Abstract: A pick-up head especially for use in a machine for placing electrical components on a substrate comprises a tool holder having means for interchangeably mounting a pick-up tool with a datum face located at a predetermined position relative to a datum position. The datum position of each tool is defined by the nose length of each tool. The pick-up head further comprises a plurality of orienting jaws mounted for movement towards and away from a component carried by and abutting the datum face of the tool when the holder is in the datum position whereby the jaws can engage the component to orient the component. The jaws have a plurality of spaced sets of cooperating datum faces disposed generally transversely to the plane of the datum face of the tool in the holder. Each set of cooperating faces being disposed so as to be capable of orienting a component carried by a corresponding tool having its datum face located relative to the datum position of the holder.

Abstract: Testing machines for appyling a loading to a test specimen are required in the electronics industry for tensile testing fine wire and tape peel force. Suitable machines are known but have been cumbersome, slow to re-set and also rather expensive. By the invention load testing machines are provided e.g. for tensile testing of fine wires or tape peel force testing comprising first and second clamp means (6, 10), one fixed the other moveable linearly, between which a specimen is clamped, and a motor (32) arranged to move the moveable clamp means (10), conveniently through a rack (46) and pinion (44) system and a clutch (42). The machine further comprises means (18) to return the moveable clamp means (10) to an initial position in which the clamp means (6, 10) are spaced apart by a predetermined initial spacing when the clutch (42) is disengaged. This provides rapid re-setting of the machine for a further test.