A feeding unit (1) to feed a component (2) in an automatic manufacturing machine； the feeding unit (1) has: at least one holding head (4), which is designed to receive and hold the component (2)； a conveyor (5) to cyclically move the holding head (4) along an application path (P)； and a rotation station (S3), which is arranged along the feeding path (P) and in which the holding head (4) rotates relative to the equipment (8) and around a rotation axis (Rl) so as to vary the orientation of the component (2). The conveyor (5) has: a closed curve guide (7), which is arranged in a fixed position along the application path (P)； and an equipment (8), which supports the holding head (4) and is provided with at least one slide (9), which is coupled to the guide (7) so as to freely slide along the guide (7). An actuation system (25) is provided, which controls the rotation of the holding head (4) around the first rotation axis (Rl) and has: a cam (26), which is arranged in a fixed position beside the guide (8) and along the application path (P)； and a cam follower roller (27), which can be coupled to the cam (26) and is mechanically connected to the holding head (4).
