A covering apparatus for machine tools equipped with a PLC controller, comprising: at least one pair of guides parallel to each other and connectable to a frame of a machine tool at an opening in the frame located above a compartment to be covered; at least one covering body with a variable configuration associated with the guides and a movable crosspiece, wherein the covering body has, respectively, a first end side attachable to the frame and a second end side fixable to the movable crosspiece, the crosspiece comprising movement means for allowing a sliding of the crosspiece along a direction of movement parallel to the guides in such a way as to determine a configuration of extension or a configuration of retraction of the covering body, the covering body comprising a plurality of beams slidable parallel to each other along the direction of movement on the guides and a plurality of covering elements made in the form of bellows, each fixed to two adjacent beams; wherein the crosspiece comprises a direct current motor, which is designed to be in use powered and controlled by the PLC controller, associated with the movement means to allow the sliding of the crosspiece on the pair of guides, wherein each guide of the pair of guides comprises a relative rack and wherein the movement means are made in the form of pinions integral with the crosspiece and meshed in the racks, wherein the direct current motor is associated with a first gear wheel designed to transmit a rotational motion to a second gear wheel associated with a drive shaft inside the crosspiece and configured for rotating the pinions, thus moving the crosspiece by two sides. at least one pair of guides parallel to each other and connectable to a frame of a machine tool at an opening in the frame located above a compartment to be covered; at least one covering body with a variable configuration associated with the guides and a movable crosspiece, wherein the covering body has, respectively, a first end side attachable to the frame and a second end side fixable to the movable crosspiece, the crosspiece comprising movement means for allowing a sliding of the crosspiece along a direction of movement parallel to the guides in such a way as to determine a configuration of extension or a configuration of retraction of the covering body, the covering body comprising a plurality of beams slidable parallel to each other along the direction of movement on the guides and a plurality of covering elements made in the form of bellows, each fixed to two adjacent beams; wherein the crosspiece comprises a direct current motor, which is designed to be in use powered and controlled by the PLC controller, associated with the movement means to allow the sliding of the crosspiece on the pair of guides, wherein each guide of the pair of guides comprises a relative rack and wherein the movement means are made in the form of pinions integral with the crosspiece and meshed in the racks, wherein the direct current motor is associated with a first gear wheel designed to transmit a rotational motion to a second gear wheel associated with a drive shaft inside the crosspiece and configured for rotating the pinions, thus moving the crosspiece by two sides.