a method and apparatus for controlling an assembly for bonding a cover over the undulating surface of a foam cushion by controlling a ram actuator cylinder to lift a ram to permit placing the foam cushion on a tool , lowering the ram to pierce the cushion with a plurality of needles , lifting the ram to lift the cushion which is frictionally retained on the needles , controlling a heater to heat ambient air and ejecting the hot air from the needles into the cushion to elevate the temperature of the cushion . a pair of plate actuator cylinders are controlled to dispose a compression plate with holes extending therethrough against the backside of the cushion with the needles extending through the holes . the ram is lowered to place the undulating surface of the cushion against an adhesive material on the backside of the cover so that heat is transferred from the cushion to melt the adhesive . the ram is raised to extract the needles from the cushion as the compression plate is maintained in place to hold the cushion against the cover and the tool and an air cooler is controlled to eject cool air from passages in the compression plate and into the cushion to cure the adhesive and bond the cover to the cushion .