Advice on building an X-Y table?

[flotwig]

For the uninitiated (from Wikipedia):

X-Y tables help provide horizontal motion for automated machinery such as assembly robots in manufacturing facilities. Robotic arms and other automated machinery have only a limited range of motion while their bases remain stationary; X-Y tables allow these basis to move horizontally along X and Y axis.

I'd like to build an X-Y table which I can mount my 1w 445nm laser to in order to engrave patterns on to stuff as an electronics project of sorts. I don't really know the best way to do this. Can anybody recommend some parts or procedures I could use to get started?