At the recent Blechexpo fair in Stuttgart, Trumpf unveiled its new ‘EdgeLine Bevel’ solution which automatically prepares parts for welding during the cutting process. Compatible with standard Trumpf laser-cutting machines, this technology allows users to create bevelled edges while cutting out the contours of each part.

Liquid metal flows into these bevels during welding to ensure a high-quality weld seam. On today's shopfloors, fabricators typically perform bevelling prior to welding using a milling machine, grinding machine or angle grinder — an additional step that can be both cumbersome and time-consuming.

Currently, the only way to create bevels automatically is to use technologically advanced machines with specialist 3-D cutting heads. However, these are seldom available on manufacturing lines, especially those operated by smaller fabricators.

EdgeLine Bevel is a unique solution that allows users to bevel part edges automatically on much simpler, standard types of laser-cutting machines. The technology can also be used to create bevels on a part’s inner contours, which are impossible for manual angle grinders to access.

Trumpf product manager Patrick Schüle said: “This is a truly unique way of eliminating downstream processes in the sheet-metal fabrication environment. It boosts the efficiency of customers’ production lines and confirms the status of Trumpf as a solution provider for the entire sheet-metal process chain.”

As well as bevelling, EdgeLine Bevel can also automatically make the countersinks required to screw parts together, thereby eliminating yet another downstream process. The technology is suitable for all companies in the sheet-metal fabrication sector that use joining processes on the shopfloor or require countersinks for screw connections.

Mr Schüle said: “Thanks to the quick and easy programming, this solution also makes sense for companies that only occasionally fabricate parts with bevels and countersinks.”

Blechexpo saw the launch of the new technology for the standard versions of its TruLaser Series 3000 fiber and TruLaser Series 5000 fiber machines. From Spring 2022, existing owners of new-generation Trumpf laser-cutting machines will also be able to retrofit EdgeLine Bevel technology.