Machine for removing formwork from ceiling structure

A machine for removing formwork from underneath a cured concrete slab, the machine comprising:

• a wheeled base movable on and supported at a support structure;
• a raisable and lowerable structure disposed on the wheeled base;
• a formwork-removal device attached to the raisable and lowerable structure, the formwork-removal device comprising (i) an arm extending from the raisable and lowerable structure, (ii) at least one wedge element disposed at a distal end of the arm, and (iii) a formwork-retaining mechanism;
• wherein, with the raisable and lowerable structure adjusted to raise the wedge element and when the wedge element is positioned to engage the formwork and an underside of a concrete slab, the wedge element is moved relative to the formwork to apply a separating force to separate part of the formwork from the underside of the concrete slab;
• wherein, with the wedge element engaged with the formwork and the underside of the concrete slab, the formwork-retaining mechanism is operated to grasp the part of the formwork that is separated from the underside of the concrete slab to retain the formwork at the formwork-removal device;
• and
• wherein, with the formwork grasped by the formwork-retaining mechanism, the raisable and lowerable structure is lowered to remove the formwork from the underside of the concrete slab.