Guide to Plate Beveling

Welding processes create a solid, reliable joint to connect two previously disconnected metal pieces or components. High-quality welding joints can be achieved through a wide variety of different tools, techniques, and heated substrates. The processes can be manual or fully automated. However, each welding technique comes with different advantages and constraints that can make one option a better fit than another for a specific project. For example, most welding machines have a maximum weld thickness they can provide and would have to commit to multiple-pass welds to create a proper weld for joining very thick pieces. As material thickness increases, beveling is a vital part of joining the materials and involves key preparation parameters such as bevel angle, face and land.

In this guide, we walk through what beveling is, its core functions and advantages, some of the most important things you need to know about beveling, and how Gullco can help provide consistently excellent bevelling automation equipment for your production and fabrication needs.

Why Is Beveling Important?

Beveling provides several crucial advantages when it comes to creating high-quality, fail-proof welds. Some of the core benefits of taking the time to introduce a beveling step to your production process include:

Increased Surface Area Creates a Stronger Bond

When a weld joint is holding onto metal pieces only by a thin metal edge, it puts excess pressure on the weld site. Even the best welding compounds and processes rely on having a suitable surface area for the weld to adhere to. Beveling the surface provides the extra surface area the weld needs, and a diagonal cut across metals of any thickness will always provide more surface area than a straight, square cut. This minimizes the risk of centerline cracking and a weld joint that weakens over time.

Heavy-Duty Applications

In many standard consumer and commercial applications, a beveling step is not necessary for creating a strong weld that complies with industry regulations and specifications. However, beveling and welding do give components more resistance to damage, making them more fit for heavy-duty applications that undergo regular applications of stress throughout their operational lifespan.

Simplicity

Whether your manufacturing processes use manual or automated welding techniques, easy access to the weld is crucial. Automated machinery needs to be able to efficiently access the joint, potentially without having the full dexterity of human technicians. Human welders need to have complete visibility to the site so they can apply a strong, consistent weld.

Aesthetic Production

Through beveling, welders can more easily create straight, uniform welds that give the finished product a more reliable and aesthetically pleasing look. This can be crucial for making sales in both B2C and B2B markets.

Why Is Beveling Important?

Beveling provides several crucial advantages when it comes to creating high-quality, fail-proof welds. Some of the core benefits of taking the time to introduce a beveling step to your production process include:

  • Increased Surface Area Creates a Stronger Bond

    When a weld joint is holding onto metal pieces only by a thin metal edge, it puts excess pressure on the weld site. Even the best welding compounds and processes rely on having a suitable surface area for the weld to adhere to. Beveling the surface provides the extra surface area the weld needs, and a diagonal cut across metals of any thickness will always provide more surface area than a straight, square cut. This minimizes the risk of centerline cracking and a weld joint that weakens over time.

  • Heavy-Duty Applications

    In many standard consumer and commercial applications, a beveling step is not necessary for creating a strong weld that complies with industry regulations and specifications. However, beveling and welding do give components more resistance to damage, making them more fit for heavy-duty applications that undergo regular applications of stress throughout their operational lifespan.

  • Simplicity

    Whether your manufacturing processes use manual or automated welding techniques, easy access to the weld is crucial. Automated machinery needs to be able to efficiently access the joint, potentially without having the full dexterity of human technicians. Human welders need to have complete visibility to the site so they can apply a strong, consistent weld.

  • Aesthetic Production

    Through beveling, welders can more easily create straight, uniform welds that give the finished product a more reliable and aesthetically pleasing look. This can be crucial for making sales in both B2C and B2B markets.

What to Consider When Beveling

Consider these factors when conducting your beveling processes or working with a third-party service provider:
Emissions

Emissions

If the beveler generates emissions, then workers either need to be far away from the processing equipment or have all appropriate ventilation and safety gear.

Oxide-Free Cutting Edges

Oxide-Free Cutting Edges

Oxide-free edges typically require a rotating cutter head that provides a burr-free edge.

Machine Speed

Machine Speed

Since speed can impact cut quality, strike the right balance between quality and efficiency.

Weld shape

Weld shape

Both automated machinery and manual welders need to know the exact shape of the weld and any other requirements before the project begins.

Adjustments

Adjustments

If you’re newly incorporating beveling into the production process, create a prototype so your team can adjust the bevel angle as needed.