Bevel Cutting
In general, all common cutting methods such as plasma, oxyfuel, waterjet and laser can be used for bevel cutting. Not only flat sheets, but also geometric work pieces can be processed in this manner with V, Y, and K chamfers.
Bevel cutting, also known as angle cutting, is the process in which a workpiece is cut at an angle other than 90 degrees. This type of cutting is typically performed using a specialised machinery or tools, such as a waterjet cutter, plasma or oxyfuel cutter that is capable of tilting the cutting head or the workpiece to achieve the desired angle.
Variable chamfers can also be used, which are necessary for a variety of welding processes.
![OxyFuel Cutting | Microstep | South Africa](https://microstepsa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/VZORKA_9.png)
![VZORKA_8](https://microstepsa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/VZORKA_8.png)
![All in one, straight and bevel cutting, Drilling, tapping, counter sinking and marking-all on one machine](https://microstepsa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/VZORKA_7.png)
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.
MicroStep has been supplying bevel cutting solutions for the past 15 years and is world leader in this technology.
Although it is possible to cut a beveled edge using a handheld cutting tool, most often beveled edges are cut by a specialized bevel torch 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’s True Bevel™ has significantly improved the speed, repeat ability, 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. MicroStep have been given the right as one of only a few OEM’s to incorporate this technology into our AsperWin CNC control system.
3 Criteria for ideal Bevel Cutting
1. Precisely calibrated tools
Precisely calibrated tools form the basis for precise chamfers. There is often the misconception that it is sufficient to collect data and calibrate the tools based on the data alone, either mechanically or by manually entering the corresponding correction values into the machine control. However with this procedure, the angular deviation of the burner can hardly be brought under the 0.5 mm limit – not to mention the high costs which are obtained in the purely mechanical setting.
At this point, the new rotator MicroStep® R5 is set up. The entire calibration process runs completely automated and eliminates deviations in hundredths of a millimetre. By independently -tensioning the torch holder of the bevel cutting head it is ensured that the deviation even after burner collision is not greater than 0.5 mm.
![MIcroStep_Bevel_Cutting](https://microstepsa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/DSC_8387.jpg)
The rest is handled with the control of the calibration: Here the exact endpoints of the burner tip at different rotation (X, Y and Z coordinates) are measured. Based on the measured deviations, the controller calculates the necessary correction values , which are automatically applied the next cutting process. This automatic calibration system (ACTG® – Automatic Calibration of Tool Geometry) provides a completely new quality in terms of bevel cutting. It significantly improves the precision and dimensional stability of the cutting process, makes lengthy mechanical adjustments unnecessary and significantly increases the productivity of the system.
![Bevel Cutting Bevel Cutting_MicroStepSA](https://microstepsa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/2-13.jpg)
2. Adaptive Height Control
To achieve the highest possible precision on a cut part, it is important to accurately maintain the distance from the burner tip to the surface of the material that is to be processed. The so-called cutting height is measured on the arc voltage – which in simple 2D sections is not a problem.
However, when bevelling comes into play there are a lot of other influencing factors that influence the ideal distance from the burner tip to the surface of the material. The inclination angle of the torch to the material, the strength of the cutting current and the flow rate of the plasma gases must be adapted. MicroStep® has developed the method of adaptive level control (ATHC® – Adaptive Torch Height Control) which allows all required parameters in bevel cutting to be automatically adjusted by software so that at any time a perfect bevelled cut can be implemented.
3 Adaptive bevel angle compensation
Different section joints in bevel cutting in cross section
In addition to the factors mentioned above, the precision of the cut work pieces is also highly influenced by the formation of section joints, which is created when cutting with the plasma arc. Illustrated in the accompanying figure is the cutting of the shape with a current of 260 A at different inclination angles (15 °, 30 ° and 45 °). As can be seen in the figure, the bevel angle is not identical to the respective opposite sides of the section joints. This is partly due to the shape of the arc, which is not exactly perfectly cylindrical. At the same time there is a formation of slag and thereby the rounding off of the top edge of the negative side, in contrast to the lower edge of the positive bevel, which remains sharp. This leads to the need for further corrections. One is to tilt the angle of the burner and the other relies on the size of the tools used, in such a way that the ready-cut part receives the exact desired dimensions.
![Adaptive bevel angle compensation Adaptive bevel angle compensation_MicroStepSA](https://microstepsa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/3-15.jpg)
These corrections are respectively different, when it involves the contours of the positive tool respectively the negative tool. Both of which are influenced by the angle of inclination of the burner, as well as the strength of the cutting current. To minimize deviations caused by the “natural condition of the plasma arc “, all systems are equipped with a MicroStep® R5 Rotator cutting system with the Adaptive bevel angle compensation (ABC® – Adaptive Bevel Compensation). This correction system ensures precision and dimensional accuracy of bevel cutting with plasma , together with the automatic calibration system described above (ACTG) and the adaptive level control (ATHC).
View Our Bevel Cutting Machinery
MSF Pro
The MSF Max is the giant among fiber laser cutting solutions. The 3D high-speed cutting machine was designed for precise processing.
The WaterCut series
The WaterCut is a solid and very precise CNC guiding machine in gantry construction, especially developed for continuous use in waterjet cutting (with or without abrasive).
MSF Max
The MSF Max is the giant among fiber laser cutting solutions. The 3D high-speed cutting machine was designed for precise processing.
MG
Multi-purpose cutting machine allowing to integrate wide palette of additional accessories.
ProfileCut
ProfileCut machine offers a comprehensive solution for steel structure production. It incorporates various cutting zones, including a dedicated area for structural profiles, and employs a laser scanner to ensure precise cutting based on the profile's actual shape.
DRM
The DRM Series The DRM is an advanced CNC cutting machine specifically designed for a wide range of dome, sheet, and pipe applications. With its robust gantry, it ensures stable and vibration-free operation, even when handling heavy equipment such as automatic oxyfuel triple torches. The machine also features a 120° rotator [...]
CombiCut
The CombiCut Series Enables cutting of material thicknesses of up to 300 mm. Furthermore, the CombiCut can be fitted with various technologies such as a plasma- rotator or a tripple Flame cutting unit (Oxyfuel).Drilling Tool station with capasity of up to 40mm dia and even different marking technologies. If required up [...]
AquaCut
AquaCut is a high-precision CNC cutting machine designed for processing of a wide variety of materials including those that cannot be subject to thermal or mechanical stresses.
Read Our Bevel Cutting Blog Posts
Do you know what the exact cost is of items that you manufacture?
The importance of Visual Factory Automation has become very [...]
The Importance of Original Consumables for your CNC Plasma Cutting System
There is a popular tale that illustrates the reason [...]
Bevel cutting and the future of your factory
Bevel Cutting for the Future The topic of bevel [...]