Laser bevel cutting forms the weld bevel (V / Y / X / K) while cutting the contour, eliminating secondary chamfering/milling/grinding for faster, more consistent weld prep. This guide covers plate vs tube nuances, angle-material-thickness windows, process & equipment essentials, QA methods, downloads, and a simple ROI calculator.
Bevel cutting creates a defined groove geometry (I / V / X / Y / K) at a set inclination while cutting the part, reserving penetration and root gap for welding—resulting in easier welding, higher stability and fewer repairs.
| Dimension | Plate Bevel | Tube Bevel |
|---|---|---|
| Typical angle | ±45° (some models higher) | ±45° (coupled with tube pose) |
| Key challenges | Heat input on thick plate, corner/small-hole strategies, warpage and drop-through of small parts | Fish-mouth/saddle profiles in 3D, stable support & feeding, rotary-axis angle compensation |
| Common use cases | Heavy fabrication, bridges, pressure vessels, machinery | Furniture/railings/auto parts, frames, tube trusses |
| Process focus | Process library, nozzle/gas pairing, angle calibration | 3-chuck with follower support, dedicated bevel head, pose/phase synchronization |
| Welding interface | Controlled gap and root face; robot welding friendly | Accurate end profiles; easier locating for robotic welding |
Use these bands for pre-selection and quoting; final capability depends on machine configuration and validated process trials.
| Application | Suggested angle | Materials | Thickness window | Typical bevels | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plate weld prep (heavy fab/structural) | ±45° | Mild steel / Stainless / Aluminum | MS: 8–40 mm; SS: 6–25 mm; Al: 6–20 mm | V / Y / X / K | Higher angles on thicker plate reduce speed; bevel nozzles and gas are critical |
| Tube end bevels (round/square/rect.) | ±45° | MS / SS / Al | Ø 20–220 mm (larger by model), wall 1–8 mm | V / K / fish-mouth / saddle | Use follower support and 3-chuck stability; dedicated bevel head recommended |
| Profiles/sections (3D/5-axis) | ±45° (higher possible with robots/5-axis) | MS / SS / alloy steels | Depends on section | V / Y / composite | 5-axis or robot poses + collision protection + online calibration |
Use these baseline parameters to scope quotes and plan trial cuts. They assume a 10–12 kW fiber laser with a bevel head and clean assist gas, targeting 30–35° bevels on common materials. Fine-tune feed rate, focus, standoff and corner routines on your machine; apply the derating note for ±45° and thicker sections, and reduce speeds a further 10–15% for tube end/saddle profiles.
| Material | Thickness | Bevel angle | Gas | Nozzle/orifice | Ref. speed (m/min) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mild steel | 12 mm | 30° | O₂ 0.8–1.1 bar | Bevel nozzle Ø1.6–1.8 mm; standoff 1.0–1.4 mm | 1.2–1.6 | Focus −1.0…−1.5 mm; corners −30–40%; lead-in/out 3–4 mm; micro-joints 0.8 × 4 mm; speed ≈ straight-cut × (0.70–0.80). |
| Stainless | 10 mm | 35° | N₂ 14–18 bar | Bevel nozzle Ø2.0–2.3 mm; standoff 0.8–1.2 mm | 0.8–1.1 | Focus −1.8…−2.2 mm (clean edge); corners −35–45%; pierce 0.35–0.60 s (stepped/dynamic); use dry high-purity nitrogen. |
| Aluminum | 8 mm | 30° | N₂ 16–20 bar (option: N₂+He 90/10 @ 18 bar) | Bevel nozzle Ø2.0–2.5 mm; standoff 0.8–1.2 mm | 2.5–3.6 | Focus 0…+0.5 mm; corners −20–30%; prevent edge collapse: increase height-control responsiveness and segment the path if needed; consider a high-flow shroud to reduce spatter adhesion. |
| Mild steel | 16 mm | 35° | O₂ 0.7–1.0 bar | Bevel nozzle Ø1.8–2.0 mm; standoff 1.2–1.6 mm | 0.8–1.2 | Focus −1.2…−1.8 mm; corners −40–50%; brief pre-heat/dwell to suppress roughness; at ±45° reduce speed a further 20–25% as a starting point. |
| Stainless | 6 mm | 30° | N₂ 12–16 bar | Bevel nozzle Ø1.8–2.0 mm; standoff 0.8–1.0 mm | 2.0–2.8 | Focus −1.2…−1.6 mm; corners −25–35%; for small holes/sharp corners, slow down up to −50% and add a skim pass for brighter edges. |
Angle derating guide (relative to the 30–35° speed): MS × 0.75, SS × 0.70, Al × 0.80 when increasing to ±45°. For each additional 4 mm of thickness, reduce speed a further 5–10% as a starting point.
| Inspection item | Tool | Target | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bevel angle | Goniometer/vision | ±1° (target) | FAI 100%, then sampling | Log corners and small holes |
| Root face / gap | Feeler gauge/caliper | ±0.2 mm (target) | As above | Follow welding SOP |
| Edge roughness | Ra tester | Per material & thickness | Sampling | Important for robot welding |
Formula (monthly): Net Savings = Labor savings + Consumables/outsource savings − (Electricity + Assist gas + Depreciation & maintenance).
Labor savings = (Old post-process time/ft − New time/ft) × Monthly bevel length (ft) × Fully burdened labor rate ($/h) ÷ 60.
Defaults reference US official averages (EIA/BLS) as placeholders. Replace with your plant's contracts/meters for accuracy.
Figures are representative examples. Validate on your parts with a trial cut.
Ask for our sample geometry pack (STEP/DXF) when booking your demo.
Standard setups usually support ±45°; certain heads or models may go higher. Material, thickness and process settings ultimately determine the limit—validate by trial.
Yes—higher angles and thicker sections often mean slower speeds. Correct nozzle/gas and tuned corner strategies help keep the edge clean and consistent.
V / Y / X / K on plates; fish-mouth/saddle profiles on tubes.
Laser makes the bevel in a single pass with high repeatability and automation potential, often reducing downstream steps and rework.
Target ±1° with online/offline calibration and sampling. Pay extra attention to corners and small holes.
Yes. Control root face and gap; provide reference edges/holes for fixtures.
O₂ for mild steel; N₂/mix for stainless and aluminum to keep edges clean. Confirm with your library and samples.
Send material, thickness, target angle, groove type and geometry (STEP/DXF), plus volume. We'll evaluate the window and propose parameters with samples.
