The company says the new system has increased machine utilisation and improved operator safety in the woodworking shop.

Designed by Automation Techniques Ltd, based in Maidenhead, in conjunction with Marlift of Plymouth, the system provides all the mechanical handling requirements for two recently installed RYE CMS CNC routers that produce furniture components.

"The Automation Techniques team quickly came up with a device with twist-grip controlled vacuum lift, which means that it can pick up even porous panels successfully, " said Richard Bushell, Princess' project engineer.

"This 'Stackman' system is counterbalanced so that virtually no effort is required to pick up and move panels to either CNC router, even if the panels have to be held at a substantial angle to the horizontal."

The Stackman unit is used to pick up materials as varied as veneered plywood, perspex, blockboard, MDF and marine ply with complete success.