A composite stencil for applying designs to walls and other surfaces is disclosed. The stencil includes a porous textile support layer to which a flexible stencil mask is bonded by an adhesion layer. The support layer supports unconnected parts of the stencil mask without bridges common with traditional stencils. Further, the textile support layer in the open areas of the stencil can be colored with a sublimation dye to suggest to a user the colors that should be applied in the various areas of the stencil. A pressure sensitive adhesive is applied to the back of the stencil. In use, the stencil is removably adhered to a surface by the pressure sensitive adhesive, whereupon paint or other pigment is applied through the textile support layer to the surface. The lack of bridges permits the entire design to be applied with a single stencil in a single session. The stencil is cleanable and reusable to apply additional designs.

A composite stencil for applying designs to walls and other surfaces is disclosed. The stencil includes a porous textile support layer to which a flexible stencil mask is bonded by an adhesion layer. The support layer supports unconnected parts of the stencil mask without bridges common with traditional stencils. Further, the textile support layer in the open areas of the stencil can be colored with a sublimation dye to suggest to a user the colors that should be applied in the various areas of the stencil. A pressure sensitive adhesive is applied to the back of the stencil. In use, the stencil is removably adhered to a surface by the pressure sensitive adhesive, whereupon paint or other pigment is applied through the textile support layer to the surface. The lack of bridges permits the entire design to be applied with a single stencil in a single session. The stencil is cleanable and reusable to apply additional designs.

A method and system for creating readily identifiable discrete markings on an application surface of an object. The system comprises a stencil having a cutout openings forming a discrete identifier, and a marking reagent comprising an organic solvent, isopropyl alcohol, and a metal marking component. After applying the stencil to an application surface, the marking reagent is applied to the application surface via the cutout openings. The marking reagent may then etch the discrete identifier as well portions on an interior portion of the application surface. In some applications, the system may be applied to a surface having dirt and grease. In addition, marking reagent may embed a cured portion of the marking reagent within the well portions.

A method and system for creating readily identifiable discrete markings on an application surface of an object. The system comprises a stencil having a cutout openings forming a discrete identifier, and a marking reagent comprising an organic solvent, isopropyl alcohol, and a metal marking component. After applying the stencil to an application surface, the marking reagent is applied to the application surface via the cutout openings. The marking reagent may then etch the discrete identifier as well portions on an interior portion of the application surface. In some applications, the system may be applied to a surface having dirt and grease. In addition, marking reagent may embed a cured portion of the marking reagent within the well portions.

A stencil for use in stenciling complex symbols incorporates a stencil substrate employing a flexible material, having a plurality of symbols arranged thereon. A plurality of folding stiffeners are incorporated in the substrate, each stiffener being positioned to split symbols having stencil cutouts forming isolated elements within an interior of the symbol. The stiffeners are foldable about a vertex, to collapse into a raised position and bring together the split symbol, with the stiffeners supporting the isolated elements created by the cutouts and portions of the stencil cutouts forming the symbols that extend into coincident channels in the folding stiffeners, to bridge adjoining portions of said split characters.

A template (100) for controlling application of material (620) around a protuberance (610) is disclosed. The protuberance (610) extends from a workpiece (600) and has a base (612). The template (100) comprises a first portion (110) and a second portion (130), removably attached to the first portion (110) at a boundary (120). The first portion (110) comprises a first-portion inner peripheral edge (111) that at least partially defines a positioning opening (115) and that is geometrically complementary to at least a portion of the base (612) of the protuberance (610). The first portion (110) also comprises a first-portion workpiece-facing surface (114) that is adhesive-free. The second portion (130) comprises a visual material-placement indicator (170), located on a second-portion environment-facing surface (136). The second portion (130) also comprises an adhesive layer (160), located on at least a portion of a second-portion workpiece-facing surface (134).

A template (100) for controlling application of material (620) around a protuberance (610) is disclosed. The protuberance (610) extends from a workpiece (600) and has a base (612). The template (100) comprises a first portion (110) and a second portion (130), removably attached to the first portion (110) at a boundary (120). The first portion (110) comprises a first-portion inner peripheral edge (111) that at least partially defines a positioning opening (115) and that is geometrically complementary to at least a portion of the base (612) of the protuberance (610). The first portion (110) also comprises a first-portion workpiece-facing surface (114) that is adhesive-free. The second portion (130) comprises a visual material-placement indicator (170), located on a second-portion environment-facing surface (136). The second portion (130) also comprises an adhesive layer (160), located on at least a portion of a second-portion workpiece-facing surface (134).

This disclosure discloses a method comprising: positioning a stencil having an opening onto an aerospace part such that the aerospace part is accessible through the opening; positioning a masking medium onto the aerospace part through the opening; removing the stencil from the aerospace part such that the masking medium remains on the aerospace part and treating the aerospace part with the masking medium thereon.

This disclosure discloses a method comprising: positioning a stencil having an opening onto an aerospace part such that the aerospace part is accessible through the opening; positioning a masking medium onto the aerospace part through the opening; removing the stencil from the aerospace part such that the masking medium remains on the aerospace part and treating the aerospace part with the masking medium thereon.

Shadow masks comprising a multi-layer membrane having a mechanical pre-bias that compensates the effect of gravity on the membrane are disclosed. A shadow mask in accordance with the present disclosure includes a membrane that is patterned with a desired pattern of apertures. The layers of the membrane are selected such that their residual stresses collectively give rise to a stress gradient that is directed normal to the plane of the membrane such that the stress gradient mitigates gravity-induced sag. In some embodiments, the membrane includes a layer pair having internal stresses that are of opposite signs to effect a tendency to bulge outward from the plane of the membrane prior to its release from the substrate. An exemplary membrane includes a layer pair comprising a layer of stoichiometric silicon dioxide that is under residual compressive stress and a layer of stoichiometric silicon nitride that is under residual tensile stress.