the present invention pertains to processes and gripping devices for picking up , transporting , and depositing flexible , limp , flat workpieces made of textile material , plastic , or other materials that can be grasped with needles . to handle such workpieces rapidly and reliably even under complicated spatial conditions , needle grippers are brought by a manipulating device into a position parallel to the workpiece and , after grasping the workpiece , into another position in which the horizontal projection of the workpiece is reduced and in which the workpiece assumes an approximately loop - like shape , in which position the workpiece is transported and deposited .