Abstract: A two axes manipulating device is provided for the movement of work pieces between two arbitrary desired points in a plane. The device comprises a carriage with guide tracks for two axes disposed at a 90 degree angle relative to each other. The drive is provided under computer control via gear rack and pinion. A position sensing transducer with a pulse generator is provided in each case for the control of the drive. The invention provides a simple and economic apparatus where the gripper can be rapidly and accurately positioned. The computer control comprises a position and a speed control circuit. The carriage comprises means for balancing weights capable of moving in a vertical direction. The balancing is preferably provided by a rotating air piston engine. An electrically disengageable brake can be provided at the vertical axis. The carriage can be a light weight product, for example made from carbon fiber reinforced plastic.