Method for selectively producing a first or a second variant of a multi-layer plastic component

A method for selectively producing a first or a second variant of a multi-layer plastic component, wherein:

• both the first and second variants have a substrate part, a decorative layer, and a foam layer disposed between the substrate part and the decorative layer;
• and comprising the acts of:
• producing the foam layer in a foaming mold having a first mold half and introducing the substrate part into the first mold half before a start of a foaming process;
• wherein:
• to produce the first variant the decorative layer is introduced into a second mold half of the foaming mold prior to the foaming process;
• and
• to produce the second variant a spacer layer is introduced into the second mold half of the foaming mold prior to the foaming process, wherein the spacer layer is removed from the foam layer after the foaming process and the decorative layer of the second variant is applied to the foam layer;
• wherein the foam layer includes a first portion that has a higher contour stability than a second portion of the foam layer;
• wherein the first portion that has the higher contour stability is disposed at edges of the foam layer and the second portion is disposed in a central region of the foam layer, wherein the edges of the foam layer with the first portion that has the higher contour stability form respective contours on a visible surface of the decorative layer, and wherein the respective contours are reproduced from contours created in a computer aided design (CAD) system.