Abstract: A manipulator head for use in a precision assembly unit is disclosed. The manipulator head includes a coarse X-Y stage or movement along the top surface in the X and Y-axis, a fine X stage for fine X-axis movements, a fine Y stage for fine Y-axis movements, and a Z stage for movement in the Z direction. Additionally, a &thgr; stage carried by the manipulator is included. A video camera is coupled to the fine X stage and fine Y stage. The video camera has an optical axis directed substantially in the Z direction. The video camera's field of view encompassing at least a portion of a part secured by a gripper attached to the manipulator head when the part is in position for processing at the workstation.