Cooling is one of the main tasks of fluid systems in cutting machine tools. Cooling systems are essential for controlling the thermo-elastic properties of the whole machine structure. The paper describes an experimental investigation of a modern machining center's cooling system. Additionally, a network-based simulation strategy is presented, which has been utilized for the theoretical analysis regarding the energetic properties and thermal impact as well as the evaluation of improved design concepts. These for instance focus on the optimum placement of pipes and individually controllable supply units.