Rotary shearing – fast and quiet plate beveling technology

February 25, 2026

3 min

Rotary shearing is one of the most efficient technologies for preparing plate edges prior to welding. It uses a rotary tool that quickly and smoothly shears the material, without creating a heat-affected zone and without producing conventional chip waste.

How rotary shearing works

The principle is based on a special rotary tool that shears off a narrow strip of material while simultaneously creating the required bevel angle. Instead of fine chips as in milling, a continuous metal strip is produced, which is easy to remove. The edge is not heated or deformed, and no burrs are formed, so it is immediately ready for welding.

Main advantages

1) High speed and productivity

Beveling is typically carried out at speeds of up to 2.5 m/min and remains consistent even on long workpieces.

3) No heat input into the material

Mechanical shearing means zero heat input, no change in the material structure, and no discoloration of the edge.

2) Very low noise level

Thanks to the tool’s low rotational speed, rotary shearing is one of the quietest edge preparation technologies, improving both operator comfort and workplace hygiene.

4) Consistent quality and precise angles

The technology enables precise bevel angles (typically 30° or 45°) and ensures consistent quality along the entire length of the workpiece, without the need for additional grinding.

5) Low operating costs

Rotary tools have a long service life (often thousands of metres of bevel length), the machine requires minimal maintenance, and there are no costs for chip extraction or disposal.

Suitable materials and applications

Rotary shearing is particularly suitable for carbon and low-alloy steels, selected stainless steels, and plates up to approximately 60 mm thick (depending on the machine type). It is ideal for long straight workpieces, plates and pipes, and for preparing V- and X-type weld preps in production environments where speed and repeatability are key.