A method and device for turning a continuous supply of absorbent cores oriented in cross machine direction into a machine direction orientation and dividing the supply of absorbent cores into two or more sub-lines is provided. The device includes a plurality of turning plates which each include means for picking up, holding and releasing the absorbent cores, means for reversibly transferring the turning plates from a core pick-up point to a core release point, each turning plate being mounted rotationally on an axis, so that the absorbent cores can be re-oriented from a cross-machine direction at the pick-up point into machine direction at the release point while being held on the turning plates. Each turning plate includes means for picking up, holding and releasing two or more absorbent cores.
