Abstract: A mechanism for positioning a cutting and punching machine relative to a fixed conveyor for feeding material to be processed in a fixed horizontal route into the machine. The positioning mechanism comprises a carriage which supports the machine for back and forth movement laterally of the horizontal feeding route, which carriage is supported in turn on a support providing tracks for lateral movement of the carriage, with the support mounted within a lined pit. A drive unit is mounted on the machine for effecting lateral movement of the carriage, and a second drive unit is mounted within the lined pit below the support for moving the support vertically within the pit.