Transfer device and method for transferring a tire component

A transfer device for transferring an at least partially ferromagnetic tire component, wherein the transfer device comprises a first transfer member and a second transfer member which are movable relative to each other into a first transfer state on opposite sides of a first transfer plane (P1), wherein the first transfer member comprises a plurality of first magnetic field sources that form a first magnetic field array for retaining the tire component to the first transfer member with a first magnetic attraction force (F1), wherein the second transfer member comprises a plurality of second magnetic field sources that form a second magnetic field array for retaining the tire component to the second transfer member with a second magnetic attraction force (F2), wherein in the first transfer state the second magnetic attraction force (F2) at the first transfer plane (P1) is larger than the first magnetic attraction force (F1) at the first transfer plane (P1) to transfer the tire component from the first transfer member to the second transfer member, wherein in the first transfer state the second magnetic field array is at least partially offset with respect to the first magnetic field array.