KEVOS® MAKEOS · Quality
Dovetail Measurement over Rods
What should the measurement over (or between) rods read for this dovetail?
Measurement over rods for a male dovetail or between rods for a female dovetail slide, with a check that the rods touch the flanks below the edge.
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How this tool works
Inputs, units and where to find them
| Input | Unit | Typical source |
|---|---|---|
| Dovetail type | choice | Male for the tongue, female for the slot. |
| Dovetail angle (flank to base) | ° | Angle between flank and base from the drawing; 60° and 55° are common. |
| Width at the base corners | mm | Male: width across the base corners (narrowest). Female: width across the bottom corners of the slot (widest). |
| Rod diameter | mm | Measured diameter of the gauge rods or pins used. |
| Dovetail depth | mm | Height of the flank from the base to the edge. |
Method and formulas
- Male: x = a + D(1 + cot(α ÷ 2)). Female: y = b − D(1 + cot(α ÷ 2)), where α is the dovetail angle and D the rod diameter.
- Contact height on the flank = (D ÷ 2) cot(α ÷ 2) sin α; it must be below the dovetail depth.
- Top width = base width ± 2h cot α.
- Example: a 60° male dovetail 50 mm at the base with 10 mm rods measures 77.321 mm over the rods.
Limitations
- Sharp corners are assumed; corner relief or radii do not change the reading provided the rods do not touch them.
- Rod diameter errors enter the reading multiplied by (1 + cot(α ÷ 2)).
- Example values are illustrations. Replace them with values for your actual task.
Typical uses
- Machine and inspect dovetail slides and gibs
- Write an inspection dimension for a drawing
- Choose a suitable rod size
Who it is for
- Quality inspectors
- Toolmakers
- Metrology technicians
What you get
- Measurement over or between rods
- Width at the top edge
- Rod contact height on the flank
Interpreting the result
- Choose a rod so that its contact point is clearly below the edge and clear of any corner relief.
References
- Machinery’s Handbook, 29th edition (Industrial Press, 2012), printed pp. 682. Topic reference; no source tables or recommended settings are reproduced.
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