Difficulties On Pic Selections

Hi!Am trying to use pic controller to control an Ironsheet cutting machine, im getting difficulties on the controller selections.I Have tried some controllers but they seem not to feets effectively in my design.can advice me on how to select a best controller and even helping me some specification of this controller??
A machine is only supposed to cut iron sheets into pieces!!
Sensors will be sending signal to the PIC which will play around with it according to the complied program and output signal will actuate cutters to cut,stop,push the cut iron to completion.

Have you programmed microcontrollers before?

OK, a double post, you must be deperate. PLCs dude, any other way is a waste of time.