Reviews

Van der Klundert, a customer of the official Beveltools dealer Metaaltechniek, is a steel fabrication company operating in sheet metal processing and construction. They work for demanding sectors such as offshore platforms, drilling rigs, bridge construction, and transformer stations. In environments like these, coating requirements are strict, and the consequences of poor edge preparation are serious. The application Van der Klundert rounds cut edges on sheet metal, beams, and profiles, mostly to an R2 radius. They also occasionally prepare weld edges on thinner sheet metal using a 30-degree cutter. Both applications use the Bevel Mate® EBA. The R2 requirement comes from the paint specifications used in offshore and bridge construction projects. These specifications work on a scale from P1 to P3, where P3 is the strictest level. At P3, edges must be properly rounded to R2. It sounds simple, but achieving a true R2 means removing a significant amount of material. Around 1.5 mm is sometimes accepted, but that is the bare minimum. When a customer or inspector calls for R2, the edge needs to be visibly and measurably rounded.  The challenge of consistency  Previously, edge rounding was done with flap discs and grinding tools. The result was inconsistent, and the same edge often had to be processed multiple times. Often, the same edge had to be processed several times, which could create new sharp edges or unwanted transition marks. Additional finishing was sometimes required afterwards. In large projects where hundreds of meters, and sometimes even kilometers, of edges need to be processed, the time adds up quickly. With the Beveltools tools and cutters, which are replaced at the right time, the result stays consistent from the very first meter to the last. Van der Klundert pointed to this repeatability as the key advantage. Beveltools allows them meet customer and coating requirements without having to re-process or correct edges along the way. Working with harder and laser-cut steel Van der Klundert regularly works with S355 and other higher-grade steels, often in laser- or plasma-cut form. The heat during cutting can harden the cut edge, which gives additional load on the cutter. To manage this, the sharp edge is sometimes ground off with a grinding disc before using Bevel Mate®. This small preparation helps protect the cutter and ensure a cleaner result. The application of grease or wax lubrication helps extend cutter life, especially with more demanding materials and applications. Ease of use Van der Klundert shared that compared to grinding, working with Beveltools feels noticeably smoother and more controlled. The machine produces less vibration and allows for a more comfortable working posture, which matters when processing long profiles throughout a full working day. To work efficiently on longer sections, Van der Klundert positions profiles on welding tables or vertically to address multiple sides without unnecessary repositioning. Strict requirements  Standards for edge finishing in offshore, bridge construction, and defense projects are being assessed very strictly. Paint shops and contractors are increasingly required to provide long-term warranties, making proper preparation essential. Tools that provide a controlled result are a part of meeting the specification. Want to see what Beveltools solutions can do on your production floor? Request a free demo, and we'll show you what's possible.

Precision Edge Finishing ft. Arendsen Plaatwerk  Arendsen Plaatwerk is a steel plate processing company that works on a wide variety of projects, handling everything from very thin to very thick plate material. Their employees need equipment that is versatile and user-friendly, so that they can handle a variety of tasks. Rounding steel, preparing weld edges  At Arendsen, Beveltools machines are used for two main applications. The first is finishing the edges of stainless steel plates, where they previously relied on a grinding disc and sandpaper to round the edges. The result was never perfectly even, and it took a long time. By switching to Beveltools' radius cutters, followed by a light pass with an eccentric sander, the result is immediately clean and consistent. For their work, Arendsen uses the EBI INOX machine with a R2 6 mm cutter, and the EBA 3.0 machine with a 45-08 mm 3.0 steel cutter.  Ease of use  "You need to have a bit of a machining background, so you know what you should and shouldn't do," says a Beveltools operator at Arendsen. The good news is that with a short instruction video and a bit of guidance, users get up to speed quickly. That is exactly where Beveltools is helping you: step-by-step instruction videos are available on our YouTube channel and website, so anyone can get started confidently. They can be found in Beveltools' YouTube playlists, or on the Beveltools How To page. A simple step that makes a big difference  Arendsen told us about the importance of lubrication. "We have cutting oil for drilling and tapping, so we can easily use that for beveling too." This is exactly what Beveltools recommends, especially when working with stainless steel. A little cutting oil or wax noticeably extends cutter life and improves the quality of the cut. When a cutter wears out faster than expected, the cause could be simply a lack of lubrication.  This summer, Beveltools will launch their own wax that is perfect for beveling and rounding stainless steel.  Investment  When talking about return on investment, the case is clear. "If you look at how much grinding and sanding needs to happen when you don't use this machine, you easily save a few hours. And in those few hours, you've already earned back the cost of the cutter."  Clean consistent results  Arendsen Plaatwerk is a great example of a company that has found practical, time-saving applications for both the Bevel Mite® and Bevel Mate® platforms and is getting clean, consistent results because of it. Whether it's rounding stainless steel or preparing precise weld edges, Beveltools fits seamlessly into a professional sheet metal workflow. Curious to see what Beveltools can do for your operation? Request a free demo and we'll come to you. 

Safer, faster edge rounding for highway railing production Van der Zalm Metaalindustrie B.V. is a metal fabrication company involved in projects where edge quality and consistency are important. For a recent infrastructure project near the A27 motorway at Hooipolder in the Netherlands, the team was tasked with producing railing elements that had to meet strict quality standards. The project, carried out under Rijkswaterstaat requirements, called for steel edges finished according to NEN-EN 1090-3, rounding with a minimum radius of 2 mm. Requirements like these are becoming increasingly common in modern construction. Traditionally, this work was done with grinding tools. “Before this, we always did it by grinding,” the operator explains. “But with these requirements you want a clean, consistent radius on the material.” Before Van der Zalm decided to invest in Beveltools equipment, a demo was carried out on site so the team could see the process in practice. After that demonstration, the company purchased two different tools: the ABIS-R 3.0 and the EBA 3.0. To meet the required standards more efficiently, the team started using Beveltools machines to round the edges of steel strips used in the railing construction. The difference in the workflow was immediately noticeable. “With the bevel tool you can give the strips a nice radius very quickly. After that you basically don’t have to do anything anymore.” Integrated into the production process The fabrication process involves multiple steps and departments. Materials are first cut and prepared at another production site. Once the parts arrive in the workshop, operators deburr and round the edges before the components move on to assembly and welding. “We receive the parts here after cutting and drilling. Then we remove burrs and make the radius with this tool. After that the parts go to the assembler and then to the welder.” Because many of the parts involve long edges, the Beveltools EBA 3.0 machine is particularly effective compared with manual grinding. “This tool is really useful for longer lengths. Only in tight corners you might still use a grinder, but for this type of work the EBA 3.0 is much faster.” The smaller ABIS-M tool is ideal for quickly creating a radius on the edges of smaller holes. Cleaner and more comfortable to work with Besides speed and consistency, the operator also points to the difference in working conditions. Grinding typically produces a lot of fine dust, which affects both visibility and operator comfort. The cutting process used by Beveltools produces chips instead of abrasive dust. “With this tool there’s much less fine dust. You still get small chips of course, but not the grinding dust.” The ergonomics of the machine also make it easier to work with during longer jobs. “It’s light, easy to use, vibration-free and it’s easy and fast to change cutters. That makes a big difference when you’re working with it all day.” Consistent results for demanding projects For infrastructure projects where edge quality is critical, consistent results are essential. The ability to quickly create a clean radius helps ensure that each component meets the required specification. According to the operator, that reliability is one of the main advantages. “It’s simply a very easy tool to work with. You get a good result quickly.” As edge-finishing requirements continue to increase in construction and fabrication, tools that help deliver consistent quality and improve working conditions have a clear place in the production process.

This versatile construction company operates across multiple divisions, including installation, residential construction, structural construction, sheet metalworking, and recently, a new building division. Within the sheet metal department, Beveltools is used to finish materials like S235 and S355 steel. The workshop manager explains that Beveltools has been integrated into their production processes in various ways since 2016: “Due to certain project requirements, we started looking around—what’s available on the market? Through our own supplier, who is also a Beveltools dealer (Metaaltechniek), we came across Beveltools machines.” One project where Beveltools played a key role involved an offshore construction by the sea. This project required a very high-quality coating, which meant all edges had to be perfectly rounded. “This was initially done with a grinding tool, but the client wasn’t fully satisfied—the end result lacked consistency.” “We switched to Beveltools to make it easier to apply a radius. The machines and cutters offered more consistent quality—the result is basically always the same.” The manager also points out that the machines are physically much more comfortable to use: “If you want to apply an R2 radius, it doesn’t take much effort and can be done without strain.” They’ve also recently started using the TEBI table milling machine, which allows them to process much smaller workpieces. According to him, the TEBI particularly excels in consistency: “The quality is simply good. You can take off a piece in one go and it looks great right away.” On the transition from grinding tools to Beveltools, he says: “The biggest benefit of Beveltools is simply its consistency. You know that it allows you to meet client requirements far more easily than when grinding.” “When laser or plasma cutting is used, the edge becomes much harder than with sawn material. Beveltools cuts through sawn steel easily, but the manager notes that tool life depends heavily on the material and processing method: ‘With high-tensile steel, even a quality drill bit needs significant pressure, or it’ll wear down quickly. That’s how hard it gets.’” Conclusion Beveltools has helped this company with: Consistent edge rounding for demanding coating specifications Ergonomic operation without excessive physical strain More efficient processing of challenging materials As the workshop manager puts it:“The biggest benefit of Beveltools is its consistency. You know you’ll meet the requirements—and that’s what matters most to us.”

"The introduction of the Beveltools made a world of difference to our production processes. Thanks to this machine, we can now apply aesthetically pleasing radii to our edged parts. This is an effective method to meet the requirements to safely operate Cobots, while making the Cobot robots look nice." Goodspeed Steelshop is working on the production of a Cobot robot designed to place boxes on a pallet at the end of a production process. The manufactory of the Cobot robot uses laser-cut and edged parts that cannot be CNC cut in one piece. It is essential to provide these parts with a radius, which proved challenging with conventional methods. Previously, it was not possible to provide all parts of the Cobot robot with the required radius due to the complexity of the shapes. The solution had to be both aesthetically pleasing and functionally within safety standards, with specific requirements for working with stainless steel and achieving a radius of R4. The Beveltools cutters and machines were introduced to address this challenge. Beveltools made it possible to apply the required radius to laser-cut and edged sheet metal parts. Beveltools is used to machine various angles on the sheet metal parts and apply the desired radius. With follow-up machining, the parts are trimmed with a fibre disc and then finished with a eccentric rotary sander to ensure a tight finish. The final finish is a glass bead blasted for the desired aesthetic appearance. Using the Beveltools cutters provides an aesthetically pleasing finish with an accurate radius, essential for the safety and appearance of the Cobot robot. The solution saves significantly on production time and avoids the need to switch to solid cut boards, which would be more expensive and time-consuming. The machine is specifically adapted to work with stainless steel, which is a key material for the Cobot robot's production. Goodspeed Steelshop expects the Beveltools machines to be of great value in future projects as well. Work is underway to create new applications and models within the Cobot robot line, where Beveltools will play an important role in ensuring the quality and aesthetics of the products.

“Using the Bevel Mate or Mite® for beveling works beautifully, but for us, its real strength lies in creating radii on metal. The amount of time saved is huge.” MF Emmen regularly works on a challenging projects involving adding various radii of 2, 3, and 5 mm, which is essential for the client. The end products are industrial contructions that are built a way range of industries, from energy to food. MF Emmen shares some details about their methods. Applying these radii is a precise process crucial for the product's quality. Previously, these tasks were done using a grinding tool and other hand tools, a time-consuming process requiring a lot of rework. Now, however, they use the Bevel Mite and Bevel Mate. The difference is substantial: where they used to spend many hours applying curves to metal edges, Beveltools has already saved them about 40 hours on this project. This is a significant time saving, especially for large projects. More projects involving radius 2 roundings are on the horizon. For welding preparation, they use other tools such as a CNC machine and a nibbler. This has greatly accelerated the process and drastically reduced rework. However, not everyone has access to a CNC machine, and it can be a significant investment. MF Emmen works on projects involving more than ten people, where the Bevel Mate and Mite are perfect additions to their workflow. All of this shows that MF Emmen is constantly looking for ways to improve their processes and better serve their clients.

“I started looking for a system that would immediately round off the steel without the need for deburring or polishing afterwards. I soon arrived at Beveltools. The machine is light and handy, I can use it anywhere. The Beveltools R3 and R4 cutters we use have a long tool life and can be changed quickly if necessary.” Linssen Yachts from Maasbracht is a family business specialising in the manufacture of steel motor yachts with lengths of between 26 and 50 ft (8 and 15 metres). Linssen Yachts was founded in 1949 and has grown in the Netherlands to become one of the major players in this sector of yacht-building.In the meantime, the company has developed a large sales network all across Europe. The various models of yachts are designed and finished by their own specialists. By producing them in batches and using the best materials and techniques to do so, the steel yachts are of excellent quality. In yacht-building, the finishing is crucial. Peter Zentjes (Production Leader – Hulls) says: “Rounding sharp edges in the hull material is important to ensure that the coating and paint bond well and stay on for a long time. Rounded edges look better to the end user too. By rounding sharp edges with Beveltools, you get a beautiful, smooth, rounded finish.” The Beveltools system is used almost daily in the hull production hall. “Before, we used to weld a tube on the top edge to create the rounding. Then we had to deburr the material from irregularities. This was time-consuming work. I went on the lookout for a system that would create the rounding in the steel without needing deburring and polishing afterwards. I quickly came across Beveltools,” says Peter. The EBA-12 in combination with the Premium bevel head is the perfect solution for Linssen Yachts. “The machine is lightweight and handy. I can use it anywhere. The Beveltools R3 and R4 bevel heads we use have a long service life but are easy to replace when necessary. For us, Beveltools is the ideal method to achieve quick and consistent rounding,” says Peter.

“The machine with change plates was blunt after only 2-3 uses, so this didn’t work for us. We work a lot with hard materials and laser-cut steel. The Bevel Mate® EBA-12 is really ideal for rounding the holes in workpieces due to the high tool life achieved and the great ease of use.” At Jos van den Bersselaar Constructie B.V. in Udenhout, quality has always been paramount and ultimately it became a specialism: not supplying steel, but solutions. The company specializes in high-performance, lightweight structures made of steel aluminum and stainless steel. Lots of holes have to be rounded in these structures. This rounding should have a constant radius of at least 2 mm, because the workpieces are galvanized and coated. In the past this regularly resulted in major challenges. It cost the company a lot of time and effort to supply the expected high quality using a machine with inserts. After watching a demonstration of the Bevel Mate® EBA-12, they were immediately enthusiastic and a second machine was purchased within six months. This was the perfect solution to their issue. Maarten van de Wouw, CWL: “The machine with inserts would already be blunt after using it 2 to 3 times, so that did not work for us. We work a lot with hard materials and laser-cut steel. The Bevel Mate® EBA-12 is truly ideal for rounding the holes in workpieces because of the long service life and its high level of user-friendliness. We are very happy that we can now supply our high quality to our customers without issues.”

“We are very pleased with the speed at which we now complete. With the Beveltools milling machines we immediately make a nice radius in one movement. The rounding off work is done quickly and that saves me a lot of labor hours. The milling machines are compact and light in use, milling takes little strength.” GS Parts from Groningen, The Netherlands, manufactures various steel parts in its own production location for building inland waterway and seagoing vessels. The ships are manufactured completely under own management, from design to the entire shipbuild in the shipyard. GS Parts uses Beveltools radius heads for rounding sharp edges and small openings. “We are very pleased with the high speed with which we can make a rounded edge. By using the Beveltools cutters, you create a smooth radius instantly and in one pass. Rounding is completed quickly and that saves me many working hours”, says Erwin Klein, construction foreman at GS Parts. The company started using Beveltools in 2015 and the beveling machines are still always kept within reach in the workplace. In addition to the high speed, GS Parts also mentions the benefits of the handy machines. Erwin explains: “the beveling tools are ergonomic and lightweight, milling costs little physical effort. In the past we also tried machines with carbide inserts. Machining was much heavier, the inserts often broke and the machines broke down quickly. After that, we started using Beveltools and we really experience the benefits of this quick, fast beveling concept.”