System for removing slag from work benches

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for removing slag from a work bench with parallel plates (21) extending in a first main direction L. The system comprises a slag removal machine (5), a traction group (10) of the machine (5), and a linear sliding guide (15) for the traction group. These three elements are associated with each other so that the traction group (10) is operatively interposed between the machine (5) and the guide (15) to pull the machine (5) towards the guide (15) along the traction direction L, and so that the traction group (10) slides at least partially along the guide (15) along a sliding direction W perpendicular to the traction direction L. The slag removal machine comprises tool means suitable for straddling at least one of the plates (21) oriented in the first extension direction L, which is parallel to the traction direction L, during traction.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a powered system for removing slag from a work bench. The invention has been developed with particular reference to the removal of metal slag, but does not exclude other types of slag, such as polymer slag.

[0002] The present invention is particularly suitable for use in connection with laser cutting machines, but does not exclude application in connection with any work machine that generates slugs that must be removed from the work bench. [Background technology]

[0003] Known work benches, with which the present invention is adapted to interact, are generally fitted to high-precision laser cutting machines or the like, and comprise a series of plates with a longitudinal extension direction, which are placed side by side and spaced apart in a longitudinal parallel direction, thereby defining a series of stationary surfaces all lying in one plane.

[0004] During cutting, molten slag falls onto these plates and adheres to them, changing the surface and therefore the precision of the machine. After a certain limit, the change in working precision requires the replacement of the work bench.

[0005] Alternatively, machines have been developed to remove the slag, which slide along the plate and can be cleaned using special tools.

[0006] An example of such a machine is known from the applicant's previous international patent application, WO 2020 / 051551. This machine is very effective, but because it features manual traction, the operator may require some physical strength.

[0007] Other machines for cleaning such work benches are known from EP 1706218 and US 2006 / 075593.

[0008] The latter, in particular, addresses the provision of a traction system that automatically moves the machine along the plate. However, it also provides the slug removal cutter with the function of a traction wheel. This limits the possibilities for selecting the removal tool. Therefore, this system is not applicable to all machines. Furthermore, by requiring the cutter to be oriented only on an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the plate, it prevents the machine from being "pulled" downwards for greater slug gripping force. However, the main drawback of the described traction system is the need for laborious movement of the machine from one plate to another. In fact, the machine must be manually locked on the starting side of the plate and unlocked when it reaches the opposite side in order to move onto the adjacent plate.

[0009] It should be noted that, along with the particular challenges of known machines, cleaning systems using powered traction systems must take into account the overall dimensions of the laser cutting machine, including the cutting head and part feeding groups from the autoloader, around and above the bench.

[0010] It is therefore clear that when not in use, the slag removal system must not interfere with the operation of the components from the cleaned work machine. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0011] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2020 / 051551 [Patent Document 2] European Patent No. 1706218 [Patent Document 3] US Patent Application Publication No. 2006 / 075593 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0012] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to overcome, in whole or in part, the problems of the prior art.

[0013] A preferred object of the present invention is to provide a powered system for removing slag from a work bench that is motorized and compatible with various types and trends of slag removal tools.

[0014] Another preferred object of the present invention is to provide a powered system for removing slag that can be operated by an operator standing on only one side of the work bench.

[0015] Another preferred object of the present invention is to provide a power system that takes into account the overall size of the work machine associated with the bench and that does not interfere with its operation when cleaning is completed.

[0016] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a power system with a reliable supply.

[0017] Yet another preferred object of the present invention is to provide a power system that is easy to use. [Means for solving the problem]

[0018] According to a first general aspect, the invention relates to a system for removing slag from a work bench comprising a number of plates (21) parallel to one another and arranged side by side in a first main direction of deployment L. The system comprises a slag removal machine (5), a traction group (10) of said machine (5) and a linear sliding guide (15) for the traction group. These three elements are: a traction group (10) operatively interposed between the machine (5) and the guide (15) so as to pull the machine (5) towards the guide (15) along a traction direction L; and - so that the traction group (10) slides at least partially along the guide (15) in a sliding direction W perpendicular to the traction direction L, are related to each other. The slagging machine comprises tool means suitable for straddling at least one of said plates (21) during said pulling, oriented in a first deployment direction L parallel to the pulling direction L.

[0019] Overall, the group (10) preferably comprises at least one traction cable (25), at least one winch (50) for winding up this cable (25), and skidding means (56) for sliding with the winch relative to the linear guide (15).

[0020] According to some preferred embodiments, the winch is supported by the machine (5), the skidding means (56) is slidably supported by the guide (15), and the winch (50) and the skidding means are connected to each other by a traction cable (25), whereby the winch pulls the machine towards the skidding means mounted on the sliding guide.

[0021] According to some alternative embodiments, the winch is slidably supported on a sliding guide (15) by means of skidding means and is connected to the machine (5) by a towing cable (25) in order to pull the machine (5) up to the winch itself.

[0022] According to some preferred embodiments of the invention, the winch (50) comprises at least one reel for winding up the towing cable (25) of the machine (5).

[0023] Preferably, the winch (50) and the machine (5) are connected to each other by a towing cable (25) and a control line (52) of a power means (54) in the winch (50), so that they can be simultaneously hoisted by the winch (50).

[0024] In such a case, the control line is preferably supplied by a supply line (52b) which supplies the power means (54) of the winch (50) and which is also connected to the machine (5), whereby the winch (50) is controlled by a control unit (51) located on the machine (5).

[0025] Preferably, the winch (50) comprises at least two reels (55, 60) for simultaneously winding up the machine's towing cable (25) and the control line (52).

[0026] In such a case, the reels (55, 60) preferably include respective grooved surfaces with respective helical seats for receiving the traction cable (25) and the control line (52), respectively. The traction groups further include respective contact elements (68, 69), which maintain the traction cable (25) and the control line (52) in the helical seats (65 and 66) during rotation. The reels preferably counter-rotate.

[0027] According to some possible embodiments, the winch (50) and the machine (5) are connected to each other by a traction cable (25), and the winch (10) is connected to a control line (52) of the power means (54), where only the traction cable is wound by the winch (50), while the control line (52) remains outside the winch (50) and connects the winch (50) to a control remote from the machine (5), for example a foot control, or to the machine (5) itself.

[0028] Preferably, the winch (50) is connectable and disconnectable to the machine (5) and can be tilted backwards relative to the linear sliding guide (15).

[0029] Overall, the towing group (10) preferably has at least one inoperative state that allows manual unwinding of the cable (25) in order to manually move the machine (5) away in the direction opposite to the towing direction. For example, the group comprises pneumatic power means arranged to move at least one reel of a winch in order to reel in the cable (25). In the inoperative state, the power means allows the reel to be rotated in the opposite direction by manual pulling in order to unwind the cable.

[0030] According to some preferred embodiments, this group comprises pneumatic power means arranged to drive at least one reel of the winch in order to wind up the cable (25), which generally allows adaptation to the opposite side caused by the slug.

[0031] Preferably, the machine (5) is provided with a handlebar (43) on which: - a control unit (51) for operating the traction group (10); - a control unit (48) for operating the tool means (35) of the machine (5); - at least one supply connection (49) between at least one supply line (49, 52b) external to the system and the tool means (35); - at least one supply connection (52b) between at least one external supply line and the traction group (10); exists.

[0032] According to a second general aspect, the present invention relates to a method for removing slag from a work bench with plates that are parallel to one another, the method comprising: - providing a system according to at least one of the preceding claims; - providing the bench (20) to be cleaned with a sliding guide (15) at one end of the bench (20) in a position perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of development L of the plate (21); - providing a traction group (10) on the guide (15) at one distal end relative to the sliding guide (15) for positioning the machine (5) across at least the first plate (21); - operating the tool means (35) of the machine (5) which, when in operation, operate the traction group (10) to move the machine (5) along the plate (21); - when the machine (5) reaches the end of the plate (21) proximal to the sliding guide (15), stopping the traction and returning the machine (5) by moving it to the adjacent plate (21) (for example by manually pulling and unwinding the cable); and - aligning the towing group (10) with the new plate to be cleaned by sliding it on the linear sliding guide (15).

[0033] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, given by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0034] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a system according to the present invention for removing slag from a work bench; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 illustrates the system of FIG. 1 interacting with a workbench. [Figure 3] 1 associated with the bench of FIG. 2 in an end-of-work configuration with the tow group reclined aft. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a machine for removing slag in the system of FIG. 1. [Figure 5] 5 is a schematic side view of the machine of FIG. 4 interacting with the plate of the bench of FIG. 2; [Figure 6] 5 showing the slag removal tool acting on the plate. FIG. [Figure 7]FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a traction group in the system of FIG. 1; [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows the group of FIG. 7 with the protective casing removed to show the internal components. [Figure 9] 7 in that it is a perspective view from a different vantage point and that other details of the framework have been removed to better show the interlocking between the internal cable take-up reel and the hose take-up reel. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the AA plane of FIG. 9. [Figure 11] 1 is a schematic diagram of a system according to a first alternative embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 12] 2 is a schematic diagram of a system according to a second alternative embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a system according to a third alternative embodiment of the invention applied to a work bench. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 shows the system of FIG. 13 without the work bench. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 shows the slag removal machine 5 in the system of FIGS. 13 and 14, with the machine shown without the casing to show the internal components. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] Referring to Figure 1, a system for removing slag from a work bench according to the present invention is shown and is generally designated by the reference numeral 1, hereinafter simply referred to as the "system".

[0036] The system 1 comprises a slag removal machine 5, hereinafter referred to as "machine" for short, a traction group 10 of the machine 5 and a linear sliding guide 15 for the traction group.

[0037] The traction group is operatively interposed between the machine 5 and the guide 15 to pull the machine 5 towards the guide 15 along a traction direction L that coincides with the working direction of the machine. The traction group is likewise defined to coincide with the longitudinal direction of development of the bench plate 21, as will be explained below.

[0038] The traction group slides along the guide portion 15 in a sliding direction W perpendicular to the traction direction L.

[0039] Overall, the towing group 10 allows the machine to be manually steered away in the direction opposite to the towing direction.

[0040] For example, the traction group 10 allows the machine 5 to be pulled towards the guidance section 15 by winding up the traction cable 25, and to move the machine 5 away from the guidance section 15 by unwinding the cable 25, as described below.

[0041] Overall, the traction group moves itself freely in both sliding directions W of the guide part 20. It can be moved manually, for example.

[0042] 2, there is shown the association of the system 1 to a work bench 20 to be cleaned, where this association is generally designated by the reference numeral 2.

[0043] The work bench 20 comprises a series of plates 21 with a general longitudinal extension in the direction L, which are arranged parallel and spaced apart and which define, with their vertically oriented sides 22, a horizontal work surface P.

[0044] Preferably, these sides are toothed.

[0045] The bench 1 in the plane P has a length L1 and a width W1.

[0046] As can be seen from the previous hint, the system 1 is associated with the bench 20 so that the traction direction L coincides with the longitudinal deployment direction L1 of the plate 21 and so that the sliding direction W coincides with the width direction W1 of the bench.

[0047] The winding and unwinding range of the traction cable 25 is at least equal to the length L1 of the bench 20, and the length of the guide 15 is at least equal to the width W1 of the bench.

[0048] Preferably, the slide guide 15 is permanently associated with the bench 20 at a height below the plane P.

[0049] The traction group 10 can preferably assume at least two positions on the sliding guide 15: a working position in which the traction cable is kept above plane P, and a rest position in which it is tilted back so that the entire traction group is at a height below plane P. In this way, even if the guide and working group are permanently associated with the bench, they do not interfere with the movement of the tool machine when not in use.

[0050] The machine 5 can preferably be coupled and uncoupled to the towing group, for example by simply hooking and unhooking the towing cable 25 .

[0051] 4, 5 and 6, the machine 5 comprises a main body 45. The main body 45 is provided with resting means 30 for resting on the vertically facing sides 22 of the plates 20 so as to define an ideal sliding plane P1 on the bench surface P. The resting means comprises, for example, a pair of wheels 32. The resting means are aligned with each other so as to roll on the vertically facing sides 22 of a single plate 21. Preferably, in addition to or as an alternative to the pair of wheels 32, the resting means 30 comprises a vertically downward facing resting surface 34 which enables it to rest on the vertically upward facing sides 22 of two or more plates 21.

[0052] The machine 5 is provided with a slag removal tool means 35 below the sliding surface P1. Preferably, the tool means projects downwards in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the traction direction L so as to straddle the single plate 21 on both sides. For example, the tool means comprises at least a pair of cutters and / or a pair of knives, but any other means suitable for removing slag from both sides is contemplated. Overall, the tool means 35 forms a passage seat for the single plate 21. Preferably, this seat is adaptable to the thickness of the plate so that the tool can interact. For example, this can be achieved by opposing moving jaw cutters for clamping the plates 21 together.

[0053] Overall, the machine 5 comprises a front part 37 intended to face the linear guide 15 in a forward working direction in the direction L, and a rear part 39 .

[0054] In the front part 37 there is a connection 41 to the traction cable 25, the connection being preferably detachable, for example of the slot / hook type.

[0055] In the rear portion 39 there is a handlebar 43 with a distal manual gripping portion 44, whereby it is preferably located at a predetermined distance from the main body in the forward direction L. For example, this gripping portion comprises a pair of knobs 44. The pair of knobs 44 are connected to the machine body 45 by spacer rods 46 with a common extension in the forward direction L.

[0056] The handlebar 43 also comprises means 48 for controlling the tool means 35. For example, they comprise one or more levers arranged adjacent to the knob 44.

[0057] In a preferred example, the tool means comprises power means, e.g. electric, which, when operated by a lever 48, allows for example the rotation of a pair of cutters or the movement of a knife to be effected. An optional power supply may be provided, for example, by a power supply cable 49 connected to the handlebar 43, preferably at its distal end. At this point, the supply cable can be connected and disconnected, preferably by means of a plug and socket connection, for example.

[0058] 7, 8, 9 and 10, the towing group 10 generally comprises a winch 50, a towing cable 25, and a skidding means 56.

[0059] The winch 50 is controllable to winch at least the traction cable 25 and is supported slidably in the direction W on the guide 15 by skid means 56 .

[0060] To unwind the cable, the winch is typically preferably left free to rotate in the opposite direction to the winding direction in response to manual pulling on the cable.

[0061] The winch 50 is controlled to winch at least the cable 25 by a control means 51, preferably arranged on the handlebar 43 of the machine and connected to the towing group 10 by a control line 52. The control line 52 controls the machine 5 and is parallel to the towing cable 25, which is also to be winched by the winch. For example, the control means 51 comprises a second lever.

[0062] Control line 52 is preferably supplied from a compressed air source external to the system, using a supply section 52b connected to the distal end of handlebar 43, for example, by a pneumatic quick connect.

[0063] The control means 51 generally controls both the winding up of the cable 25 and the release of the winch to allow the machine 5 to simply be pulled back and manually unwound.

[0064] The winch is preferably equipped with pneumatic power means 54, so that the control line 52 is a pneumatic line. However, other types of motorization, such as oil or electric, are not excluded. The latter examples are less preferred, however, because electric power in this case would have to be equipped with a clutch to accommodate possible slowdown due to the stubborn dirt covering the exterior that must be cleaned. Pneumatic power means 54, on the other hand, allow for simplification, because they automatically adapt to the resistance forces that oppose the advance of the machine 5.

[0065] As can be better seen in FIGS. 9 and 10, the winch 50 comprises a pair of counter-rotating reels, specifically a cable take-up reel 55 and a hose take-up reel 60.

[0066] One of the two reels is preferably connected to a power means 54, while the other is driven in counter-rotation with the first reel, for example by a drive means 62 with gears.

[0067] The winch preferably has a grooved hoisting surface followed by spiral seats 65, 66 which can accommodate the towing cable 25 and control line 52, respectively.

[0068] The reel comprises contact elements 68, 69 which keep the traction cable 25 and the control line 52 inside the helical seats 65 and 66, respectively, during rotation. This avoids uncontrolled winding, which can cause jamming when winding or unwinding.

[0069] Alternative embodiments of the present invention are described below, in which elements that are the same or similar to those described above are designated with the same reference numerals or the same numerals increased by 100 or multiples of 100.

[0070] Generally, embodiments are contemplated in which the control line 52 is independent of the machine 5 and is not wound around a winch.

[0071] 11 shows a first example of this type, where the system is generally designated by the reference numeral 101.

[0072] System 101 differs from system 1 in the previous figures in that control line 52 controls a foot control 53 remote from machine 5. Thus, in this case, control lever 51 on handlebar 43 is not present.

[0073] This solution is ideal when a simple, cost-effective system is needed, but is less preferred than the previous one because the control line 52 may be left unwinched in a dirty environment with sharp edges and may even become clogged.

[0074] 12 shows a second alternative embodiment, generally designated system 201. It differs from system 1 in that the control line 52 is not winched up, but extends to the towing group 10 and remains permanently free outside it, while still controlling the machine 5.

[0075] This solution is as economical as system 101, but more convenient since it can be controlled by the handlebars.

[0076] Of course, all combinations between systems 1, 101 and 201 are contemplated, such as a foot control 53 controlling the machine 5 with the control line 52 for the tow group 10 disconnected.

[0077] In both systems 101 and 201, the winch 50 does not need to have two reels, but can have only one reel for winding up the towing cable 25. In this case, it is preferable that the reel is spirally grooved and that there is a corresponding contact element as described for system 1.

[0078] In use, the cleaning bench 20 is provided at one end with a sliding guide 15, positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of deployment L of the plates 21. The traction group 10 is then mounted on the guide 15, and the machine 5 is positioned astride the first plate 21 at its distal end relative to the traction group 10.

[0079] At this point, while the tool means 35 is in operation, the winch 50 is operated to move the machine 5 along the plate 21. When the machine 5 reaches the end of the plate 21 proximal to the towing group 10, the winch 50 is stopped and the cable 25 and control line 52 are unwound by manually pulling the machine 5 backward and moving it onto the adjacent plate 21. The tension in the towing cable 25 is sufficient to move the towing group 10 in front of a new plate to be cleaned by sliding it on the guide 15. In this way, the entire bench can advantageously be cleaned by an operator standing in front of one side of the machine. Machines of different widths capable of cleaning more than one plate at a time are not excluded.

[0080] At the end of cleaning, the machine 5 is disconnected from the winch, for example by unhooking the towing cable 25 and the control line 52. The winch 50 can be removed or can remain associated with the guide 15 in a later tilted position below the work surface P, waiting for the next use.

[0081] The system 1 can be completely detachable from the bench 20 in order to adapt it to another bench as a whole, or to continue adapting it partially to the bench. In addition to the case already mentioned, in which both the towing group 10 and the sliding guide 15 remain associated with the bench, there is also provided a case in which only the guide remains, since in this way the towing group 10 can be used to clean the benches of various machines. Each machine can be provided with its own sliding guide 15 to which the towing group 10 can be associated.

[0082] 13, 14 and 15, a third embodiment of the invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 301, is illustrated and is characterized by a different arrangement of the elements of the towing group 10. In particular, the winch 350 and its power means 54 are supported by the machine 305 instead of the sliding guide 15. Thus, instead of remaining on the guide 15 and pulling the machine towards the guide 15 itself, the winch remains on the machine and pulls the machine towards the guide 15.

[0083] Preferably, the winch may have only a reel 55 for winding up the cable 25 .

[0084] The sliding means 56 naturally remains associated with the guide and provides a sliding fixing point for the cable 25, thereby enabling the winch, cable and sliding means to be aligned along the line L of the plate to be cleaned.

[0085] These figures also illustrate various linear guides 315, which can be used in connection with this or any other embodiment of the system. In particular, the guide line 315 is movable between an operative position above the work surface P and a non-operative position below. Switching between these two positions is achieved, for example, by tilting or extending. Separation of operation between the machine 305 and the guide line 315 is achieved when the bench is not being cleaned by removing the skid means 56 from the guide 315, or, more easily, by disconnecting the cable 25 from the skid means 56 while keeping them associated.

[0086] General Terminology

[0087] For purposes of understanding the present invention, the term "comprising" and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to be open-ended terms specifying the presence of stated properties, elements, components, groups, integers, and / or steps, but not excluding the presence of other unstated properties, elements, components, groups, integers, and / or steps. The same also applies to words of similar meaning, such as the terms "comprised," "have," and their derivatives. Furthermore, the terms "part," "section," "portion," "member," or "element," when used in the singular, can have the dual meaning of a single part or multiple parts. When used herein to describe the above-described operational embodiments, the following directional terms "forward," "rearward," "upward," "downward," "vertical," "horizontal," "below," and "transverse," as well as any other similar directional terms, refer to the described embodiment in an operational position. Finally, terms of degree, such as "substantially," "about," and "generally," when used herein, refer to modified terms deviating by a reasonable amount so as not to significantly change the end result.

[0088] While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this description that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims. For example, the size, shape, location, or orientation of various components can be changed as needed and / or desired. Components shown directly connected or in contact with each other may have intermediate structures disposed therebetween. The function of one element may be performed by two, and vice versa. The structure and functionality of one embodiment may be adopted in another embodiment. Not all advantages of a particular embodiment necessarily exist simultaneously. Any feature that is novel over the prior art should be considered, by itself or in combination with other features, as a separate description of the applicant's other inventions, including the structural and / or functional concepts embodied by such feature. Accordingly, the foregoing description of embodiments according to the present invention is provided for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the present invention, as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A system for removing slag from a work bench with parallel plates (21) extending in a first main direction L, comprising a slag removal machine (5), a traction group (10) of said machine (5), and a linear sliding guide (15) for said traction group, The three elements are: the traction group (10) is operatively interposed between the machine (5) and the guide (15) so as to pull the machine (5) towards the guide (15) along a traction direction L; and The traction group (10) slides at least partially along the guide portion (15) in a sliding direction W perpendicular to the traction direction L, associated with each other, wherein said slag removal machine comprises tool means suitable for straddling during said towing, on at least one of said plates (21), oriented in said first deployment direction L, which is parallel to said towing direction L.

2. 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the group (10) comprises at least one traction cable (25), at least one winch (50) for winding up the traction cable (25), and skidding means (56) for sliding with the winch relative to the linear guide (15).

3. 3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the winch is supported by the machine (5), the skidding means (56) is slidably supported by the guide (15), and the winch (50) and the skidding means are connected to each other by the towing cable (25), whereby the winch pulls the machine by means of the towing cable (25) towards the skidding means mounted on the sliding guide.

4. 3. A system according to claim 2, wherein the winch is slidably supported on the sliding guide (15) by the skidding means and is connected to the machine (5) by the towing cable (25) for pulling the machine (5) up to the winch itself.

5. 5. A system according to claim 4, characterized in that the winch (50) and the machine (5) are connected to each other by a traction cable (25) and a control line (52) of a power means (54) in the winch (50), so that they can be simultaneously hoisted by the winch (50).

6. 6. A system according to claim 5, characterized in that the control line is supplied by a supply line (52b) which supplies the power means (54) of the winch (50) and which is also connected to the machine (5), wherein the winch (50) is controlled by a control unit (51) arranged on the machine (5).

7. 7. A system according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the winch (50) comprises at least two reels (55, 60) for simultaneously winding up the traction cable (25) and the control line (52) of the machine.

8. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the reels (55, 60) comprise respective grooved surfaces with respective helical seats for accommodating the traction cable (25) and the control line (52), and the traction groups comprise respective contact elements (68, 69) that maintain the traction cable (25) and the control line (52) in the helical seats (65, 66) during rotation.

9. 7. A system according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the winch (50) and the machine (5) are connected to each other by the towing cable (25), the winch (10) being connected to a control line (52) of a power means (54), whereby only the towing cable is wound up by the winch (50), while the control line (52) remains outside the winch (50) and connects the winch (50) to a control unit remote from the machine (5) or to the machine (5) itself.

10. 10. A system according to claim 4 or any one of the dependent claims, characterized in that the winch (50) is connectable and disconnectable to the machine (5) and can be tilted backwards relative to the linear sliding guide (15).

11. 11. A system according to any one of claims 2 to 10, characterized in that the towing group (10) has at least one inoperative state that allows manual unwinding of the towing cable (25) in order to manually move the machine (5) away in the direction opposite to the towing direction.

12. A system according to any one of claims 2 to 11, characterized in that the group comprises pneumatic power means arranged to move at least one reel of the winch in order to wind up the towing cable (25).

13. The machine (5) is provided with a handlebar (43) on which: a control (51) for operating said traction group (10); a control (48) for operating the tool means (35) of said machine (5); at least one supply connection (49) between at least one supply line external to said system (49, 52b) and said tool means (35); at least one supply connection (52b) between at least one external supply line and said traction group (10); System according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that there is present

14. 1. A method for removing slag from a work bench with plates that are parallel to one another, comprising: Providing a system according to at least one of claims 1 to 13, providing a bench (20) to be cleaned with a sliding guide (15) at one end of the bench (20) positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of development L of the plates (21); providing a traction group (10) on said guide (15) at one distal end relative to said sliding guide (15) for positioning a machine (5) across at least a first plate (21); operating the tool means (35) of the machine (5) and, while the tool means (35) is in operation, operating the traction group (10) to move the machine (5) along the plate (21); when the machine (5) reaches the end of the plate (21) proximal to the sliding guide (15), stopping the traction and returning the machine (5) by moving it to the adjacent plate (21); Aligning the towing group (10) with a new plate to be cleaned by sliding the towing group (10) on the linear sliding guide (15); A method comprising:

Images