Abstract: A mechanism for picking up and centering a component which is to be placed on an object includes a suction nozzle for holding the component. A first actuator moves the suction nozzle vertically to position the component at a preselected height relative to centering fingers of the mechanism. A second actuator moves the centering fingers horizontally toward the component to center the component being held by the nozzle. A third actuator rotates the suction nozzle (and component) about a vertical axis. The fingers may form vertically spaced component-engaging zones of different shape (e.g., different width and/or thickness) for receiving components of correspondingly different shapes.