What is Beveling: Bevel Types & Applications
Every application consists of using multiple components, and some of them require assembling one another. Beveling is the process of ensuring that the manufactured parts can easily join with one another. The process of beveling is highly versatile.
If you are looking to know more about what a bevel is, what its different types are, and how it works, the guide below is for you.
What is Beveling?
Beveling is a process of manufacturing in which the edge of the component that has to join with the other component is formed. Beveling is having the specific shape and angle for the assembly of the parts.
How Does Bevel Work in Engineering?
Bevel engineering helps with the configuration of the shape of a component so that the required design is achieved. They are meant to serve many functional purposes in engineering applications, which consist of stress dissipation by removing the edges and sharp corners. It even creates an added clearance for the other parts to mate and fit.
Bevels also ensure the safety and aesthetic look of the components. It helps to finish the sharp edges, making the components look aesthetically engineered and finished seamlessly. Beveling is of significant importance in manufacturing because it helps with the fitting of parts.
Beveled edges offer a channel or a groove, which helps with better fusion between the parts that are meant to be joined. Components like fasteners and shafts are also composed of beveled edges, which helps to enhance their strength and fatigue resistance and minimize stress concentration.
Pros of Using Bevels in Your Engineering Designs
Bevel plays a vital role in the engineering designs, and some of its pros are as follows:
- It helps in reducing the stress from the parts by eliminating the edges and corners, which are sharp and may lead to wear and tear.
- Bevel offers ease when it comes to assembling and helps with the easy alignment of the components.
- It helps with deep penetration, ensuring that a strong junction is attained.
- The risk of injuries to people and objects from the sharp edges is reduced.
Cons of Using Bevels in Your Engineering Designs
Bevels also have some downsides when it comes to different engineering designs, which are discussed below.
- It can lead to material loss and even reduction in structural integrity.
- It adds to the manufacturing steps and may need added labor and tools.
- Sometimes, the features it creates may not be suitable or compatible with the design requirements.
- The beveled edges do help with assembly, but sometimes they may lead to misalignment.
Types of Bevel (Beveling)
There are different types of beveling, and some of these are as follows:
Plain Bevel/V Bevel
A plain bevel is also called a V bevel, which is a very common type of bevel that has a slanted edge and a constant angle. It has a basic and simple geometric shape but is used in many applications. The slant angle of this bevel offers sufficient space for a weld and is also ideal for aesthetic and safety purposes.
Knife Edge Bevel
The knife edge bevel has a sharp edge and it is mostly opted for manufacturing shape products like surgical tools, knives, and cutting tools.
Radiused Bevel
The radiused bevel has a rounded profile with a pointed edge. It is used in metal frames and panels of an automobile. It has a rounded edge, which helps reduce stress concentration.
J-Prep Bevel
The J-prep bevel has an edge that looks like the alphabet “J” and has a composite layout that has rounded and straight sections. It caters to heavy-duty applications. It is also opted for welds, and has a straight face that helps with improved assembly.
J-Prep with Back Bevel
A J-prep with a back bevel has a simple angled bevel that is applied to the J-prep part. The back bevel has two bevels, which create a chamfer and open the welding path. It is used in welding applications and creates a wider pool of weld. It helps increase the strength of joints and even load-bearing capacity.
Compound Bevel
The compound beveled edge has a complex layout with two different profiles. It has two straight bevels, and they are present on the same edge with different widths and angles. It is one of the most versatile types of bevel and is used in pipe assembly, carpentry, and metalworking.
Compound J-Prep with Back Bevel
A compound J-prep with a back bevel is composed of a J-prep bevel and a back bevel having multiple slopes and angles. It has a compound back bevel, and a compound joint profile is achieved at different slopes and angles.
The combination of the back bevel and J-bevel creates a wider volume of weld and enhances the joint configuration for deeper penetration. It offers better control of the weld profile as well. It is very commonly used in shipbuilding, pressure vessels, reactor systems, etc.
Beveling Tools and Equipment
Beveling tools and equipment have different types, and each plays a very significant role in manufacturing the bevel. Some of these are as follows:
Manual Tools
The manufacturing of bevels is also conducted in various workshops using a manual tool. These manual tools consist of handheld grinders and hand files. Operating the manual tool requires relevant skills, and it is suitable for creating the bevel edges for small-sized projects.
Power Tools
Power tools include routers and angle grinders, offering speed, versatility, and accuracy. These are very commonly adopted by most machinists who prefer bevel edges.
Flame Cutting
Flame cutting consists of using a flame torch, which heats the material and melts it. The material then separates from the workpiece, and a bevel is achieved. This process is mostly selected for thinner components or pipes.
CNC Machines
CNC machining is a very commonly chosen method of creating beveled edges. It offers high accuracy and precise geometry. It offers multi-axis manufacturing capabilities and hence can help create complex beveled profiles.
Specialized Beveling Machines
There are special beveling machines, too, which are usually found in workshops and are dependent on certain beveled profiles in a high volume. These machines are the same as CNC machines and offer high speed and accuracy but offer customized beveling. You can choose multiple types of geometries for plates and pipes.
How to Measure Bevels?
The measurement of bevels requires having some tools, and these are as follows:
- The universal vernier bevel protractor is a unique tool that helps measure the length and angles of the bevel.
- A bevel protractor with a spirit level is a device that helps measure the bevel angle and ensure that the measurement is level.
- Laser angle measurement offers high accuracy in the measurement of angles, especially in projects that are of high precision.
- Coordinate measurement machines are equipment that allows analysis of the dimensional tolerance of the beveled edges to ensure that they are within the requirements.
Practical Tips for Beveling
The process of beveling can be a great success by following some of the important tips, and these are as follows:
- The bevel effectiveness is dependent on the uniformity of the geometry of the shape. If it is to be cut at a given angle, the face of the bevel should be at the same angle.
- Heat is not suitable for the process of beveling, although it is used to cut bevels easily. Hence, control must be exercised when heating the metal.
- The process of beveling consists of some preparations beforehand. The preparation of edges is very important. It impacts the quality and hence ensures keeping the edge clean from debris and rust to avoid any uneven bevels.
- The components do get hot when the process is being done, as a lot of friction is present. Hence, the use of coolants helps to ensure that the beveling is completed.
Compare Bevel vs Chamfer vs Fillet
A bevel is the edge between two surfaces, and the surface can have any angle, as the bevel can also have multiple angles. The bevel profile can be round, straight, or curved.
Chamfer, on the other hand, is a flat surface that has a junction at 90 degrees. A fillet has a single profile in a rounded shape and has two connected faces. It helps reduce stress and improve aesthetics.
Use of Bevels in Engineering Applications
Bevels are used in various engineering applications, and some of these are as follows:
Preparation of Weld: The edge of welding is prepared through the process of beveling, which helps enhance the penetration of the weld and offers resistance against failure.
Utensili da taglio: Cutting tools need sharp edges, and beveling is a method that can finish the edges of these tools in a very sharp way.
Tube and Pipe Beveling: Two pipes and tubes can be joined together using the appropriate edge beveling.
Industrial Applications: There are many components in automotive and aerospace that need beveled edges, like the external profiles of the airplane. It helps to enhance the fuel efficiency and minimize air resistance.
Conclusione
Beveling is a very commonly opted process that enhances the edges of any component. If you have gone through the guide above and are looking for the finest beveled edges, you can get in touch with us at DEK. We offer a wide range of processing methods to create beveled edges for your custom projects.
