A method for conveying plate-shaped components, in particular sheet metal parts, comprising the following method steps: - providing an automated vacuum gripper, the vacuum gripper comprising a plurality of suction elements, which are arranged at a preferably movable support part, a first vacuum generator for forming a first vacuum circuit, a second vacuum generator for forming a second vacuum circuit, at least one switching element connected to a system controller for automated switch-over of the first vacuum circuit to the second vacuum circuit, at least one compressed air supply connected to at least the first and the second vacuum generators, and at least one first and second sensor device (16, 17), wherein the first vacuum generator is associated with a first predeterminable group of suction elements, and the second vacuum generator is connected to a vacuum tank for forming a second vacuum circuit, which may be activated in case of emergency and is redundant to the first vacuum circuit, and wherein the at least one first sensor device is formed for monitoring the vacuum at least at the first vacuum circuit, and the at least one second sensor device has an optical sensor for detecting a relative movement of the component during a conveying operation; - picking a component up by means of the vacuum gripper by creating a vacuum at at least one suction element and a surface of the component, thus forming the first vacuum circuit; - continuously monitoring the vacuum of the first vacuum circuit by means of the at least one first sensor device; - continuously monitoring a position of the component relative to at least the second sensor device of the vacuum gripper, which sensor device is configured as an optical sensor; - conveying the component to a predeterminable destination, wherein, if a relative movement of the component has been detected, an alarm is triggered in the system controller. - providing an automated vacuum gripper, the vacuum gripper comprising a plurality of suction elements, which are arranged at a preferably movable support part, a first vacuum generator for forming a first vacuum circuit, a second vacuum generator for forming a second vacuum circuit, at least one switching element connected to a system controller for automated switch-over of the first vacuum circuit to the second vacuum circuit, at least one compressed air supply connected to at least the first and the second vacuum generators, and at least one first and second sensor device (16, 17), wherein the first vacuum generator is associated with a first predeterminable group of suction elements, and the second vacuum generator is connected to a vacuum tank for forming a second vacuum circuit, which may be activated in case of emergency and is redundant to the first vacuum circuit, and wherein the at least one first sensor device is formed for monitoring the vacuum at least at the first vacuum circuit, and the at least one second sensor device has an optical sensor for detecting a relative movement of the component during a conveying operation; a plurality of suction elements, which are arranged at a preferably movable support part, a first vacuum generator for forming a first vacuum circuit, a second vacuum generator for forming a second vacuum circuit, at least one switching element connected to a system controller for automated switch-over of the first vacuum circuit to the second vacuum circuit, at least one compressed air supply connected to at least the first and the second vacuum generators, and at least one first and second sensor device (16, 17), wherein the first vacuum generator is associated with a first predeterminable group of suction elements, and the second vacuum generator is connected to a vacuum tank for forming a second vacuum circuit, which may be activated in case of emergency and is redundant to the first vacuum circuit, and wherein the at least one first sensor device is formed for monitoring the vacuum at least at the first vacuum circuit, and the at least one second sensor device has an optical sensor for detecting a relative movement of the component during a conveying operation; - picking a component up by means of the vacuum gripper by creating a vacuum at at least one suction element and a surface of the component, thus forming the first vacuum circuit; - continuously monitoring the vacuum of the first vacuum circuit by means of the at least one first sensor device; - continuously monitoring a position of the component relative to at least the second sensor device of the vacuum gripper, which sensor device is configured as an optical sensor; - conveying the component to a predeterminable destination, wherein, if a relative movement of the component has been detected, an alarm is triggered in the system controller.