What is the purpose of a chamfer on a workpiece?

The purpose of a chamfer on a workpiece primarily revolves around removing sharp edges and helping eliminate burrs. By creating a beveled edge at an angle, a chamfer effectively reduces the risk of injury from sharp corners and also minimizes wear and tear on tools and fixtures during processing and handling. Furthermore, the smooth transition provided by a chamfer can facilitate assembly processes, as parts with chamfered edges are generally easier to fit together.

While creating a decorative edge, adding strength, or increasing overall dimensions can also be considerations in different contexts, the primary function of a chamfer is safety and practical functionality by ensuring that edges are not sharp and are more manageable.