dovetailglijwerk

Dovetailglijwerk is a sliding mechanism that uses a dovetail-shaped profile to guide a moving component along a rail or groove. The dovetail geometry provides self-aligning guidance and helps resist lateral displacement, making it suitable for applications where a compact, robust sliding action is desirable. The term is often encountered in Dutch-speaking contexts and refers to a family of dovetail-based slide assemblies used in both woodworking and light metalworking.

Construction and variants typically consist of a dovetail rail or groove and a mating slider with a complementary dovetail cross-section. The assembly may be designed as a single dovetail channel or as a paired, double-sided system. End blocks, fasteners, and lubrication channels are commonly included to promote smooth movement and reduce wear. In wood, the components are often machined or milled from solid stock or produced as router- or jig-made parts; in metalworking, milling cutters or broaches may be used to form the dovetail profile.

Manufacturing considerations focus on straightness, squareness, and fit between the mating parts. Surface finishes, proper lubrication, and accurate alignment are important to minimize friction and premature wear. The system is relatively inexpensive and simple to fabricate, and it provides good load-bearing capacity and resistance to skewing, though it generally conveys higher friction than precision linear bearings and is more prone to wear over time.

Applications include router table jigs, drawer slides, cabinet hardware, and light-duty machine slides. See also: dovetail joint, linear bearing, and plain sliding dovetail mechanisms.