having a first portion 27 attached to an outer surface of the shroud 23 and a second portion 28 attached to an outer surface of the manifold assembly 22 as shown three generally equally spaced latching mechanisms are utilized but any convenient number and spacing of conventional latching mechanisms are suitable the manifold assembly 22 includes a generally cylindrical manifold body 29 to which the second latch portions 28 are affixed to the outer curved surface thereof also attached to the curved surface of the manifold body 29 is a radially extending stud assembly 30 for attachment to a device for positioning the rotary atomizer 20 at a work station such as an industrial robot or reciprocating mechanism not shown the manifold body 29 has a central aperture 31 formed therein for the delivery of coating fluid to the housing assembly 21 as will be discussed below also a plurality of fittings extend from the surface of the manifold body 29 which faces the larger diameter end of the shroud 23 these fittings include a shaping air fitting 32 an exhaust air fitting 33 a bearing air fitting 34 a turbine air fitting 35 and a brake air fitting 36 also formed in the manifold body 29 is a speed monitor access port 37 utilized to carry signals representing the speed of the air turbine motor for example the air turbine motor can be fitted with a.