Abstract: The present method and apparatus provide a possibility to remove components from a magazine, from a storage bin or the like, to transport these components to a workpiece and to put these components onto the workpiece or into it precisely at a preselected position. The component which has been picked-up by and is retained by the transportation member will usually not be in a exactly preselected position with regard to the gripping means of the transportation device, but will be more or less shifted and/or tilted with regard to a theoretical, nominal positioning axis. In order to determine the actual position of the component retained by the gripping means, the component is brought to a position scanning station during its transportation from the magazine or storage bin to the workpiece. The scanning station measures and records the actual position of the component, e.g.