An automated guidance method comprising: picking up an initial image of a plurality of similarly shaped workpieces (Wa, Wb, Wc) with a camera mounted to a movable component of a coordinated movement machine ; visually recognizing individual workpieces (Wa, Wb, Wc) among the plurality of similarly shaped workpieces (Wa, Wb, Wc) using a program running on a processor in communication with the camera and the coordinated movement machine , wherein the program compares the initial image with a teaching model stored in a database, wherein the teaching model is based on teaching model images previously picked up by the camera and the teaching model images are of an object similar in shape and size to one of the plurality of similarly shaped workpieces (Wa, Wb, Wc) and each teaching model image is associated with a respective camera position of the camera when the particular teaching model image was picked up; determining axes x, y and z according to a Cartesian coordinate system and rotations Rx, Ry and Rz about said axes of the movable component with respect to each recognized workpiece (Wa, Wb, Wc) among the plurality of recognized workpieces (Wa, Wb, Wc); and with the x, y and z and Rx, Ry and Rz position of the movable component now known, moving the movable component of the coordinated movement machine to perform work on the workpiece (Wa, Wb, Wc), characterized in that the x, y and z and Rx, Ry and Rz position of the movable component is determined based solely on a comparison between the initial image and data from the teaching models derived from teaching model images taken by the camera without the use of a three-dimensional sensor to determine z, which is an offset of the movable component with respect to the recognized workpiece (Wa, Wb, Wc). picking up an initial image of a plurality of similarly shaped workpieces (Wa, Wb, Wc) with a camera mounted to a movable component of a coordinated movement machine ; visually recognizing individual workpieces (Wa, Wb, Wc) among the plurality of similarly shaped workpieces (Wa, Wb, Wc) using a program running on a processor in communication with the camera and the coordinated movement machine , wherein the program compares the initial image with a teaching model stored in a database, wherein the teaching model is based on teaching model images previously picked up by the camera and the teaching model images are of an object similar in shape and size to one of the plurality of similarly shaped workpieces (Wa, Wb, Wc) and each teaching model image is associated with a respective camera position of the camera when the particular teaching model image was picked up; determining axes x, y and z according to a Cartesian coordinate system and rotations Rx, Ry and Rz about said axes of the movable component with respect to each recognized workpiece (Wa, Wb, Wc) among the plurality of recognized workpieces (Wa, Wb, Wc); and with the x, y and z and Rx, Ry and Rz position of the movable component now known, moving the movable component of the coordinated movement machine to perform work on the workpiece (Wa, Wb, Wc), characterized in that the x, y and z and Rx, Ry and Rz position of the movable component is determined based solely on a comparison between the initial image and data from the teaching models derived from teaching model images taken by the camera without the use of a three-dimensional sensor to determine z, which is an offset of the movable component with respect to the recognized workpiece (Wa, Wb, Wc). <EOS>