A method and device useful for material removal from large plate-shaped materials, for example machining and polishing of glass and stone. The invention includes a workstation having arrays of roller and suction cups which are selectively used to transport and secure a plate positioned in the workstation. An imaging device collects data on a true position of the plate in the workstation and compares the real position to a design or ideal position to determine a difference of position. An electronic control system calculates the difference and modifies the processing program to adjust for the difference eliminating the need to further reposition the plate to the ideal design position for processing.