Beveling of cut pipe sections has always been an important part of the welding process, but before the invention and evolution of pipe beveling devices, beveling was more of an art form than a science. Skilled steelworkers through the ages have been able to use combinations of torch work, hand grinding, and other artisan methods to produce a visibly fine bevel, and today’s steelworkers are no different.
However, even the most skilled steelworker can’t keep up with today’s production needs. Automated pipe beveling equipment allows for higher production volumes and assures greater precision and reliability. They also improve worker safety—a welcome evolution from early industrial practices.
Patents Pave the Way for Improvements
Patents for new pipe beveling machines and improvements on existing machines have been issued for decades. The US Patent Office lists 38 patents just since 1976 under the term “pipe beveling,” and there are likely many other patents that apply to these machines without mentioning them by name.
The patented improvements can be lumped into several areas:
Efficiency – Efficiency improvements include changes in machine design to cut down set-up times, newer generations of cutting and grinding materials to improve performance and speed, and scale-up of machines that can handle higher precision with larger job sizes and lower downtime for maintenance.
Precision – Improved cutting/milling materials and head designs, along with better clamping mechanisms and CNC-controlled positioning systems, has dramatically increased the precision and repeatability of automated beveling systems over the years. That’s true for both portable and stationary bevelers.
Safety – Guards, safety shutoffs, and superior clamping mechanisms have all made today’s bevelers far safer than previous models. Meanwhile, newer alloys, heat-sensitive materials, and potentially dangerous working conditions have forced manufacturers to develop beveling methods without excessive heat generation or sparking. Many manufacturers have met that challenge.
All of these improvements lead to better performance at lower cost—and isn’t that what we all want when purchasing industrial machinery?
While there is no universal automated beveler that can do every possible job to high precision, today’s pipe beveling machines combine the best of all these improvement categories. Manufacturers have tailored these improvements into product lines that handle specific ranges of jobs, giving consumers the choice of a wide range of quality beveling products.
GERIMA Bevelers: The Products of Evolutionary Improvements
Saar-Hartmetall is proud to offer the fine GERIMA line of pipe beveling machines that represent the product of years of evolution in the field. The MMS line of portable pipe bevelers features clamping mechanisms on the outside of the pipe (MMP-S) or the pipe wall (MMP-L). Both mechanisms keep the milling heads firmly in place to provide accurate bevels and safe operation whether you’re working in your shop or out in the field in less-than-ideal conditions.
The stationary MMP 170 model is targeted more for pipe fabricators that require speed and precision for larger runs of pipe with diameters up to 12.6 inches, and the LGP stationary series is designed to handle the tough jobs with the largest pipes and vessels—diameters between 1 and 6.5 feet and up to 4 inches in wall thickness.
For more details, check the specific website pages for each model or contact Saar-Hartmetall today at (859) 331-8770 or by e-mail at contact@saarusa.com. We would be happy to show you how the evolution of pipe beveling machines have led to today’s fine array of tools and discuss the relative advantages of the various models for your application.
Meta title: Evolution of Pipe Beveling Machines: Better Performance, Lower Cost
Meta description: Pipe beveling machines have evolved over the years to improve efficiency, precision, and safety. They provide better performance with lower cost.