METALLKRAFT bevelling and edge-preparation machines are designed to produce chamfers, bevels, radiused edges, deburred edges and weld preparations on sheet metal, plates, profiles, machined parts, castings and structural components. The category includes portable machines for large or installed workpieces, guided models for straight and curved internal or external edges, stationary bench machines for compact parts and METALLKRAFT accessories such as indexable cutter heads and guides for different angles and geometries.
The machining process removes material from an edge with a rotating cutter head equipped with inserts. According to the selected tooling and adjustment, a METALLKRAFT machine can remove a sharp corner, create a flat bevel, produce a controlled radius or prepare an edge for welding. Compared with freehand grinding, mechanical edge milling provides better control of the bevel angle, width and surface regularity, reducing variation between components and limiting subsequent correction.
Portable METALLKRAFT bevellers are guided along the workpiece and are particularly suitable for heavy plates, welded structures, frames, tanks and components that are difficult to move. Their guide surfaces or support rollers stabilise the tool and maintain the cutter position relative to the edge. Machine weight, handle arrangement and visibility of the cutting area influence control, especially on vertical surfaces, curved contours and internal edges.
Stationary METALLKRAFT bench models are intended for small and medium components that can be brought to the machine. The part rests on the worktable and is guided against the cutter head while maintaining continuous contact with the reference surfaces. This arrangement provides a stable working position and facilitates repeated processing of similar parts. Very small components require suitable holding and feeding devices so that hands remain safely away from the rotating cutter.
The choice between portable and stationary equipment depends primarily on workpiece size, weight and mobility. A portable METALLKRAFT machine is generally more practical for large plates, installed structures and on-site work. A bench machine can offer better handling and repeatability for brackets, flanges, small plates, cast components, metal furniture parts and production batches. In both configurations, structural rigidity and stable guidance are essential for a consistent result.
METALLKRAFT machines intended for radiused parts and internal or external edges use guidance systems capable of following more than straight lines. Whether an internal contour can be processed depends on the minimum radius, cutter-head diameter, guide dimensions and clearance required by the machine body. It is not enough for the cutting edge to reach the corner: the guide must also remain correctly supported throughout the curve. The workpiece’s minimum internal radius must therefore be compared with the machine’s geometric capability.
Before machining, the workpiece must be clean, stable and securely fixed. Heavy paint, mill scale, thermal-cutting slag and irregularities can disturb the guide and cause changes in bevel width. When possible, these deposits should be removed before the finishing pass. Clamps must remain outside the travel path. Thin sheet should be supported close to the machining area to prevent vibration and deflection.
Cutting depth is set before starting, and the installation of the METALLKRAFT cutter head and inserts must be checked. The machine is placed on its guide with the cutter clear of the material, brought to operating speed and then advanced smoothly along the edge. Feed direction must comply with the METALLKRAFT instructions for the cutter’s direction of rotation. Incorrect feeding can reduce control or cause the machine to pull suddenly into the workpiece.
Wide bevels should normally be produced through several lighter passes. Progressive cutting reduces tool load, vibration and insert damage while improving surface quality. The first pass establishes a regular reference surface, and subsequent passes bring the bevel to its final dimensions. Feed rate, applied pressure and guide contact should remain consistent, as stopping in one position can produce local depressions.
The cutter head must correspond to the required bevel angle or edge radius. Dedicated heads can produce specific weld-preparation angles, while radius tools create a rounded transition instead of a flat surface. METALLKRAFT cutter heads, guides and inserts must be used as a compatible system. A guide designed for one geometry should not be combined with different tooling unless this is expressly approved by the manufacturer.
Bevel size can be specified as the visible width on the plate surface, the length of the inclined face or the vertical depth of material removed. These dimensions are not equivalent and vary with the angle. The operator must therefore understand which dimension is specified in the drawing or welding procedure. Bevel angle and effective size should be verified with a bevel gauge, template, calliper or suitable measuring instrument.
When preparing weld edges, the geometry must comply with the drawing, applicable welding specification or Welding Procedure Specification. Groove angle, root face, root opening and alignment affect arc access, penetration, filler-metal volume and final weld quality. An insufficient bevel can obstruct root fusion, whereas an excessive groove increases welding time, filler consumption, heat input and distortion.
METALLKRAFT machines can produce single-sided preparations for V joints and, where workpiece geometry permits, can process both faces for double-sided preparations such as X configurations. The machine does not determine the joint design. That decision must be made by the welding specialist according to material, thickness, access and welding process. After bevelling, chips, oil and contaminants must be removed from the joint surfaces.
Edge radiusing has a different purpose from weld bevelling. A controlled radius removes hazardous sharp edges and helps paints, powder coatings and corrosion-protection systems achieve more uniform coverage. Coatings tend to become thinner over sharp corners, so radiusing is valuable on exposed structures, machinery, enclosures, furniture, panels and household products.
Deburring removes projections left by laser, plasma and flame cutting, punching, shearing, sawing or machining. METALLKRAFT bevellers can finish the resulting edges but do not themselves punch, drill, shear, slot or notch the material. The profile or opening must first be created with the appropriate process, after which the edge can be machined to the required safety, assembly or welding condition.
Insert selection depends on the material. Structural steel, stainless steel, aluminium, cast iron and non-ferrous alloys require different cutting geometries, carbide grades and operating conditions. An unsuitable insert can produce chatter, built-up edge, poor finish or premature wear. Stainless steel requires control of heat and work hardening, aluminium needs a geometry that limits material adhesion, and cast iron requires consideration of abrasiveness and fine dust.
METALLKRAFT indexable inserts provide several usable cutting edges. Inserts should be indexed or replaced in a balanced manner when uneven wear affects the cutter head and surface quality. Seats must be thoroughly cleaned and screws tightened to the specified torque. Chipped inserts, damaged screws or contaminated seats can cause vibration and create a risk of tool failure.
Surface quality depends on workpiece rigidity, cutter-head concentricity, insert condition, guide stability and a uniform feed. Chatter or scoring can indicate worn inserts, excessive depth of cut, inadequate clamping, interrupted support or unsuitable feed. Applying more force does not correct these faults and may worsen the result. The operation should be stopped so that the actual cause can be identified.
Compared with thermal edge preparation, mechanical milling normally avoids a significant heat-affected zone and produces a more regular geometry. Compared with manual grinding, it provides better repeatability and dimensional control. A grinder remains useful for local blending, but it should not be relied upon to correct a substantially inaccurate bevel because maintaining a constant angle over the complete edge is difficult.
Purchasing criteria include maximum bevel width and depth, available angles, internal and external edge capability, minimum accessible radius, rotational speed, power, adjustment system, machine weight and ergonomics. Guide quality, bench stability, available METALLKRAFT cutter heads, insert availability and cost, material compatibility and chip-control arrangements also influence operating efficiency.
For repeat production, an approved sample should be prepared and the cutter head, inserts, angle, adjustment and number of passes recorded. The machine must remain fully supported as it enters and leaves the edge to prevent tapering at the ends. Closed profiles and small parts should be checked to ensure that the guide remains supported throughout the complete path. Otherwise, another machine configuration or holding method is required.
Routine maintenance includes cleaning the cutter head, insert seats, guides and ventilation openings and checking the power cable, switches, bearings and adjustment mechanisms. Metal chips must not be removed with bare hands or blown towards the operator with compressed air. Damaged METALLKRAFT cutter heads, guides and guards must be replaced with compatible components. Indexable inserts should not be improvisedly resharpened when the manufacturer specifies indexing and replacement.
Eye or face protection, hearing protection and close-fitting clothing are required. Hands must remain away from the rotating head, and gloves that could become entangled must not be worn near the cutter. Chips should be directed away from people, delicate surfaces and combustible materials. Adjustment, cleaning and insert replacement must only be performed after disconnecting the machine and waiting for the cutter to stop completely.
METALLKRAFT bevelling machines are used in metal fabrication, mechanical workshops, foundries, shipyards, tank and vessel construction, plant engineering, structural steelwork, industrial maintenance, railway and automotive production, electrical-enclosure manufacture, metal furniture and household-accessory production. Their flexibility supports one-off components, repairs, prototypes and repeated production with more controllable quality than freehand preparation.
Tadaah’s technical service supports the selection of a METALLKRAFT bevelling machine by evaluating edge geometry, material, workpiece dimensions, joint preparation, working position, production volume and required tooling. This ensures that cutter head, guide, angle range and removal capacity are genuinely compatible with the professional application.
