Patent ID: 6930277

Claim:
A method of forming a mold having cavities for molding loop-engageable, hook-shaped fastener elements, the method comprising: (a) supporting a first plate having an outer surface that defines a plane, (b) manipulating a relative position of a material-cutting beam of a laser with respect to said first plate along a predetermined curved profile to cut a cavity into said outer surface of said first plate, said predetermined curved profile being generally hook-shaped, the cavity defined by a wall extending into said first plate from said outer surface; (c) in a series of subsequent actions, repeatedly indexing the first plate relative to the laser to direct the material-cutting beam at further positions on the first plate and repeating the step of manipulating the material-cutting beam of the laser relative to the first plate to form a series of cavities, each having a hook-shaped profile; and (d) positioning a second plate adjacent said outer surface of said first plate, said second plate providing a side wall surface for each of said cavities of said first plate, said first plate and said second plate in combination forming a mold having cavities for molding loop-engageable, hook-shaped fastener elements.