A method of feeding a component tape towards a picking position of a component mounting machine is disclosed. The feeding is performed by means of a feeding mechanism configured to engage the component tape at an engaging position and to disengage the component tape at a disengaging position. The method comprises engaging the component tape at the engaging position, moving, by means of the feeding mechanism, the component tape from the engaging position to the disengaging position, disengaging the component tape at the disengaging position, and returning the feeding mechanism from the disengaging position to the engaging position and wherein the feeding mechanism moves the component tape in a linear motion between the engaging position and the disengaging position.