Hot die cleaning system for quick plastic forming cell

A method of super plastic and quick plastic forming sheet metal parts which are substantially free of show surface imperfection comprising the steps of:

• heating at least one metal forming die to a predetermined temperature range;
• inserting a blank of lubricated metal stock onto a forming surface of the die;
• forcing the blank onto the forming die to form a panel;
• removing the formed panel from the forming die;
• removing metallic buildup from the forming surface of the die using a cleaning apparatus comprising a programmable positioner carrying a brush assembly including a rotary drive motor rotatably carrying a cylindrical brush, the brush having a plurality of radially extending metallic wire bristles spaced axially from the rotary drive motor and adapted for removing metallic buildup from the forming surface of the forming die;
• and
• moving the cylindrical brush with the programmable positioner along a predetermined cleaning path with the brush in engagement with the forming surface of the die to remove metallic buildup therefrom;
• wherein the metallic buildup is deposited generally in a predetermined direction on the forming die and the brush is rotated generally perpendicular to the direction of metallic buildup.