Machine tool

A machine tool comprising a frame, first and second longitudinally extending guides supported on said frame and laterally spaced from one another, a central longitudinally extending guide supported on said frame between said first and second guides and laterally spaced from each of said first and second guides, a first carriage slidably mounted on said first and central guides for movement therealong, and a second carriage slidably mounted on said second and central guides for movement therealong parallel to the direction of movement of said first carriage, said guides having guide faces arranged such that each said carriage is guided both laterally and vertically, wherein the central guide has a first segment on one side thereof, the first segment carrying guide faces arranged to provide complete guidance of the first carriage laterally and vertically, and the central guide has a second segment on the other side thereof, the second segment carrying guide faces arranged to provide complete guidance of the second carriage laterally and vertically, a longitudinally extending holder bar formed on said frame, the central guide being mounted on said holder bar such that said first segment projects laterally of one side of the holder bar and said second segment projects laterally of the other side of the holder bar, each of said central guide segments comprising a salient rail extending in the direction of the length of said central guide for providing said complete guidance of the respective carriages.