What is bevel cutting? – Bevel cutting is the process of cutting a part with an edge that is not perpendicular to the top of the piece. This is done to increase the surface area of the edge for a stronger, more secure weld. There are many different types of beveled edges. The edges are described throughout the industry by the English letter the cut most closely resembles when looking at a cross-section. Common bevel types include V, A, X, Top Y, Bottom Y, and K.
Although it is possible to cut a beveled edge using a handheld cutting tool, most often beveled edges are cut by a specialised bevel torch and plasma cutters or cutting head mounted on a CNC cutting table, pipe and tube cutter, or beam processing machine.
Traditionally, bevel cutting required considerable trial and error because of the number of different types of bevel cuts. However, newer technology such as Hypertherm True Bevel™ has significantly improved the speed, repeatability, and accuracy of bevel cutting. This is done by embedding common parameters into software used to control the movement of the bevel cutting torch or cutting head.
Trends in bevel cutting:
- Beveled edges are a necessity for weld preparation and other final assembly methods
- Increased productivity demands combined with increasing labor costs and a shortage of experienced operators are leading companies to adopt automated bevel technologies
- Automated technologies promise improved accuracy and repeatability for increased throughput
