Bead separator, bead supply station and a method for separating a single bead from a bead supply unit holding a plurality of beads

A bead supply station comprising a bead supply unit for holding a plurality of beads, and a bead separator configured for separating a single bead from the bead supply unit holding a plurality of beads, wherein the bead separator comprises a first gripper configured for separating the single bead from the rest of the plurality of beads in a separation direction and a first gripper base configured for supporting said first gripper, wherein the first gripper comprises a first jaw member and a second jaw member which are movable towards each other from opposite sides of a first gripper plane defined by the first gripper into a closed state for gripping the single bead in said first gripper plane, wherein the first gripper is movable relative to the first gripper base between an inner first gripper position in which the first gripper plane intersects with a first bead diameter position and an outer first gripping position in which the first gripper plane intersects with a second bead diameter position different from the first bead diameter position.