A now and versatile automatic feeding and orienting system is described and analysed both experimentally and theoretically. The system is particularly suitable for orienting laminar parts and can utilize both the geometry and mass distribution of the part as orienting aids. Unlike the vibratory bowl feeder, where orientation is generally achieved by the rejection of incorrectly oriented parts, in the system described, orientation is achieved principally by the use of re-orienting techniques. Further, the performance of this system is readily predictable.