Modeling and Simulation Approaches for the Production of Functional Parts in Micro Scale

Abstract

In this paper, simulation approaches for the partial melting of metallic workpieces in micro scale are presented. The underlying model considers heat transport in the whole workpiece, the solid-liquid phase transition assuming a sharp interface and the fluid flow in the liquid part including surface tension effects. Depending on whether the solid-liquid interface is handled either by an interface-tracking or an interface-capturing approach, two different numerical schemes based on an ALE finite element method are presented. A crucial aspect for both methods is the geometrical evolution of the solid-liquid-gas triple junction due to the non-material movement of the solid-liquid interface. Yielding mutual advantages and disadvantages, both methods can be used in alternation in a combined approach. Numerical results are shown for melting the tip of a thin steel wire by a laser beam.