A positioning and tensioning device for positioning and tensioning at least one wire end (12a-12d) projecting from a machine element to which the positioning and tensioning device is relatively movable in a direction of a wire end extension for further processing in the course of manufacturing the machine element of an electrical machine, comprising: a catching device for catching, positioning, tensioning and fixing the at least one wire end (12a-12d) or at least for catching and pre-positioning the at least one wire end (12a-12d) for the purpose of fixing and tensioning the thus pre-positioned at least one wire end (12a-12d) by a fixing and tensioning device, wherein the catching device comprises a first element having a first recess and a second element having a second recess, characterized in that the catching device comprises at least one inclined guide (44, 66, 70) for positioning the at least one wire end (12a-12d) or for positioning several wire ends (12a-12d) relative to each other, wherein the elements (36, 40) are movable relative to each other in a circumferential direction or a radial direction of the positioning and tensioning device, wherein the first and the second recess (48, 50) at least partially overlap each other in such a way that the at least one wire end (12a, 12b) is receivable within the first and second recesses (48, 50), and edgings of the first and second recesses (48, 50) approach or move away from one another in the course of the relative movement in the circumferential direction or radial direction, wherein at least one edging on at least one of the first and second recesses (48, 50) extends at least partially obliquely between a narrower region and a wider region of the at least one recess (48, 50) to form the at least one oblique guide (44, 66, 70). a catching device for catching, positioning, tensioning and fixing the at least one wire end (12a-12d) or at least for catching and pre-positioning the at least one wire end (12a-12d) for the purpose of fixing and tensioning the thus pre-positioned at least one wire end (12a-12d) by a fixing and tensioning device, wherein the catching device comprises a first element having a first recess and a second element having a second recess, characterized in that the catching device comprises at least one inclined guide (44, 66, 70) for positioning the at least one wire end (12a-12d) or for positioning several wire ends (12a-12d) relative to each other, wherein the elements (36, 40) are movable relative to each other in a circumferential direction or a radial direction of the positioning and tensioning device, wherein the first and the second recess (48, 50) at least partially overlap each other in such a way that the at least one wire end (12a, 12b) is receivable within the first and second recesses (48, 50), and edgings of the first and second recesses (48, 50) approach or move away from one another in the course of the relative movement in the circumferential direction or radial direction, wherein at least one edging on at least one of the first and second recesses (48, 50) extends at least partially obliquely between a narrower region and a wider region of the at least one recess (48, 50) to form the at least one oblique guide (44, 66, 70).