Beveling

Beveling is the process of creating or finishing an edge that is not perpendicular to the face it is cut from. The resulting edge is inclined, forming a bevel angle relative to one or more adjacent surfaces. Bevels are used to remove sharp edges, improve fit between parts, reduce stress concentrations, and provide a surface suitable for welding, sealing, or finishing.

In manufacturing and fabrication, beveling is performed on metals, plastics, wood, glass, and stone. Common tools include bevel cutters, chamfer bits, angle grinders, routers, and manual planes. The angle and width of the bevel are specified in engineering drawings as bevel angle and bevel width or bevel depth.

Beveling vs chamfering: A bevel is any edge formed at an angle other than 90 degrees to the adjacent face; a chamfer is often defined as a bevel at a 45-degree angle with the original edge flattened. In practice, the terms can be used differently in industry, but the distinction is that chamfers typically join two perpendicular faces with a flat, square-cut edge, whereas bevels may be on non-right-angle joints or for aesthetic purposes.

Applications include preparation for welding (to form a weld bead at the joint), edge finishing for decorative or tactile purposes, and easing edges on glass or metal to prevent chipping. In woodworking, bevel cuts are made with a saw or router to produce miter joints or decorative edges. In geometry and 3D modeling, a bevel is a modification that introduces a slanted surface between two faces.

Bevels are documented by specifying the bevel angle and the width or depth; finishing often involves deburring and sanding to remove burrs and ensure a smooth edge.