Magna International Inc.

Maximillian Amtmann

Boris Shulkin

William Andrew Kokosza

The invention is directed to a system and method of applying a coating of lubricant material to the surface of a sheet metal blank in a controlled manner such that some areas of the blank have uniform thickness of lubricant while other areas have no lubricant at all or have a variable amount (progressively increasing or decreasing) of lubricant. This is achieved through the use of a mask template that comprises an overspray fence and at least one contact element. The lubricated coated sheet metal blank is utile for superplastic forming to produce specialized complex shaped parts. The invention advantageously lessens the possibility of skid or slip lines appearing in the finished product as well as lessens the likely build-up of lubricant in forming dies&#x2014;easing maintenance requirements.

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Brampton, Canada

Maximillian Amtmann