A component loader orients a component along its long-axis for transfer from a rotatable load plate. The load plate has an outer peripheral edge and an upper surface inclined from a horizontal plane. Slots on the upper surface terminate at the outer edge of the load plate and are sized to receive at least one elongate chip lying with its long axis perpendicular to the axis of the load plate and in parallel with radius of the load plate. An outer wall conforms to the curvature of the outer edge and is mounted adjacent thereto. A transfer slot extends axially from and into the upper surface of the load plate on outer ends of the slots and terminates at the outer edge of the load plate. Each transfer slot is shaped so that a chip descending therein from a slot has a ninety degree rotation about the long axis.