Can Laser Cutting Do Beveling? A Complete Guide to Plate and Tube Bevel Cutting

Beveling Enters the Laser Age

Beveling—cutting metal edges at an angle for welding prep—has long been handled by plasma, milling, or grinding. Today, advanced laser systems can take over this process, delivering faster, cleaner, and more consistent bevels.

But did you know laser beveling is not the same for plates and tubes?

In this blog, we’ll explain:

• What beveling is and why it matters
• The difference between plate and tube bevel cutting
• Common bevel types and their purposes
• Advantages of laser beveling
• Bodor machines that support bevel cutting

What Is Beveling?

Beveling refers to cutting an edge at an angle (usually 30°–45°) to prepare a part for welding. It:

Improves weld strength and penetration

Reduces the risk of slag, poor fusion, or misalignment

Is essential in industries like pressure vessels, steel structures, and shipbuilding

Plate vs Tube Bevel Cutting: What’s the Difference?

Plate Bevel Cutting with Lasers

✅ Key Benefits:

1. ±45° angle support with rotary laser head
2. One-pass cutting without repositioning
3. Superior precision and repeatability

Applications:

1. Pressure vessel fabrication
2. Steel structures and heavy machinery
3. Bridge components and rail systems

Tube Bevel Cutting with Lasers

✅ Key Benefits:

1. Supports straight or complex bevels on circular and square tubes
2. Automatically adapts to angled or curved surfaces
3. High consistency for saddle cuts, slanted joints, or fish-mouth shapes

Applications:

1. Construction piping
2. Shipbuilding and chassis structures
3. Prefabricated pipe modules and robotic welding

Common Bevel Types

Limitations of Traditional Beveling

Before laser beveling, companies relied on:

• Plasma bevel machines
• Manual grinders
• CNC milling or edge trimming machines

These methods have significant downsides:

❌ Low precision and angle consistency

❌ Multi-step processing and material repositioning

❌ High labor intensity and safety concerns

❌ Difficult to automate, large footprint on shop floor

Why Choose Laser Bevel Cutting?

Modern laser cutting systems equipped with beveling capabilities offer a smarter solution:

One-Step, Multi-Angle Cutting

With advanced bevel heads (±45° rotation), laser machines can cut bevels directly without flipping or re-fixturing the sheet.

High Precision and Consistency

Laser beams offer a narrow kerf and precise energy control, enabling accurate bevel angles.

Seamless Welding Prep

Laser-cut bevels produce clean edges, eliminating the need for secondary grinding or edge cleaning before welding.

Which Machines Support Bevel Cutting?

When Should You Consider Laser Bevel Cutting?

• You require complex bevel angles or batch production
• You aim to automate welding prep or upgrade from manual methods
• You want to reduce workforce dependency and error rates

Final Thoughts

Beveling is no longer a bottleneck in metal processing. With modern laser bevel cutting technology, manufacturers can eliminate secondary processes, improve welding efficiency, and achieve greater consistency—all in a single machine.

If you’re still relying on grinding or plasma beveling, maybe it’s time to switch.

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