An automated slag removal apparatus

Abstract

Automated apparatus for removing slag from the slats of a bed for supporting a workpiece during laser or plasma cutting, the apparatus comprising an elongate bed 11 onto which at least one slat 12 wit

Description

Technical Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to the field of metal finishing and more particularly to an automated slag removal apparatus to remove slag from a metal workpiece or metal supports, particularly those used in a CNC laser and Plasma cutting machines. Background to the Invention As part of a CNC or laser cutting process, the slats within the bed which support the material being cut, gather a build-up of slag as the metal is cut. Over time the buildup of slag means that the slats lose effectiveness, and the slag must be removed from the slats or new slats used. Removing the slag from the slats is more cost effective than purchasing new slats. The current method for cleaning the slats is for an operator to use a handheld slat cleaner (a powered hand tool) to remove the slag from each of the slats by moving the slat cleaner manually over the length of the slat. This manual method often results in Health and Safety issues, for example, Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVC). Due to this particular issue, the manual method only allows 20 minutes per day of use. The time taken to remove the slats from the machine, remove the slag and then reinstall the cleaned slats also results in a substantial period of lost time for operating the machine. It would therefore be an advance in the art to provide an automated slag removal apparatus which solves any one or more of the abovementioned problems. Summary of the Invention According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided an automated slag removal apparatus comprising: An elongate bed relative to which at least one workpiece with slag thereon, is removably mountable; At least one clamping assembly associated with the elongate bed to releasably clamp the at least one workpiece relative thereto; and A slag removal head mounted relative to the elongate bed for translation relative to the at least one workpiece, the slag removal head comprising at least a pair of rotating wheels, each having a plurality of slag removal fingers extending therefrom, the pair of wheels mounted on either lateral side of the at least one workpiece when clamped in the at least one clamping assembly, the wheels mounted for rotation about an axis at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the at least one workpiece; wherein the slag removal head is movable relative to the at least one workpiece and the slag removal fingers of each wheel impact the slag on the at least one workpiece during rotation to remove the slag. Providing an automated slag removal apparatus with an elongate bed for mounting at least one workpiece relative thereto and a slag removal head mounted relative to the elongate bed for translation along the at least one workpiece (or the workpiece relative to the slag removal head), removes the need for a human operator to utilise a hand tool to remove the slag, as well as ensuring optimal movement of the slag removal head relative to the at least one workpiece for slag removal. The apparatus of the invention improves processing efficiency, can reduce carbon emissions by 30% by doubling the useable life of the slats, and reduces waste by 40-50% as the life of the slats may been doubled. In use, once the at least one workpiece has been clamped in place relative to the elongate bed, the slag removing head will preferably translate, or be translated, along the length of the at least one workpiece with the pair of rotating wheels rotating so that the slag removal arrangements remove the slag from the at least one workpiece. The slag removal head may move along the elongate bed, or the elongate bed may translate relative to a fixed slag removal head. The automated slag removal apparatus of the invention may be used in relation to a single workpiece or multiple workpieces at the same time. If the apparatus is used in relation to more than one workpiece, then more than one pair of rotating wheels may be used. In particular, the number of wheels which may be used may be n+1 where n is the number of workpieces. In such a configuration, opposed end wheels may be provided with slag removal arrangements extending from one side only, facing one another and one or more central wheels may be provided with slag removal arrangements extending from both sides, with the number of central wheels provided dependent on the number of workpieces. Alternatively, a pair of rotating wheels may be provided for each workpiece, but this configuration will require more space than providing n+1 wheels. In one form, the automated slag removal apparatus will preferably operate to remove / from the at least one workpiece through repeated impacts of one or more slag removal fingers as the rotating wheels rotate. In use, the at least one workpiece will preferably be held upright, or substantially vertically relative to the pair of rotating wheels while the slag removal takes place. The automated slag removal apparatus includes an elongate bed relative to which at least one workpiece with slag thereon is removably mountable. The elongate bed will preferably be at least as long as the at least one workpiece. The elongate bed will preferably mount the at least one workpiece relative thereto. The elongate bed may include at least one gutter or depression provided to receive a lower edge of the at least one workpiece. The at least one clamping assembly preferably clamps the at least one workpiece in position and orientation relative to the elongate bed. The elongate bed may include one or more guide portions to guide movement of the slag removal head relative to the elongate bed, and / or to guide movement of the elongate bed relative to the slag removal head. The elongate bed may mount a slag removal head drive to drive movement of the slag removal head relative to the elongate bed. In this configuration, the slag removal head drive may be mounted relative to one end of the elongate bed. The slag removal head drive may be a reversible drive to drive the slag removal head in a first direction and an opposite second direction. A toothed wheel and drive chain may be provided relative to the slag removal head drive in order to drive movement of the slag removal head relative to the elongate bed or vice versa. In one form, a pair of toothed wheels may be provided at each end of the elongate bed, on opposite sides of the elongate bed, for a total of four toothed wheels. The slag removal head may be provided relative to a pair of toothed wheels provided on opposite sides of the elongate bed. A chain may be provided between the toothed wheels or provided on the same side of the elongate bed, but opposite ends of the elongate bed. The slag removal head may be attached to or driven by the movement of the chain(s). In one form, a pair of chains may be provided, one on either lateral side of the elongate bed to ensure that the slag removal head remains square on the elongate bed and the at least one workpiece as the slag removal head moves along the length of the at least one workpiece or vice versa. As explained above, the slag removal head may be fixed in position and a similar arrangement of at least one toothed wheel and chain drive could be used to move the elongate bed and the at least one workpiece mounted relative thereto, through the slag removal head. At least one controller is preferably provided, in whichever of the two embodiments is used, to control the limits of the movement of the slag removal head relative to the elongate bed or vice versa. The automated slag removal apparatus includes at least one clamping assembly associated with the elongate bed to releasably clamp the at least one workpiece relative thereto. The at least one clamping assembly may be provided as a part of the elongate bed. More than one clamping assembly may be provided, preferably spaced apart over the length of the elongate bed. In a preferred embodiment, at least two clamping assemblies may be provided, one clamping assembly toward each end of the elongate bed. Each clamping assembly may be provided with a pair of opposed clamping jaws. At least one of the pair of opposed clamping jaws may preferably be movable to open and close the clamping assembly. Preferably, the at least one movable clamping jaw may reciprocate between an open and a closed position. Movement of the clamping assembly between the open and closed position may preferably be controlled by at least one controller. Preferably a single controller is provided to operate the slag removal head and the at least one clamping assembly so that the components are coordinated with one another to effect slag removal from a workpiece. The at least one clamping assembly may preferably be provided relative to the gutter or depression in the elongate bed within which a lower edge of the at least one workpiece is secured. The at least one clamping assembly may be provided such that the at least one clamping assembly does not obstruct the movement of the slag removal head and / or the rotating wheels. Preferably, the at least one clamping assembly may grip a lower part of the at least one workpiece, allowing the slag removal head to move relative to an upper edge of the at least one workpiece to remove slag therefrom. The clamping action may be manual clamping or automatic clamping. If automatic clamping, the automatic clamping may be controlled by a controller to control the apparatus, including the movement of the slag removal head. As mentioned above, a totally automated process may be provided. This may be achieved by laying down a number of workpieces in a designated area adjacent to the apparatus and providing a workpiece feed mechanism to automatically load at least one workpiece into position in the apparatus without any manual intervention. Once a workpiece has been loaded, slag removal may occur. Once slag removal is complete, the at least one workpiece may be ejected from the apparatus to allow loading of other at least one workpiece(s) to undergo slag removal. The loading of a subsequent workpiece may force the ejection of a workpiece which has been treated (had the slag removed). The automated slag removal apparatus may include a slag removal head. As mentioned above, the slag removal head may be fixed in position relative to a movable elongate bed, or the slag removal head may be movable relative to the elongate bed and / or workpiece (which may be fixed in position). In one form, the slag removal head may be driven to move relative to a fixed position elongate bed, and this configuration may be preferred. In this configuration, a slag removal head drive may be provided to move the slag removal head. This may be provided relative to the elongate bed, and not on the slag removal head. A drive may be provided to rotate the at least a pair of rotating wheels. The drive may be provided on the slag removal head. A drive mechanism may be provided to link the drive output from the drive to a shaft mounting the at least a pair of rotating wheels. The at least pair of rotating wheels may be mounted relative to a central shaft which is driven by the drive. Preferably, all of the rotating wheels, however many are provided, are provided relative to the central shaft, to rotate together. The rotating wheels are preferably mounted substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the at least one workpiece. In one form, the drive mechanism may include at least one toothed wheel and chain. In a preferred form, a pair of toothed wheels may be provided on opposite ends of the central shaft and associated with a chain in order to drive rotation of the central shaft, and the rotating wheels mounted thereon. A pair of toothed wheels may be provided on opposite ends of the central shaft and a pair of toothed wheels may be provided on opposite ends of the driveshaft from the drive. A chain may be provided between a wheel on the driveshaft and a respective wheel on the central shaft on the same side of the slag removal head, to drive rotation of the central shaft. If a toothed wheel is provided on both ends of the driven shaft, then a pair of drive chains may be provided. This will assist to balance the central shaft. The toothed wheels provided as a part of any drive mechanism may be sized to provide optimal speed of rotation and / or torque during rotation. At least a pair of rotating wheels may be provided. As mentioned above, more than one pair of rotating wheels may be provided. In some embodiments, more than a pair of rotating wheels may be provided, in other words, two or more rotating wheels may be provided. The rotating wheels may be provided in pairs or otherwise. The number of rotating wheels, whether provided in pairs or otherwise, will preferably depend upon the number of workpieces to be processed. Each of the rotating wheels will preferably be circular. Each of the rotating wheels will preferably include a plurality of slag removal fingers extending therefrom. The slag removal fingers will preferably extend from at least one circular face of each rotating wheel. The slag removal fingers will preferably all extend on the same side of the rotating wheel. In some embodiments, a rotating wheel may have slag removal fingers provided extending from both sides. For example, to clean two workpieces, a pair of outer rotating wheels may be provided, each with a plurality of slag removal fingers on an inner side thereof and a central rotating wheel may be provided with a plurality of slag removal fingers extending from either side of the central wheel. The slag removal fingers on one rotating wheel may be circumferentially offset from the slag removal fingers on the other of the pair of rotating wheels and / or a facing surface of an adjacent rotating wheel. Preferably, the slag removal fingers on facing surfaces of adjacent rotating wheels may alternate. Each of the slag removal fingers will preferably have a free end. The free ends of the respective slag removal fingers on facing wheels will preferably be separated by a gap or space within which a portion of the workpiece may be received as the rotating wheels rotate. The gap or space will preferably be approximately the thickness of the workpiece. The gap or space may be slightly larger than the thickness of the workpiece in order to provide clearance so that the rotating wheel itself may not impact the at least one workpiece. The slag removal fingers may be removably mounted relative to the rotating wheel. In one configuration, a boss may be provided for each slag removal finger with a central opening within which a portion of a slag removal finger is received. The boss may be manufactured from or include a resilient portion, for example rubber or similar, within which the slag removal finger is mounted. This may dampen vibration produced by the impact of the slag removal fingers with the at least one workpiece during slag removal. The resilient portion may also act to hold the slag removal finger in place. In use, a finger may preferably be inserted into an opening in the boss. This may require some deformation of the preferably resilient portion of the boss whereupon the shape memory of the resilient portion will then function to hold the slag removal finger in place relative to the boss. Each slag removal finger may be manufactured from a tough, preferably hard material. For example, each finger may be metal. The metal may be hardened metal and / or a hard facing material may be provided thereto. If a hard facing material is used, such a hard facing material may be or include tungsten carbide or chromium carbide or cobalt based and / or ceramic material. The slag removal fingers may extend substantially perpendicularly to the rotating wheel and / or to the workpiece, or at another angle. In use, rotation of the rotating wheels will preferably cause the slag removal fingers to repeatedly impact the slag and / or the at least one workpiece to break the slag from the at least one workpiece. As mentioned above, one or more guide portions may be provided on the slag removal head and / or elongate bed to guide movement of the slag removal head relative to the elongate bed. In one embodiment, an engagement guide portions may be provided for example a female portion receiving a corresponding male portion may be provided. In another embodiment, an abutment surface may be provided between a portion of the slag removal head and a portion of the elongate bed. Any guide portions provided may preferably be provided on both lateral sides of the slag removal head and / or elongate bed such that movement of the slag removal head relative to the elongate bed is controlled and maintained in a square orientation. The slag removal head may include a frame to mount the drive for rotating the rotating wheels as well as for mounting the central shaft about which the rotating wheels are provided. The slag removal apparatus of the invention may be provided within an outer housing or cage or similar for protection during operation as the slag may ricochet once broken or detached from the at least one workpiece. In an embodiment, the slag removal head mounting the rotating wheels may be movable from having the rotating wheels in a substantially vertical orientation for slag removal to a substantially horizontal orientation. The orientation of the at least a pair of rotating wheels may be movable from rotation in a substantially vertical orientation for slag removal to rotation in a substantially horizontal orientation. This will preferably allow the slag removal head as a general metal deburring apparatus also therefore having two functions in one machine. This movement may be undertaken through manual realignment of the slag removal head to position the rotating wheels in horizontal orientation. Alternatively, the movement may be achieved in an automated way, preferably controlled by the at least one controller. Detailed Description of the Invention In order that the invention may be more clearly understood one or more embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a side elevation view of an automated slag removal apparatus according to an embodiment. Figure 2 is an axonometric end view of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 1 showing the slag removal head translating along the at least one workpiece. Figure 3 is an axonometric closeup side view of the slag removal head of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 1. Figure 4 is a closeup end view of the slag removal head of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 1. Figure 5 is an axonometric view of a clamping assembly for the apparatus illustrated in Figure 1. An automated slag removal apparatus 10 is illustrated in the accompanying Figures. The illustrated apparatus 10 comprises an elongate bed 11 relative to which a workpiece 12 with slag thereon, is removably mountable. The illustrated apparatus 10 also comprises a pair of clamping assemblies 13 (best illustrated in Figure 2) associated with the elongate bed 11 to releasably clamp the workpiece 12 relative thereto. As illustrated, a slag removal head 14 is mounted relative to the elongate bed 11 for translation relative to the workpiece 12, the slag removal head 14 comprising a pair of rotating wheels 15, each having a plurality of slag removal fingers 16 extending therefrom, the pair of wheels 15 mounted on either lateral side of the workpiece 12 when clamped in the clamping assemblies 13. The wheels 15 are mounted for rotation about an axis at a perpendicular angle to a longitudinal axis of the workpiece 12. The slag removal head 14 is movable along the length of the workpiece 12 and the slag removal fingers 16 of each wheel 15 impact the slag on the workpiece 12 during rotation to remove the slag from the workpiece. In use, once the workpiece 12 has been clamped in place relative to the elongate bed 11, the slag removing head 14 will translate along the length of the workpiece 12 with the pair of rotating wheels 15 rotating so that the slag removal fingers 16 remove the slag from the workpiece 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the slag removal head 14 moves along the elongate bed 11 to remove slag from a single workpiece 12 through repeated impacts of slag removal fingers 16 as the rotating wheels 15 rotate. In use, the workpiece 12 preferably held upright, or substantially vertically relative to the pair of rotating wheels 15 while the slag removal takes place, as shown in Figure 2. The elongate bed 11 is preferably at least as long as the workpiece 12. The elongate bed 11 illustrated includes a central gutter 22 or depression provided to receive a lower edge of the workpiece 12. The clamping assemblies 13 are mounted in the gutter to clamp the workpiece 12 in position and orientation relative to the elongate bed 11 as shown in Figure 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the elongate bed 11 mounts a slag removal head drive 17 to drive movement of the slag removal head 14 relative to the elongate bed 11 and the workpiece 12. In this configuration, the slag removal head drive 17 is mounted relative to one end of the elongate bed 11. The slag removal head drive 17 may be a reversible drive to drive the slag removal head 14 in a first direction and then in an opposite second direction. In the illustrated form, a pair of toothed wheels 18 are provided at each end of the elongate bed 11, on opposite sides of the elongate bed 11, for a total of four toothed wheels, with a drive chain 19 linking the wheels 18 on the same side of the elongate bed 1 1 in order to drive movement of the slag removal head 14 relative to the elongate bed 11. The slag removal head 14 is attached to or driven by the movement of the chain(s) 19. A pair of chains 19 are provided, one on either lateral side of the elongate bed 11 to ensure that the slag removal head 14 remains square on the elongate bed Hand the workpiece 12 as the slag removal head 14 moves along the length of the workpiece 12. The toothed wheels 18 at each end of the elongate bed 11 rotate about a common shaft 20. Only the nearside set of wheels 18 and drive chain 19 is shown in Figures 1 and 2 but there is a matching set on the rear side of the apparatus 10. At least one controller is preferably provided to control the limits of the movement of the slag removal head 14 relative to the elongate bed 11 and workpiece 12. The clamping assemblies 13 of the illustrated embodiment are provided as a part of the elongate bed 11. The clamping assemblies 13 are spaced apart over the length of the elongate bed 11. In the illustrated embodiment, two clamping assemblies 13 are provided, one clamping assembly 13 toward each end of the elongate bed 11 as best shown in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 5, each clamping assembly 13 is provided with a pair of opposed clamping jaws 21. At least one of the pair of opposed clamping jaws 13 may preferably be movable to open and close the clamping assembly 13. Preferably, the at least one movable clamping jaw may reciprocate between an open and a closed position. Movement of the clamping assembly 13 between the open and closed position is preferably controlled by at least one controller. Preferably, a single controller is provided to operate the slag removal head 14 and the clamping assemblies 13 so that they are coordinated with one another to effect slag removal from a workpiece 12. As shown in Figure 2, the clamping assemblies 13 may be provided within the gutter 22 or depression in the elongate bed 11 within which a lower edge of the workpiece 12 is secured. Provision of the clamping assemblies in the gutter 22 or depression are such that the clamping assemblies 13 do not obstruct the movement of the slag removal head 14 and / or the rotating wheels 15. Preferably, the jaws 21 of the clamping assemblies 13 grip a lower part of the workpiece 12, allowing the slag removal head 14 to move relative to an upper edge of the workpiece 12 to remove slag therefrom. The clamping action may be manual clamping or automatic clamping. If automatic clamping, the automatic clamping may be controlled by a controller to control the apparatus, including the movement of the slag removal head 14. As mentioned above, a totally automated process may be provided. This may be achieved by laying down a number of workpieces 12 in a designated area adjacent to the apparatus 10 and providing a workpiece feed mechanism (not shown) to automatically load at least one workpiece 12 into position in the apparatus without any manual intervention. Once a workpiece 12 has been loaded, slag removal may occur. Once slag removal is complete, the at least one workpiece 12 may be ejected from the apparatus to allow loading of other at least one workpiece(s) 12 to undergo slag removal. The loading of a subsequent workpiece 12 may force the ejection of a workpiece 12 which has been treated (had the slag removed). In the illustrated configuration, the slag removal head 14 includes a frame to mount a drive 23 to rotate the rotating wheels 15 also mounted to the frame. A drive mechanism including a first shaft 24 linked to the drive output from the drive 23 to a second shaft 25 mounting the at least a pair of rotating wheels 15. The at rotating wheels 15 are mounted centrally on the second shaft 25 which is driven by the drive 23. Preferably, all of the rotating wheels 15, however many are provided, are provided relative to the second shaft 25, to rotate together. As shown, the second shaft 25 and the rotating wheels 15 are mounted substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the workpiece 12. In the illustrated form, the drive mechanism includes a pair of toothed wheels 26 and a drive chain 27 on either side of the slag removal head 14. A pair of toothed wheels 26 are provided on opposite ends of the second shaft 25 and a pair of toothed wheels 26 may be provided on opposite ends of the first shaft 24 with a drive chain 27 provided between a toothed wheel 26 on the first shaft 24 and a respective wheel 27 on the second shaft 25 on the same side of the slag removal head 14, to drive rotation of the second shaft 25 and the wheels 15 mounted thereon. The toothed wheels 27 provided as a part of any drive mechanism may be sized to provide optimal speed of rotation and / or torque during rotation. At least a pair of rotating wheels 15 may be provided. As mentioned above, more than one pair of rotating wheels 15 may be provided. In some embodiments, more than a pair of rotating wheels 15 may be provided, in other words, two or more rotating wheels may be provided. The rotating wheels 15 may be provided in pairs or otherwise. The number of rotating wheels 15, whether provided in pairs or otherwise, will preferably depend upon the number of workpieces 12 to be processed. Each of the rotating wheels 15 will preferably be circular as shown. Each of the rotating wheels 15 include a plurality of slag removal fingers 16 extending therefrom. The slag removal fingers 16 will preferably extend from a circular face of each rotating wheel 15. The slag removal fingers 16 will preferably all extend on the same side of the rotating wheel 15. In some embodiments (not illustrated), a rotating wheel 15 may have slag removal fingers 16 provided extending from both sides. For example, to clean two workpieces 12 at the same time, a pair of outer rotating wheels 15 may be provided, each with a plurality of slag removal fingers 16 on an inner side thereof and a central rotating wheel 15 may be provided with a plurality of slag removal fingers 16 extending from both sides of the central wheel 15. The slag removal fingers 16 on one rotating wheel 15 may be circumferentially offset from the slag removal fingers 16 on the other of the pair of rotating wheels 16 and / or a facing surface of an adjacent rotating wheel 15. Preferably, the slag removal fingers 16 on facing surfaces of adjacent rotating wheels 15 may alternate. Each of the slag removal fingers 16 will preferably have a free end. The free ends of the respective slag removal fingers 16 on facing rotating wheels 15 preferably be separated by a gap or space within which a portion of the workpiece 12 may be received as the rotating wheels 15 rotate. The gap or space will preferably be approximately the thickness of the workpiece 12. The gap or space may be slightly larger than the thickness of the workpiece 12 in order to provide clearance so that the rotating wheel 15 itself may not impact the workpiece 15. The slag removal fingers 16 may be removably mounted relative to the rotating wheel. In one configuration best illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, a boss 28 may be provided for each slag removal finger 16, the boss having a central opening within which a portion of a slag removal finger 16 is received. The boss 28 may be manufactured from or include a resilient portion, for example rubber or similar, within which the slag removal finger 16 is mounted. This may dampen vibration produced by the impact of the slag removal fingers 16 with the workpiece 12 during slag removal. The resilient portion may also act to hold the slag removal finger 16 in place. In use, a finger 16 may preferably be inserted into an opening in the boss 28. This may require some deformation of the preferably resilient portion of the boss 28 whereupon the shape memory of the resilient portion will then function to hold the slag removal finger 16 in place relative to the boss 28. Each slag removal finger 16 may be manufactured from a tough, preferably hard material. For example, each finger may be metal. The metal may be hardened metal and / or a hard facing material may be provided thereto. If a hard facing material is used, such a hard facing material may be or include tungsten carbide or chromium carbide or cobalt based and / or ceramic material. As shown, the slag removal fingers 16 may extend substantially perpendicularly to the rotating wheel 15 and / or to the workpiece 12, but if preferred, may extend at another angle to the rotating wheel 15 and / or to the workpiece 12. In use, rotation of the rotating wheels 15 will preferably cause the slag removal fingers 16 to repeatedly impact the slag and / or the workpiece 12 to break the slag from the workpiece 12. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the slag removal apparatus 10 may be provided within an outer housing or cage or similar for protection during operation as the slag may ricochet once broken or detached from the workpiece 12. The one or more embodiments are described above by way of example only. Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of protection afforded by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An automated slag removal apparatus comprising:a. An elongate bed relative to which at least one workpiece with slag thereon, is removably mountable;b. At least one clamping assembly associated with the elongate bed to releasably clamp the at least one workpiece relative thereto; andc. A slag removal head mounted relative to the elongate bed for translation relative to the at least one workpiece, the slag removal head comprising at least a pair of rotating wheels, each having a plurality of slag removal fingers extending therefrom, the pair of wheels mounted on either lateral side of the at least one workpiece when clamped in the at least one clamping assembly, the wheels mounted for rotation about an axis at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the at least one workpiece;wherein the slag removal head is movable relative to the at least one workpiece and the slag removal fingers of each wheel impact the slag on the at least one workpiece during rotation to remove the slag.

2. An automated slag removal apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the slag removing head translates, or is translated, along a length of the at least one workpiece with the pair of rotating wheels rotating so that the slag removal arrangements remove the slag from the at least one workpiece.

3. An automated slag removal apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein a number of rotating wheels is provided being n+1 where n is the number of workpieces.

4. An automated slag removal apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein opposed end rotating wheels are provided with slag removal fingers extending from one side only, facing one another and one or more central rotating wheels are provided with slag removal fingers extending from both sides, with the number of central rotating wheels provided dependent on the number of workpieces.

5. An automated slag removal apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the elongate bed includes at least one gutter or depression provided to receive a lower edge of the at least one workpiece.

6. An automated slag removal apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the at least one clamping assembly is provided within the gutter or depression and clamps a lower portion of the at least one workpiece in position and orientation relative to the elongate bed.

7. An automated slag removal apparatus as claimed in any one of the precedingclaims further comprising at least one controller to operate the slag removal head and the at least one clamping assembly so that operation is coordinated to effect slag removal from the at least one workpiece.

8. An automated slag removal apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising a slag removal head drive mounted relative to the elongate bed to drive movement of the slag removal head relative to the elongate bed and the at least one workpiece.

9. An automated slag removal apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein a toothed wheel and drive chain is provided relative to the slag removal head drive in order to drive movement of the slag removal head relative to the elongate bed or vice versa.

10. An automated slag removal apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising a drive provided on the slag removal head to rotate the at least a pair of rotating wheels.

11. An automated slag removal apparatus as claimed in claim 10 further comprising a drive mechanism to link a drive output from the drive to a driven shaft mounting the at least a pair of rotating wheels.

12. An automated slag removal apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein the drive mechanism comprises a first pair of toothed wheels provided on opposite ends of the driven shaft and a second pair of toothed wheels are provided on opposite ends of a drive shaft from drive output from the drive, and a chain provided between one of the second pair of toothed wheels on the drive shaft and arespective one of the first pair of toothed wheels on the driven shaft on a same side of the slag removal head, to drive rotation of the driven shaft.

13. An automated slag removal apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 12 wherein all of the rotating wheels, however many are provided, are provided relative to the driven shaft, to rotate together.

14. An automated slag removal apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the at least a pair of rotating wheels are mounted substantially perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the at least one workpiece.

15. An automated slag removal apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the or each of the rotating wheels is circular and the slag removal fingers extend from at least one circular face thereof.

16. An automated slag removal apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the slag removal fingers extend on a same side of a first rotating wheel of the at least a pair of rotating wheels to face a facing surface of an adjacent rotating wheel of the at least a pair of rotating wheels.

17. An automated slag removal apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the slag removal fingers on one rotating wheel of the at least a pair of rotating wheels are circumferentially offset from the slag removal fingers on another of the at least a pair of rotating wheels.

18. An automated slag removal apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein the slag removal fingers of the at least a pair of rotating wheels alternate.

19. An automated slag removal apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein each of the slag removal fingers has a free end and the respective free ends of the respective slag removal fingers on facing wheels of the at least a pair of rotating wheels are separated by a gap or space within which a portion of the at least one workpiece is received as the at least a pair of rotating wheels rotate.

20. An automated slag removal apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the slag removal fingers are removably mounted relative to the rotating wheel.

21. An automated slag removal apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein a boss is provided for each slag removal finger with a central opening within which a portion of a slag removal finger is received.

22. An automated slag removal apparatus as claimed in claim 21 wherein the boss includes a resilient portion, within which the slag removal finger is mounted.

23. An automated slag removal apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the slag removal fingers extend substantially perpendicularly to the at least one workpiece.

24. An automated slag removal apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the orientation of the at least a pair of rotating wheels is movable from rotation in a substantially vertical orientation for slag removal to rotation in a substantially horizontal orientation.

25. An automated slag removal apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the slag removal apparatus is provided within an outer housing or cage or similar for protection during operation.

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