In order to ensure a reliable automated feed of connecting elements to a processing unit, an apparatus, in particular an industrial robot, is provided. A controller controls a core driver and a roller driver to rotate a core and a roller according to an rpm which is pre-set according to diameters of the core and the roller, and controls the core driver to move the core in a longitudinal direction according to the moving speed which is set according to working frequency bands of the antenna. Product is transferred from the second support to the sweep conveyor and from the first support to the second support as the transfer device moves from the extended position to the retracted position and is engaged by a metering bar which controls the product acceleration on the sweep conveyor and by a metering bar which prevents unmetered product from tipping downstream.