An alignment system for providing at least a planar alignment of at least one component in relation to a secondary reference plane, comprising: a frame and stator assembly, having, at an upper portion thereof, at least a semi-spherical receiving interface; a movable assembly that moves within the frame and stator assembly, and that is connectively associated therewith by at least a plurality of springs (810a, 810b), comprising: a floating yoke portion, having associated therewith at least: a plurality of linear motion stops; a semi-spherical air bearing stage (106, 302), suitable for reception by the semi-spherical receiving interface and capable of at least rotational movement therewithin; a chuck within the semi-spherical air bearing stage (106, 302) and capable of at least co-planar, post-planar, and ante-planar positioning in relation to a plane provided by a topmost portion of the semispherical air bearing stage (106, 302), wherein the chuck is capable of receiving the component; and wherein the movable assembly allows for placement of a plane provided by the topmost portion of the component into a suitable position with respect to the second reference plane so as to allow for processing of the component and another component that provides the second reference plane, wherein the movable assembly comprises at least two gripper jaws suitable for receiving and holding, at an upper portion thereof, the component, characterised in that: the floating yoke portion, further has associated therewith at least a tactile portion that physically interacts with the plurality of linear motion stops and that is suitable for assessing a plane of a topmost portion of the component in relation to a second reference plane; and in that the two gripper jaws comprise, at a lower portion thereof, ramps capable of physically interacting with ones of the motion stops such that the gripper jaws move vertically downward and/or angularly with respect to either or both sides. a frame and stator assembly, having, at an upper portion thereof, at least a semi-spherical receiving interface; a movable assembly that moves within the frame and stator assembly, and that is connectively associated therewith by at least a plurality of springs (810a, 810b), comprising: a floating yoke portion, having associated therewith at least: a plurality of linear motion stops; a semi-spherical air bearing stage (106, 302), suitable for reception by the semi-spherical receiving interface and capable of at least rotational movement therewithin; a chuck within the semi-spherical air bearing stage (106, 302) and capable of at least co-planar, post-planar, and ante-planar positioning in relation to a plane provided by a topmost portion of the semispherical air bearing stage (106, 302), wherein the chuck is capable of receiving the component; and a floating yoke portion, having associated therewith at least: a plurality of linear motion stops; a semi-spherical air bearing stage (106, 302), suitable for reception by the semi-spherical receiving interface and capable of at least rotational movement therewithin; a chuck within the semi-spherical air bearing stage (106, 302) and capable of at least co-planar, post-planar, and ante-planar positioning in relation to a plane provided by a topmost portion of the semispherical air bearing stage (106, 302), wherein the chuck is capable of receiving the component; and wherein the movable assembly allows for placement of a plane provided by the topmost portion of the component into a suitable position with respect to the second reference plane so as to allow for processing of the component and another component that provides the second reference plane, wherein the movable assembly comprises at least two gripper jaws suitable for receiving and holding, at an upper portion thereof, the component, characterised in that: the floating yoke portion, further has associated therewith at least a tactile portion that physically interacts with the plurality of linear motion stops and that is suitable for assessing a plane of a topmost portion of the component in relation to a second reference plane; and in that the two gripper jaws comprise, at a lower portion thereof, ramps capable of physically interacting with ones of the motion stops such that the gripper jaws move vertically downward and/or angularly with respect to either or both sides.