SPIRA MANUFACTURING

Dovetail Groove Cutter

Dovetail Groove Cutter

Dovetail groove cutters are the tool needed to cut a dovetailed groove, recommended for many of Spira’s groove mounted gaskets.

Dovetailed grooves are recommended since they hold the gaskets in place and allow the gaskets to expand laterally as they are deflected without constraining the sides. Spira offers both standard and custom-sized Dovetail Groove Cutters.

MANUFACTURING CONSIDERATIONS

To use the groove properly, care must be exercised during its manufacture.

• The flatness between the bottom of the groove and top surface must be held flat within ± .001”. This can be easily achieved by taking a fly-cut on the surface prior to milling the groove. Note: do not remove the part from the mill between making the fly-cut and milling the groove.
• In milling the groove, a regular o-ring groove using the dimensions of “W” and “L” must be made first, then finished up with a dovetail cutter.
• To deburr use a Scotch Brite pad (a deburring knife will destroy the “W” tolerance).

MATERIALS

These groove cutters are custom cut two-fluted end mill, made of Carbide. The standard length is between 1.25”-2.0”. Specific lengths are available on request.