A study on the different finite element approaches for laser cutting of aluminum alloy sheet

The effectiveness of finite element simulation techniques for laser cutting of 1.2-mm-thick aluminium sheets has been studied. Lagrangian and Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian techniques were used to model and simulate laser cutting process. The reliability of finite element results were evaluated by general energy balance analysis and experimental results. Temperature and stress distribution along with heat-affected zone were predicted during the laser-induced process in line with experimental conditions under ABAQUS finite element code. Heat transfer analysis relying on thermal loading was employed to reach the best efficiency. By using field-emission scanning electron microscope, morphological, structural, and elemental changes in the cutting sections were analyzed along with the X-ray diffraction technique. Obtained stress and heat-affected zone are highly dependent on the element type as well as numerical method. Both numerical method, ALE and Lagrangian, are compared to each other in terms of power absorption, cut surface morphology, and cutting efficiency. The results show that ALE method is in good agreement with experimental data. A study on the different finite element approaches for laser cutting of aluminum alloy sheet. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/317579195_A_study_on_the_different_finite_element_approaches_for_laser_cutting_of_aluminum_alloy_sheet [accessed Jul 3, 2017].