Let us return to the question of the bevel, which will reduce the thickness of the tube in order to allow welding. Generally speaking, a tube with a wall thickness of more than 3 mm cannot be welded with only one layer in TIG welding.
TIG welding is a Tungsten Inert Gas process: Tungsten designs the electrode and Inert Gas the plasmagenic gas used for shielding.
In order to weld thicker pipe, a bevel must be carried out at one edge of the tube to be welded to another pipe / bend / reduction / connections (T,Y), which also have to be bevelled.
The bevelling systems often are of “manual” type.
The other technical way of bevelling is called “bevel for orbital welding” and this one is different compared to the J or tulip bevel.
On the other hand if you choose a “V”-bevel, you will plane the two pieces to be welded in this form. In this shaved groove in V-form the welder looks for a welding penetration. In order to do so he creates a weld puddle on the inner part of this “V” in order to fill the material that has been removed.
The “V” bevel is used for manual welding. Whereas, the orbital welding processes more commonly use the “J” bevel preparation.
In order to make a “V” or a “J” bevel you can find different shapes of tool bit with a “V” or “J” shape.
Making a “J” bevel for manual welding is of no interest, as the angle is too large for a manual procedure. The choice of the bevel essentially depends on the welding process.
An orbital bevelling machine has certain advantages:
The orbital bevelling technology allows you to choose between two beveling preparations which have been successful.
The orbital bevelling is part of the global process: from orbital cutting to final welding. Interested? Here you can download our handbook on orbital TIG welding free of charge!