Abstract: A device for placing components (37) on circuit boards, comprising a turret (6) rotatable about an axis (5), which by a robot arm (2), using control means, is movable between a pick-up and a placement postion. The turret (6) picks up components (37) by a plurality of pick-up members (13), retains them by vacuum in a component centering means (27), which may be recessed, and assembles them at target positions, with a suction channel (suction tube 28), connectable to a vacuum source, and termininating in the component centering means (27). One of the pick-up members (13) is movably guided in the turret (6) between at least one extended pick-up/placement positions and one retracted holding/transport position, while the other pick-up members (13) in the turret (6) are kept in a transport or an inoperative position. In the holding/transport position, the suction channel is permanently connected to the vacuum source.