Info sheet: Heat source

Simufact.welding uses heat sources that have been

tested and approved for over 30 years. These heat
sources are mathematical descriptions of the
introduced energy distribution inside of the melt pool.
The aim of the heat source concept is to model the
isothermal surface of the real melt pool and the heat
flow through this isothermal surface close to reality.
Effects of the melt pool flow are considered indirectly.

1. Conventional

The geometric parameters of the heat source can be

taken from a micrograph.

2. Laser
Simufact.welding
sources:

supports

two

predefined

heat

1. Conventional: For gas welding, manual arc welding,

MSG, WSG and UP welding (normally distributed
double-ellipsoid volume source introduced by
Goldak, 1984)
2. Laser: For laser and electron beam welding
(normally distributed area heat source combined with
a constant cylindric heat source)

Info sheet: Heat source

The corresponding heat source parameters in the
trajectory dialog. They can be stored in a database for
later use.

The width (b) and the depth (d) can be identified from
a micrograph. All other values can be estimated by
the following rule:
Front length af : 0.6 * b
Rear length ar : 2-2,5 * b

The stored settings will be shown automatically in the

listing and can be used in other models.

1. Definition Conventional

If a construction plan is the

basis for a first estimation, then
the geometrical parameters can
be estimated using the design
throat a:
Depth d = a + 2-5 mm (including a penetration
depth for an acceptable root)
Width b = a + 1-2 mm
Front length af = (a + 1,5 mm)*0.6
Rear length ar = 2.2*(a + 1,5 mm)

The width (b) of the heat source model means half the
width of the real weld pool.

Info sheet: Heat source

2. Definition Laser

The surface depth of the surface heat source defines

the search depth to detect the surface where the
energy should be introduced.
A first pre-check of the heat source can be done in
the three-dimensional model view.

The heat source can be visualized by choosing an

appropriate view in the model window and activating
the display of edges and transparency:

For a laser heat source, the energy input is divided

into a surface and a volumetric heat source. The
energy fraction for the cylindric heat source
describes the energy fraction that will be introduced
through the cylinder, the remaining energy will be
introduced via the surface heat source.
The energy fraction of the cylinder is
typically between 0.7 and 0.9. The bigger
the cup form of the melt pool, the higher is
the energy fraction for the heat source
(energy fraction-cylinder 0.7).

Use only thermal solution to save time and memory

for the calibration.

Info sheet: Heat source

It is not necessary to simulate the entire weld seam
for the calibration. The simulation can be stopped as
soon as the temperature distribution is inappropriate
or has reached a stationary state.
The modeled dimensions of the molten zone can be
visualized by the weld monitor.

The aim of the heat source calibration is to model the

isothermal surface of the real melt pool and the heat
flow through this isothermal surface.
The weld monitor can display two-dimensional cross
sections with the dimensions of the weld pool along
the whole weld path. The position of the cross
section can be displayed in the three-dimensional
view. Using a scroll bar the user can check all cross
sections along the weld path.
Additionally, a user can compare the dimensions of
the heat affected zone with the dimensions of the
isothermal lines of the transformation temperatures
A1 and A3.