Contoured Base Dovetail Machine Slides
Milwaukee MachineTool Corporation manufactures CB and CBF Series contoured base dovetail machine slides for heavy-load applications requiring rigid saddle support, accurate travel and flexible drive integration. The contoured base design includes a recessed area for a leadscrew, ballscrew or cylinder drive, allowing the drive mechanism to remain stationary as the saddle travels through its stroke.
Our heavy-duty contoured base dovetail slides are built for engineers who need greater support than a standard dovetail slide can provide. Contact us today for help comparing slide width, mounting style, drive configuration and dimensional requirements for your machine design.
Contoured Base (CB) Slide Series
The Contoured Base (CB) Slide Series is designed for accuracy under heavy loading conditions, with a base structure built to support the saddle throughout its full stroke. CB slides are a strong choice for machine tool, production and automation applications where rigidity and repeatable motion are primary concerns.
Contoured Base (CB) Slide Features
CB slides use a heavy-duty stress-relieved cast iron base and saddle for maximum stability. The base casting includes a recess for leadscrew, ballscrew or cylinder drive mounting, with precision ground ways, exterior surfaces, straight gib, standard lubrication provisions and factory adjustment before shipment.
Contoured Base (CB) Slide Specs
Compare CB model dimensions, slide width, mounting screw size, weight per inch of length and related measurements to match the slide body to the available machine envelope and required travel range.
Heavy Duty Contoured Base Dovetail Slide Size Guide
Please refer to the figures below in correlation with the dimensions chart.

Heavy Duty Contoured Base Dovetail Slide Dimensions Chart
Heavy Duty Contoured Base Dovetail Slide Dimensions |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions in Inches | ||||||||||||||
| Model | Width W | HT | R | A | BH | Y | X | MA | WW | MI | Mtg Screw | L | Lb / inch of Length | |
| WC | WB(CB) | |||||||||||||
| CB3 CBF3 | 3.00 | 1.75 | 1.00 | .44 | .75 | 5.50 | 4.25 | 1.13 | .56 | 1.72 | 5/16 | .88 | 0.6 | 0.8 |
| CB4 CBF4 | 4.00 | 2.25 | 1.31 | .75 | .88 | 6.50 | 5.25 | 1.50 | .94 | 1.94 | 5/16 | 1.25 | 1.0 | 1.1 |
| CB6 CBF6 | 6.00 | 3.00 | 1.69 | .63 | 1.00 | 9.00 | 7.50 | 1.63 | 1.44 | 2.94 | 3/8 | 1.25 | 1.7 | 2.6 |
| CB8 CBF8 | 8.00 | 3.25 | 2.00 | .88 | 1.25 | 11.00 | 9.50 | 2.00 | 1.88 | 4.00 | 3/8 | 1.63 | 3.0 | 3.2 |
| CB10 CBF10 | 10.00 | 3.75 | 3.25 | .94 | 1.31 | 13.00 | 11.50 | 2.13 | 1.88 | 6.06 | 1/2 | 1.63 | 3.9 | 5.1 |
| CB12 CBF12 | 12.00 | 4.00 | 3.50 | 1.19 | 1.56 | 16.00 | 14.00 | 2.38 | 2.19 | 7.38 | 1/2 | 1.88 | 5.5 | 5.7 |
| CB16 CBF16 | 16.00 | 5.00 | 4.38 | 1.38 | 1.75 | 20.00 | 18.00 | 3.13 | 3.06 | 9.50 | 5/8 | 2.38 | 8.9 | 10.0 |
| CB20 CBF20 | 20.00 | 6.00 | 5.50 | 1.75 | 2.12 | 25.00 | 22.50 | 3.75 | 4.06 | 11.56 | 5/8 | 3.00 | 13.6 | 15.0 |
| CB24 CBF24 | 24.00 | 7.00 | 6.00 | 2.00 | 2.50 | 30.00 | 27.00 | 4.50 | 5.56 | 12.38 | 5/8 | 3.75 | 18.5 | 20.8 |
Contoured Base with Flanges (CBF) Slide Series
The Contoured Base with Flanges (CBF) Slide Series provides the same heavy-duty contoured base machine slide design with flanged mounting for applications where underside or center mounting is not practical. CBF slides help engineers fit a rigid dovetail slide into more complex machine layouts.
Contoured Base with Flanges (CBF) Slide Features
CBF slides include the same contoured base construction, drive-mounting recess and precision-ground slide features as CB models, with added flanges to simplify mounting in certain equipment designs. This configuration is useful when access, clearance or machine frame geometry limits standard mounting options.
Contoured Base with Flanges (CBF) Slide Specs
Review CBF dimensions, flange-related mounting requirements, slide width, weight and machine fit details to select the proper flanged slide model for your application.
Contoured Base with Flanges Slide Size Guide
Please refer to the figures below in correlation with the dimensions chart.

Contoured Base with Flanges Slide Dimensions Chart
Heavy Duty Contoured Base Dovetail Slide Dimensions |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions in Inches | ||||||||||||||
| Model | Width W | HT | R | A | BH | Y | X | MA | WW | MI | Mtg Screw | L | Lb / inch of Length | |
| WC | WB(CB) | |||||||||||||
| CB3 CBF3 | 3.00 | 1.75 | 1.00 | .44 | .75 | 5.50 | 4.25 | 1.13 | .56 | 1.72 | 5/16 | .88 | 0.6 | 0.8 |
| CB4 CBF4 | 4.00 | 2.25 | 1.31 | .75 | .88 | 6.50 | 5.25 | 1.50 | .94 | 1.94 | 5/16 | 1.25 | 1.0 | 1.1 |
| CB6 CBF6 | 6.00 | 3.00 | 1.69 | .63 | 1.00 | 9.00 | 7.50 | 1.63 | 1.44 | 2.94 | 3/8 | 1.25 | 1.7 | 2.6 |
| CB8 CBF8 | 8.00 | 3.25 | 2.00 | .88 | 1.25 | 11.00 | 9.50 | 2.00 | 1.88 | 4.00 | 3/8 | 1.63 | 3.0 | 3.2 |
| CB10 CBF10 | 10.00 | 3.75 | 3.25 | .94 | 1.31 | 13.00 | 11.50 | 2.13 | 1.88 | 6.06 | 1/2 | 1.63 | 3.9 | 5.1 |
| CB12 CBF12 | 12.00 | 4.00 | 3.50 | 1.19 | 1.56 | 16.00 | 14.00 | 2.38 | 2.19 | 7.38 | 1/2 | 1.88 | 5.5 | 5.7 |
| CB16 CBF16 | 16.00 | 5.00 | 4.38 | 1.38 | 1.75 | 20.00 | 18.00 | 3.13 | 3.06 | 9.50 | 5/8 | 2.38 | 8.9 | 10.0 |
| CB20 CBF20 | 20.00 | 6.00 | 5.50 | 1.75 | 2.12 | 25.00 | 22.50 | 3.75 | 4.06 | 11.56 | 5/8 | 3.00 | 13.6 | 15.0 |
| CB24 CBF24 | 24.00 | 7.00 | 6.00 | 2.00 | 2.50 | 30.00 | 27.00 | 4.50 | 5.56 | 12.38 | 5/8 | 3.75 | 18.5 | 20.8 |
Contoured Base Dovetail Slide With Drive Screw
The contoured base dovetail slide with drive screw is configured for controlled mechanical movement using leadscrew or ballscrew drive options. This setup gives engineers a rigid slide platform with screw-driven positioning for feed, adjustment and controlled travel applications.
Contoured Base Dovetail Slide With Drive Screw Features
Drive screw configurations are available by slide width, with lead screw and ballscrew options for different motion requirements. Leadscrew drives include preloaded needle thrust bearings, a micrometer dial and a hand crank, while ballscrew drives include a preloaded ball bearing drive support.
Contoured Base Dovetail Slide With Drive Screw Specs
Compare available drive screw configurations by slide width, including Vee thread, ACME thread, rolled ballscrew and ground ballscrew options. Use the specs to match drive type, lead, thread style and slide size to the required positioning method.
CB / CBF Contoured Base Dovetail Slide Drive Screw Size Guide
Please refer to the figures below in correlation with the dimensions chart.

CB / CBF Contoured Base Dovetail Slide Drive Screw Dimensions Chart
CB / CBF Contoured Base Dovetail Slide Drive Screw Configurations |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions in Inches | ||||
| Slide Width | Lead Screw Drive | Ballscrew Drive | ||
| Vee Thread RH | ACME Thread RH | Rolled RH | Ground RH |
|
| 3 | 5/16-40 TPI | 3/8-10 TPI | - | - |
| 4 | 1/2-20 TPI | 1/2-10 TPI | Ø0.375 x 0.125 lead | - |
| 6 | 5/8-20 TPI | 5/8-10 TPI | Ø0.625 x 0.200 lead | Ø0.625 x 0.200 lead |
| 8 | 3/4-20 TPI | 3/4-10 TPI | Ø0.750 x 0.200 lead | Ø0.750 x 0.200 lead |
| 10 | - | 1-10 TPI | Ø1.000 x 0.200 lead | Ø1.000 x 0.200 lead, x .250 lead |
| 12 | - | 1-10 TPI | Ø1.250 x 0.200 lead | Ø1.250 x 0.200 lead, x .250 lead |
| 16 | - | 1 1/4-10 TPI | Ø1.250 x 0.200 lead | Ø1.250 x 0.200 lead, x .250 lead |
| 20 | - | 1 1/4-10 TPI | Ø1.500 x 0.200 lead | Ø1.500 x 0.200 lead, x .250 lead |
| 24 | - | 1 1/2-10 TPI | Ø2.000 x 0.200 lead | Ø2.000 x 0.200 lead, x .250 lead |
| TPI = Threads Per Inch - Metric leads are available | ||||
| • Leadscrew drives come with preloaded needle thrust bearings, micrometer dial and hand crank | ||||
| • Ballscrew drives come with preloaded ball bearing drive support unit | ||||
Contoured Base Dovetail Slide with Cylinder Drive
The contoured base dovetail slide with cylinder drive supports powered linear movement using pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder configurations. This option works well for repetitive feed movements, automated machine cycles and applications where cylinder-driven actuation fits the operating sequence.
Contoured Base Dovetail Slide with Cylinder Drive Features
Cylinder drive configurations are available for heavy-duty pneumatic and medium-duty hydraulic applications. Cylinder drive options allow the slide to handle powered motion while maintaining the saddle support and rigidity advantages of the contoured base design.
Contoured Base Dovetail Slide with Cylinder Drive Specs
Review cylinder drive specifications by slide width, including bore size and maximum pressure ratings, to determine whether a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder configuration fits the available space, force requirements and production cycle.
CB / CBF Contoured Base Dovetail Slide Cylinder Drive Specifications Chart
CB / CBF Contoured Base Dovetail Slide Cylinder Drive Specifications |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions in Inches | ||||
| Slide Width | Heavy Duty Pneumatic Cylinder | Medium Duty Hydraulic Cylinder* | ||
| Bore Ø (in) | Max Pressure (PSI) | Bore Ø (in) | Max Pressure (PSI) | |
| 4 | 2.0 | 250 | 1.5 | 650 |
| 6 | 2.5 | 250 | 1.5 | 650 |
| 8 | 3.25 | 250 | 2.0 | 500 |
| 10 | 4.0 | 250 | 2.0 | 500 |
| 12 | 5.0 | 250 | 2.5 | 300 |
| 16 | 6.0 | 250 | 3.25 | 650 |
| 20 | 6.0 | 250 | 4.0 | 450 |
| 24 | 6.0 | 250 | 5.0 | 300 |
| * With head rectangular flange mounting; other styles have higher pressure ratings | ||||
| • Cylinders come equipped with adjustable cushions on both ends | ||||
| • Linear alignment rod coupling and adjustable stop rod are standard on all cylinder powered slides | ||||
Milwaukee MachineTool Advantage
Milwaukee MachineTool Corporation builds contoured base machine slides for equipment requiring strength, drive flexibility and precise saddle support under heavy loading. Our CB and CBF Series designs give engineers multiple ways to integrate a heavy-duty dovetail slide into new machinery, retrofits and custom automation systems.
Our team can help evaluate mounting access, slide width, drive style, travel range and dimensional requirements before ordering. Contact Milwaukee MachineTool Corporation to discuss CB or CBF Series contoured base dovetail machine slides for your application
