Dovetail Slides

Dovetail slides may also be called dovetail way slides.  They are composed of a flaring tenon or saddle (moving member) and a mortise (fixed base) into which the tenon interlocks, yet can slide. Dovetail slides are direct contact systems where the sliding area is considered the bearing system of the dovetail slide.  Since the surface contact is so large, dovetail slides are ideal for heavy load applications and industrial uses.  However, since dovetail slides have direct contact between the base and saddle rather than indirect contact (as with ball bearing slides and roller bearing slides), the force required to move the saddle is greater than other systems resulting in slower acceleration rates.