Systems for removing lubricants from superplastic-forming or hot-forming dies

A cleaning system for removing a lubricant from a working surface of a forming die having an oxide layer without removing the oxide layer, the cleaning system comprising:

• an electromagnetic energy output device configured to deliver a beam of electromagnetic energy to the working surface, said electromagnetic energy output device comprising a laser;
• an analyzing device configured to gather scan data on the lubricant as the beam of the electromagnetic energy is delivered to the working surface;
• a controller operatively coupled with the electromagnetic energy output device and the analyzing device, wherein said controller is configured to adjust at least one operating parameter of said electromagnetic energy output device concurrently with delivery of the beam based on the scan data gathered by said analyzing device, said at least one operating parameter includes at least one of a wavelength of the electromagnetic energy, a power level of the electromagnetic energy, a speed at which the beam of the electromagnetic energy traverses the working surface, a speed at which the forming die is moved relative to the beam of the electromagnetic energy, and a number of times the beam of the electromagnetic energy traverses the working surface along at least a portion of a previously traversed path;
• a capture device for collecting, via vacuum, an effluent generated during operation of the electromagnetic energy output device;
• and
• a die holder for holding or moving the forming die.