Dovetail Machine

Overview

A dovetail machine cuts the interlocking pins and tails of a dovetail joint, the wedge-shaped joinery used in drawer and case construction. This is a CNC model with three synchronized router spindles working under template guidance, so it can cut a full repeating dovetail pattern across a board in one pass rather than one socket at a time.

The cutting head rides on the Portal Gantry, carrying the Multi-Spindle Cutting Head. The Template Finger System guide the bits to the pattern, the Clamping Rail System lock the workpiece down, and the Z-Depth Adjustment sets cut depth. Work is positioned on the Workpiece Table, the whole machine is run by the CNC Control System, and chips are pulled away by the Dust Collection Hood.

Gantry and spindle cluster

The Portal Gantry is a portal that moves the head in two axes. A X Carriage rides two X Rail rails driven by the X Motor, and a Y Carriage crosses it on two Y Rail rails driven by the Y Motor.

The Multi-Spindle Cutting Head is the cutting head: three router spindles, the Spindle 1, Spindle 2 and Spindle 3, each spun by a Spindle Motor and fitted with a Router Bit carbide dovetail cutter. Running them together is what lets the machine cut several profiles at once.

Template guidance and clamping

The Template Finger System system steers the bits to a repeating pattern. A Finger Template master plate carries the dovetail contour, three Follower Finger bearing pins track it, all mounted on a Finger Rail and tuned by a Finger Adjuster bracket.

The Clamping Rail System hold the stock against cutting forces. A Clamp Rail X and a Clamp Rail Y frame the work, four Clamp Cylinder pneumatic actuators apply force, and eight Clamp Pad soft pads spread it without marring the wood.

Depth, table and dust

The Z-Depth Adjustment sets how deep the bits cut. A Z Motor drives a Z Ballscrew to raise and lower the head, referenced by a Depth Sensor proximity sensor.

Stock sits on the Workpiece Table, a cast iron Table Plate with a X Readout and Y Readout digital readout and a Adjustment Screw fine screw for locating the part. The Dust Collection Hood shrouds the cluster with a Collection Hood and ducts shavings out through a Vacuum Port.

Control cabinet

The CNC Control System coordinates the axes and spindles. A CNC Controller runs the program through a X Servo Drive, Y Servo Drive and Z Servo Drive amplifier for each axis, while three Spindle VFD drives set spindle speed. A Safety Controller PLC handles interlocks and emergency stop so the spindles cannot run with a guard open.