Energy-dissipating cover and methods for making the cover

An apparatus for forming embossments in a sheet of metal, the sheet having a top surface with an ablative coating thereon and a bottom surface opposite the top surface, comprising:

• a die having a first surface and a plurality of embossment cavities formed on the first surface, wherein the first surface is configured to support the bottom surface of the sheet;
• a laser disposed above the first surface and configured for directing a laser beam at one or more locations of a selection of the plurality of embossment cavities;
• and
• at least one of a stream of coolant and an infrared-transparent plate configured to be disposed in covering contact with the ablative coating when the bottom surface of the sheet is supported on the first surface.

An apparatus for forming embossments in a sheet of metal, the sheet having a top surface with an ablative coating thereon and a bottom surface opposite the top surface, comprising:

• a die having a first surface and a plurality of embossment cavities formed on the first surface, wherein the first surface is configured to support the bottom surface of the sheet;
• a laser disposed above the first surface and configured for directing a laser beam at one or more locations of a selection of the plurality of embossment cavities;
• and
• at least one of a stream of coolant and an infrared-transparent plate configured to be disposed in covering contact with the ablative coating when the bottom surface of the sheet is supported on the first surface;
• wherein the at least one of the stream of coolant and the infrared-transparent plate is/are disposed between the laser and the first surface of the die;
• and
• wherein the laser is configured such that the laser beam may be directed through the at least one of the stream of coolant and the infrared-transparent plate.