Headstock cooling system for a machine tool

A machine tool provided with a headstock cooling means for a spindle rotatably mounted therein comprising:

• a) a base having a top, a first region and a first fluid passageway extending therethrough from said first region to said top;
• b) a bed mounted on said base top and provided with a second fluid passageway connected to said first fluid passageway;
• c) a headstock having a bottom, top and sides, said headstock mounted on said bed and positioned above said second fluid passageway and including means communicating with said second fluid passageway;
• d) said means communicating with said second fluid passageway including a headstock central opening;
• e) said headstock central opening including lateral venting means extending from said central opening and out said sides of said headstock;
• f) shroud means for directing a cooling fluid exiting from said lateral venting means upwardly along said headstock sides and across said headstock top surface, said shroud means including sidewalls and a top surface;
• g) said shroud means further including means for vertically exiting the cooling fluid from said shroud means top surface;
• h) a housing for said base, said bed and said headstock;
• i) blower means associated with said housing for supplying a cooling fluid into said first fluid passageway, through said second fluid passageway and around said headstock for cooling said headstock over at least a substantial portion of the exterior surface of said headstock;
• and
• j) exhaust means associated with said housing positioned above said headstock for venting the cooling fluid from said housing after cooling of said headstock.