A numerical approach to modeling keyhole laser welding.

A numerical study of the laser welding process is presented. The numerical model is based on a combination of the enthalpy method and the finite difference techniques applied to the heat equation that can bypass the manual enforcement of the jump condition at the phase-separating surfaces. Minimal application of the 'life and death of elements techniques' is required in order for the dynamics of the keyhole to be captured. This analysis results in the construction of the flowchart of a time-stepping algorithm, suitable for any software platform or computer language. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]