Chamfered

A chamfered edge is an edge that has been cut away to form a chamfer, a flat surface that connects two faces at a defined angle. In engineering and manufacturing, a chamfer is created by removing material along a line, typically at 45 degrees to the adjacent faces. Chamfers are used to remove sharp corners, facilitate handling and assembly, and reduce stress concentration and burr formation. They are distinct from fillets, which round corners, and from bevels, which are more generally any angled edge rather than a defined, specified edge.

Chamfer types are described by the geometry of the cut. Common forms include equal chamfers, where the same distance is cut from both adjoining faces, and chamfers specified by a length and an angle, such as 2 mm x 45°. In technical drawings and manufacturing notes, chamfers are specified with both a distance and an angle (for example, “CHAMFER 2 mm x 45°”). While 45° is a widely used default, other angles such as 30° or 60° are employed depending on function and standards. Chamfers may be applied on metal, plastic, or wood parts and are often used at edges that interface with other parts or where deburring is required.

Manufacturing methods for chamfers include milling, countersinking, routing, and deburring tools, as well as hand deburring or filing. In woodworking, chamfer bits on routers or planes produce the same edge treatment. The choice of chamfer size and angle affects fit, clearance, aesthetics, and the part’s susceptibility to chipping or wear, making specification important in design and production.