Feeding unit for a manufacturing machine and related feeding method

A feeding unit (12) for a manufacturing machine (6), the feeding unit (12) is configured to feed articles (3) from a pick-up station (S10) to a delivery station (S11) and comprises:

• a gripping head (16), which is provided with at least one gripping means (17), which is configured to pick up and hold an article (3) in the pick-up station (S10) and, subsequently, to release the article (3) in the delivery station (S11);
• a shaft (13), which is mounted on a rotation axis (X) in a rotary manner and is provided with a proximal end (14) and a distal end (15), which is opposite the proximal end (14) and to which the gripping head (16) is attached, wherein the shaft (13) is configured to translate along the rotation axis (X) between a lowered position (PA), in which the articles (3) are picked up and released by the gripping head (16), and a raised position (PS), in which the gripping head (16) rotates between the pick-up station (S10) and the delivery station (S11);
• a first actuator (25), which is coaxial to the shaft (13) and translates the shaft (13) between the lowered position (PA) and the raised position (PS) along the rotation axis (X);
• and
• a second actuator (26), which is coaxial to the shaft (13) and rotates the shaft (13) around the rotation axis (X) between the pick-up station (S10) and the delivery station (S11).