Macro- and meso-scale finite element modelling of the laser beam melting process
Modélisation macro- et meso-scopique éléments finis du procédé LBM
Résumé
The objective of this work is to develop new numerical simulation techniques in meso- and macro-scale to optimize the LBM process. The two scale models are under a level-set framework. A meso-scale simulation focuses on the laser interaction with the powder bed and subsequent melting and solidification. Thermomechanical finite element (FE) modelling is conducted at the scale of material deposition, and addresses the melting of the powder bed, the hydrodynamics of the fusion zone and the formation of local thermal stresses in the wake of the laser. A macro-scale simulation focuses on part construction. This thermomechanical finite element model addresses heat exchange and stress formation at the scale of the part by considering the non-exposed powder. In order to reach reasonable simulation time for industrial parts, the energy input and the formation of the additive deposit are simplified by considering them at the scale of an entire layer or fractions of each layer.