An insulated slag collection bed and scrap removal system for a high powered laser-equipped machine tool. The slag collection bed serves as a shield to absorb remnant laser energy which would otherwise strike the machine base. The shield is thermally insulated from the machine base so as to protect the machine base from the temperature rise in the shield resulting from absorbing the remnant laser energy. If, over time the shield is damaged or worn, apparatus is provided for ready replacement of both the shield and the insulation. The scrap removal system has a home position in which all of its components, including a scraper assembly and a drive are out of the range of the laser beam, so that they are protected from laser damage. The drive is energized to pull a scraper assembly through the machine with a plow having a lower surface in contact with the stationary collection bed for scraping slag and pushing it toward the open end of the machine. When the machine reaches the end of its travel, the drive, as it continues its motion, automatically raises the plow, pushes the scrap off the end, then returns to its home and protected position, with the plow out of contact with the collection bed so as not to pull debris back into the machine.

Current U.S. Class:	219/121.82
Intern'l Class:	B23K 026/16; B23K 026/36
Field of Search:	219/121.67,121.72,121.82