METHOD OF MOLDING COMPOSITE PLASTIC SHEET MATERIAL TO FORM A COMPRESSION MOLDED, DEEP-DRAWN ARTICLE

摘要

A method of molding composite plastic sheet material to form a compression molded, deep-drawn article is provided. The method includes placing a heated blank of moldable, composite plastic sheet material over a female die having an article-defining cavity defined by inner surfaces of the die so that the heated blank has a predetermined position and orientation over the cavity. Then an inner portion of the heated blank is forced into the cavity along a substantially vertical axis and against the inner surfaces of the die to obtain deep-drawn material. Outer peripheral portions of the heated blank adjacent the cavity are controllably held with corresponding predetermined holding forces based on the size and shape of the article to resist movement of the outer peripheral portions towards the cavity during the step of forcing wherein the deep-drawn material controllably stretches during the step of forcing without wrinkling, tearing or ripping.