Process reference
Slag removal from cut plate
Slag removal is the removal of resolidified metal, also called dross, that plasma and oxy-fuel cutting leave attached to the bottom edge of the plate. It comes before fine deburring, edge rounding, leveling or welding. How firmly the slag is attached matters more than plate thickness when you choose the method.
- The green deposit is attached below the cut edge.
Read the residue before processing it
Thermal cutting can leave resolidified material attached around the lower edge of a plate. In production, the terms slag and dross are often used for this residue. Its attachment and distribution are more useful for selecting a removal approach than the name alone.
Photograph a straight edge, a corner and a pierce area. Include a scale in the image and record the cutting method. A continuous, tightly attached bead is a different incoming condition from a bulky deposit that separates more readily.
Check whether the cutting process is creating avoidable work
For plasma cutting, plasma system manufacturers distinguish low-speed and high-speed dross. Their appearance and attachment differ, so changing finishing equipment should not be the first response to every increase in residue.
Check the cutting system's own cut chart, consumable condition and setup with the cutting operator. Correcting an upstream change can reduce the removal task. Do not transfer a feed-rate adjustment from a different plasma system to your machine without its procedure.
Bulk removal and final edge treatment have different jobs
The first task is to remove the attached deposit. The next is to assess the edge that remains. It may still carry a burr, a sharp corner or cut-face oxide, each of which needs its own acceptance decision.
A disc described for heavy slag removal is not evidence that every type of deposit will be removed in one pass. Include the most severe incoming condition in the trial and record the tooling, orientation and passes used. Avoid quoting output from a clean sample while production receives heavily encrusted plate.
Include plate handling in the production route
Plan support at the inlet and outlet, a place for separated residue, and access for turning a part when another face needs treatment. Check part weight independently from the machine's own weight.
After removal, inspect for remaining attached material and damage to the intended edge. Decide whether the part can proceed to leveling, edge treatment or weld preparation. A clean-looking outside edge does not settle the condition of a narrow internal cut-out.
Slag Removal Machines for Cut Plate
On TFON Surfacer® TF-RBC machines, a heavy deburring station with rubberized pin discs breaks slag off the cut edge. The abrasive belt then deburrs and the brushes round the edge, all in one pass. The TF-RBC-2510: 1000 mm slag removal and deburring machine handles plate up to 1000 mm wide and 500 kg; the TF-RBC-3013: 1300 mm slag removal and deburring machine takes plate up to 1300 mm wide and 600 kg. Thickness goes up to 120 mm, subject to application review.
The slag removal machine page shows the station layout and how to choose between the two widths. If you need to tell slag and dross apart, or want to know why the two terms get mixed up, read slag vs dross.
Machine reference
TFON Surfacer® TF-RBC-2510
The TF-RBC configuration includes a heavy-deburring stage for demanding thermal-cut parts. Its product description identifies a magnetic table as standard; review the actual material and support requirements before selecting the holding arrangement.
- Maximum material width
- 1,000 mm
- Published conveyor speed
- 0.6–4.0 m/min
Published model data. Material, geometry and configuration affect suitability; these values do not guarantee a result or production rate.
View model specificationsSuitable TFON models
Frequently asked questions
Can slag be removed with a standard deburring machine?
It depends on how firmly the residue is attached. Heavy, tightly attached slag needs a separate heavy-deburring stage (TF-RBC series).
How many passes does it take?
No single number can be given. The type of residue, the plate thickness and the acceptance criterion decide it. The number of passes is measured and recorded in a sample trial.
Is the part ready for welding after slag removal?
No. Successful slag removal does not document the subsequent weld or the finished assembly. Weld preparation is a separate acceptance step.
Discuss the part you need to process
Share the material, drawing and incoming condition, including the edge or face that must change.