Bevel and Chamfer: What’s the Difference?
Monday, May 11, 2015
Guilloché
lathe. A urethane spindle liner. Ornamental turning. The Servo Auto Champ. There are some perplexing names
for the pieces of equipment we use and their processes in this industry. But
sometimes, nothing can leave you scratching your head more than the definition
of a word. Such is the case with bevel and
chamfer. While oftentimes these two
words can be used interchangeably, their definitions do vary. But why should
these varying definitions matter to the machining industry? Well, having a
workload beveled versus chamfered
can mean all the difference,
depending on what you’re working with.
According to the authority in all
things relating to words, Merriam-Webster, the definition of bevel is: (noun) a
slanted surface or edge on a piece of wood, glass, etc.; a tool that is used to
make a slanted surface or edge on a piece of wood, glass, etc. Merriam-Webster lists the definition of chamfer as: (noun) a
beveled edge. See what we mean by things can get a bit confusing? Of course,
each of these terms can also be verbs and adjectives, but switching what part
of speech the term is may not necessarily end the confusion for everyone in the
machining industry as well as those outside the industry. [But, for those of
you who must know, Merriam-Webster lists the definition of bevel under a verb as: to cut or
shape (a surface or edge) at an angle or slant; and it lists chamfer under a verb as: to cut a furrow in (as a column).]
So,
if a chamfer is a bevel, how do you determine which process is which? As our
team here at JF Berns Company has been in the business for over 30 years, we
can tell you the insider info: typically, the two terms are
actually interchangeable. However, Merriam-Webster is just one source on words,
and as there are countless others, they will each list a different definition
of these two edges.
How
can you tell the differences between these two edges when you come across a
work piece than has been chamfered or beveled? Some machinists say there is one
particular way to tell these two apart: the degree of the angle that is formed
by the process. How and what you are cutting doesn’t necessarily matter; but
the final form and its angle does. If that final form has an edge
that is at a 45-degree angle, then it is a chamfered edge. As another known
definition of chamfering is cutting grooves of
varying shapes, it makes sense that a chamfered edge would be considered a
“transitional edge.” But if it is an edge that isn’t
perpendicular, doesn’t come to a sharp point, and isn’t at 45 degrees, then it
is a beveled edge. As the verb definition of bevel from Merriam-Webster says the surface or edge will be “at an
angle or slant,” this tends to make perfect sense. But again, there are
multiple resources on words and each has their own respective definitions, so
each dictionary you reference may give you a different answer.
Words
and being in the machining industry can only get you so far when you want to
distinguish between these two not-so-distinguishable phrases. But, to break it
down into much simpler terms, a bevel is an edge that is sloped and a chamfer
is an edge that is a beveled edge that connects two surfaces. In that case, the
term bevel has been used as an
adjective. (Like we said, switching what part of speech each word is can just
make it trickier!) Plus, we’ve included this handy illustration (below) to help you out
even further. Because we know some people are visual learners. The beveled edge
is on top and the chamfered edge is on bottom.
A beveled edge (top) versus a chamfered edge (bottom). (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
While
you may still have some questions about other phrases and terms commonly used
in the machining industry, the difference between bevel and chamfer has
finally been cleared up. Well, technically, as matter-of-speaking there isn’t a
difference because the two can be used interchangeably. But, depending on what
resources you use, where you are, and what you’re working with, knowing the
difference will help when someone requests a chamfered flute or a beveled
mirror. But don’t even get us started on fillets. Those are a completely different story.
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