Abstract: In order to determine the position and/or to check the separation of the leads (A) of components (B), a direct shadow of the region of the leads at one side of the component is generated on the photosensitive surface of a local resolution optoelectronic transducer (W4). If in each case one shadow is generated successively from two different directions, the coplanarity of the leads (A) may also be checked. Preferably, the local resolution optoelectronic transducer (W4) and the light sources for casting the shadow are directly secured to the equipping head (BK4). By integrating the determination system into the equipping head, the lead position can be determined and the separation and coplanarity of the leads can be checked without delay.