Method and apparatus for automated handling of cut material

Apparatus for removing a cut workpiece segment of predetermined shape from a workpiece sheet material on a planar support surface, the apparatus comprising

• A. a first plate bearing a first plurality of arrays of resilient needle-like elements extending therefrom with distal tips lying substantially in a plane parallel to said support surface
• B. a second plate having a second plurality of arrays of needle-like elements extending therefrom with distal tips lying substantially in said plane, said second plate being shiftable relative to said first plate along a shift axis parallel to said plane,
• wherein said needle-like elements are angularly offset by an angle of less than 90.degree. from the normal to said support surface, said offset angle of said needle-like elements of said first array being substantially opposite to said offset angle of said needle-like elements of said second array,
• wherein each said array comprises a plurality of individual sub-sections which are individually moveable in a direction normal to said support surface between advanced and retracted positions with respect to said support surface, and
• wherein said arrays of said first plate are alternatively interspersed with said arrays or said second plate, and
• further comprising a means for selectively moving one or more of said sub-sections between said advanced and retracted positions.