Programmable shims for manufacturing and assembly lines

Disclosed herein is a programmable shim 28 for positioning a work piece 12 comprising a first plate 30 ; an optional reference frame 32 ; and an actuator 34 in operative communication with the first plate 30 and the reference frame 32 . Disclosed herein too is a method of aligning a work piece 12 comprising disposing the work piece 12 upon a first plate 30 of a programmable shim 28 ; activating an actuator 34 with an external stimulus; wherein the actuator 34 is in operative communication with the first plate 30 ; and displacing the work piece 12.