a rotary atomizer includes a manifold assembly adapted to be attached to a mechanism for moving the atomizer and an air bearing turbine motor housing assembly releasably secured to the manifold assembly . sources of pressured fluid for actuating the atomizer and coating fluid are connected to the manifold which has fittings for releasably sealing to apertures in the rear cover of the housing assembly . the opposite end of the housing includes a shaping air cap and a shaping air ring which cooperate to define an annulus for discharging a thin ring of shaping air over the peripheral edge of an atomizer bell to direct fluid particles toward a target . exhaust air from the turbine motor is vented to the inside of the housing and directed to a chamber behind the atomizer bell to aid in directing the fluid particles . a magnetic speed pickup generates a signal which is coupled through a circuit that electrically isolates the high voltage which is applied to the atomizer to electrically charge the coating particles .