Automatic sequencing of all stages of the filter press operating cycle is well known and has long been widely incorporated in industrial filtration operations. The objective in this work was to achieve full, automatic, discharge without the operator intervention currently required to guarantee complete detachment of filter cake from the filter cloths of a filter press. This is a particularly desirable objective when the filtered materials are hazardous or subject to contamination, and where labour costs are of critical importance. Means have been devised for identifying residual filter cake deposits on the filter cloths of a small production-scale filter press after normal gravity discharge has occurred. A scanning laser-generated image of each cloth face is analysed to identify cake deposits and establish their size and location. This information is used by the control code of a four-axis gantry robot to direct and actuate a scraper blade in such a way as to dislodge each deposit from the filter cloth. The imaging and robot systems are designed to serve a group of presses, thus reducing the capital cost per press installed.