Blanks for superplastic forming

摘要

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—easing maintenance requirements.

主权项

1. A system for applying a coating of a lubricant material to a surface of a sheet metal blank, the system comprising:
a mount for supporting the sheet metal blank such that the surface of the sheet metal blank is oriented for receiving the coating of the lubricant material; a mask template for protecting a predetermined region of the surface of the sheet metal blank from receiving the coating of the lubricant material, the mask template dimensioned larger than the predetermined region and having a surface that faces toward the surface of the sheet metal blank during the application of the coating of the lubricant material, the mask template comprising:
an overspray fence extending to a first distance away from the surface of the mask template, the overspray fence enclosing an area that is the same shape and size as the predetermined region, and the overspray fence being set back from the edge of the mask template such that a portion of the mask template overhangs the overspray fence; andat least one contact element extending to a second distance that is greater than the first distance away from the surface of the mask template, the at least one contact element for engaging the surface of the sheet metal blank and for releasably securing the mask template to the surface of the sheet metal blank during the application of the coating of the lubricant material; and a sprayer assembly for spraying the lubricant material toward the surface of the sheet metal blank, wherein the overspray fence is spaced-away from the surface of the sheet metal blank when the at least one contact element releasably secures the mask template to the surface of the sheet metal blank.