Brake beam is one of the important components working in railway vehicles braking process, which directly affects the security and stability of the high-speed running railway vehicles. Through the research of the cutting and welding technology for the 209T straight plate type brake beam, this paper presents an advanced maintenance method, and designs an automatic cutting and welding machine for the brake beam-axle, then studies the basic structure and working principle for the machine in detail. The automatic cutting and welding machine has been operating properly since been used in the maintenance workshop. What is more, the maintenance of each brake beam only spends about 15 minutes, so this advanced maintenance method can improve the efficiency of the maintenance appropriately, and ensure the reliability of maintenance quality.