fabric backing to a wood veneer having a moisture content of between 8 and 25% water;
covering the substrate with the wood veneer having a thickness from about 0.2 to 1.2 mm; and
applying hydrostatic pressure to the film in the presence of heat.
12 . The method according to claim 11 wherein covering the substrate with a film is covering the substrate with a wood veneer having a moisture content from about 10 and 15% water.
13 . The method according to claim 11 wherein coating the substrate with an adhesive layer is coating the substrate with one of polyurethane or epoxy.
14 . The method according to claim 11 further comprising softening the wood veneer.
15 . A method for producing interior trim comprising:
providing an interior trim substrate which is formed of a polymer substrate is a polymer material selected from the group consisting of reinforced thermoplastic material, fiber glass reinforced nylon, fiber glass polyethylene, ABS, thermoplastic olefin, and TPE;
coating the substrate with an adhesive layer;
applying a fabric backing to a wood veneer having a moisture content of between 8 and 25% water;
covering the substrate with the wood veneer having a thickness from about 0.2 to 1.2 mm; and
applying hydrostatic pressure to the film in the presence of heat.
16 . The method according to claim 15 further comprising curing the adhesive to an about 80% cured state prior to coupling of the wood veneer to the substrate.
17 . The method according to claim 15 wherein coating the substrate with an adhesive layer is coating the substrate with one of polyurethane or two component epoxy.
18 . The method according to claim 15 further comprising the step of applying a layer of protective coating over the wood laminate.
19 . The method according to claim 15 further comprising the step of bleaching the wood laminate.
20 . The method according to claim 15 further comprising the step of softening the wood laminate.