Method of detecting a malfunction during a displacement of an element by means of a drive system, and device suitable for carrying out such a method

A component placement device configured to detect a malfunction during a displacement of an element, the component placement device comprising:

• a processor configured to:
• cause a displacement of the element along a path that defines a series predetermined positions;
• determine an actual position of the element corresponding to each of the predetermined positions during the displacement of the element;
• determine a difference between each actual position of the element and the corresponding predetermined position of the element;
• determine a derivative of the difference, wherein the difference and the derivative both fluctuate around an equilibrium value;
• sample the values of the difference and the derivative on one side of the equilibrium value;
• multiply the sampled values of the difference and the derivative;
• compare the multiplied values to a reference value;
• detect the malfunction if the multiplied values are greater than the reference value;
• and
• displace or stop movement of the element when the malfunction is detected.