there is now provided a method for producing a product comprising plastic foam in an automatic molding machine . the method comprises providing a woven fabric on at least one surface of the mold cavity , with the woven fabric comprising a fabric having a fine - mesh woven fabric ply that faces the interior of the mold cavity upon assembly and a coarse - mesh woven fabric ply that is disposed adjacent at least one surface of the mold cavity and beneath the fine - mesh woven ply upon assembly to support the fine - mesh woven ply . the method further provides for introducing beads comprising plastic foam into the mold cavity ; contacting the beads with a gaseous heat transfer medium , such as superheated steam ; introducing the gaseous heat transfer medium into the mold cavity ; flowing the gaseous heat transfer medium along a first surface of the mold cavity ; and removing gaseous heat transfer medium along a second surface of the mold cavity ; and removing the finished product from the mold .