Temperature compensated and shock resistant machine tool

A machine tool, comprising:

• a) a support;
• b) a screw having first and second ends;
• c) first and second anchors including respective first and second housings for axially securing said first and second ends to said support, respectively;
• d) a carriage mounted on said support and movable between said ends of said screw;
• e) a nut operably secured to said screw and said carriage such that rotation of said screw causes translational movement of said carriage along said support;
• f) said first anchor including a stop operably secured to said first end;
• g) a first member operably secured to said first anchor housing and engaging said stop said first member being disposed between said stop and said second end, said first member being selectively axially positionable relative to said first anchor housing
• h) whereby axial movement of said first member against said stop and away from said second end elongates said first end by an amount to compensate for thermal growth of said screw during operation.