Abstract: A placement apparatus for placing and mounting circuit components or devices in aligned combination with circuit boards. The apparatus includes an imaging system, a first stage moveable in first and second opposite directions between first and second predetermined positions, for positioning the circuit board onto which the component is to be placed within a field of view of the imaging system. A second stage, for holding the circuit component, is movably coupled to the first stage. The apparatus further includes a component pick-up system disposed about the first stage for picking up the circuit component from the second stage and placing the circuit component in a predetermined position on the first stage. The imaging system is coupled to a graphical user interface system for providing a position indicator on a monitor screen, wherein the position indicator identifies the location of a particular feature of the circuit board or the circuit component.