A battery cast-on-strap machine unloading apparatus , the apparatus comprising: a plurality of units (20a - f), each unit comprising: a rotary drive mechanism (22a - f); and, a pinion (24a - f) co-axial with and directly driveable by the rotary drive mechanism; an actuator (30a - f); and, a mechanical gripper (32a - f) co-axial with the actuator, the gripper moveable between an open and closed position by the actuator; wherein in the closed position, the mechanical gripper is configured to grip and hold a group of battery plates output from the cast-on-strap machine; an elongate rack , the rack comprising teeth along a first side and an opposing second side , wherein the plurality of units are mounted adjacent to each other on the rack; and wherein operation of each drive mechanism causes rotation of the respective pinion to be converted into linear motion of the respective unit along the rack; wherein the plurality of units (20a - f) are split into a first array and a second array , the first array being offset along the length of the rack with respect to the second array, such that adjacent units of the first array are interleaved between adjacent units of the second array; wherein adjacent rotary drive mechanisms are located on opposing sides of the rack, such that the pinions of the units of the first array mesh with the teeth along the first side of the rack, and the pinions of the units of the second array mesh with the teeth along the opposing second side of the rack; and, wherein adjacent interleaved units (20a - f) are spaced apart by a gap, and wherein the width of each gap is less than the width of each unit, such that each rotary drive mechanism in the first array is configured to overlap with an adjacent rotary drive mechanism in the second array. a plurality of units (20a - f), each unit comprising: a rotary drive mechanism (22a - f); and, a pinion (24a - f) co-axial with and directly driveable by the rotary drive mechanism; an actuator (30a - f); and, a mechanical gripper (32a - f) co-axial with the actuator, the gripper moveable between an open and closed position by the actuator; wherein in the closed position, the mechanical gripper is configured to grip and hold a group of battery plates output from the cast-on-strap machine; a rotary drive mechanism (22a - f); and, a pinion (24a - f) co-axial with and directly driveable by the rotary drive mechanism; an actuator (30a - f); and, a mechanical gripper (32a - f) co-axial with the actuator, the gripper moveable between an open and closed position by the actuator; wherein in the closed position, the mechanical gripper is configured to grip and hold a group of battery plates output from the cast-on-strap machine; an elongate rack , the rack comprising teeth along a first side and an opposing second side , wherein the plurality of units are mounted adjacent to each other on the rack; and wherein operation of each drive mechanism causes rotation of the respective pinion to be converted into linear motion of the respective unit along the rack; wherein the plurality of units (20a - f) are split into a first array and a second array , the first array being offset along the length of the rack with respect to the second array, such that adjacent units of the first array are interleaved between adjacent units of the second array; wherein adjacent rotary drive mechanisms are located on opposing sides of the rack, such that the pinions of the units of the first array mesh with the teeth along the first side of the rack, and the pinions of the units of the second array mesh with the teeth along the opposing second side of the rack; and, wherein adjacent interleaved units (20a - f) are spaced apart by a gap, and wherein the width of each gap is less than the width of each unit, such that each rotary drive mechanism in the first array is configured to overlap with an adjacent rotary drive mechanism in the second array. <EOS>