Patent ID: 7033454

Claim:
A method of producing a composite blank for use in making a motor vehicle body, comprising: producing at least one first blank having a predetermined thickness, comprising: unrolling a coil of thin metal; forming a plurality of first blanks such that adjacent first blanks are oriented in opposite directions relative to a direction of the unrolling; separating the adjacent first blanks into two columns, in each of which columns the first blanks have the same orientation; and applying adhesive to at least one area of the first blanks in each column and moving the two columns of the first blanks to an assembly location; producing at least one second blank having a predetermined thickness and being shaped to provide the composite blank with a combined thickness of the first and second blanks in at least one required area of the composite blank; supplying at least one wire mesh member having a shape and size similar to the at least one second blank; and joining the at least one first and second blanks with the at least one wire mesh member interposed therebetween by adhesive bonding.