Abstract: A method is provided to crimp a sheet having, before crimping, a thickness, a moisture, a composition, and a width, the method including: obtaining one pre-crimping sheet characteristic among the thickness of the sheet, the moisture of the sheet, the composition of the sheet, and the width of the sheet; crimping the sheet to form a plurality of corrugations on the sheet, the crimping including providing a pair of crimping rollers defining a nip therebetween, the nip having a nip size, and inserting the sheet in the nip; evaluating a post-crimping characteristic of the sheet after crimping; and varying the nip size on the basis of the obtained one of the pre-crimping sheet characteristic, and on the basis of the evaluated post-crimping sheet characteristic. An apparatus to crimp a sheet is also provided.

Abstract: A vacuum pipette has a filter grid that is shifted into its extended interior and whose cross section is considerably greater than the cross section of an end-side suction opening. The gaps formed in the filter grid can be so narrow that even very small components are reliably retained. Nevertheless, the entire passage cross section available is considerably greater than in the case of a filter grid arranged at the end side. As a result, favorable suction forces are generated under constant suction conditions.

Abstract: The invention provides a gripper that is plugged onto a rotatable shaft with a flat locating groove in which the caps of locating spheres engage, these locating spheres being peripherally distributed in an annular groove of the shaft. As a result, the gripper is held precisely on the shaft and can be replaced without causing significant wear.

Abstract: The end side of the pipette has an elastomeric bearing member which is cast into grooves, is provided with a think, continuous circular bearing rib (10) and projects slightly beyond the pipette. As a result, the component is sucked on securely and fixed with sufficient accuracy when mounting components on a printed circuit board.

Abstract: An optical check for electrical components on an equipping head is provided by moving the suction pipette of the equipping head with the component affixed thereto passed a line sensor that is parallel to the axial direction of the suction pipette. The free end of the suction pipette and the component proceed into the sensor region. The sensor values for the empty suction pipette are compared in an evaluation unit to sensor values of the suction pipette equipped with the component. The presence of the component and/or the height of the component and/or the length of the component are determined by the comparison.