For the simulation of laser beam welding a method has been developed at the iwb in which the welding process and the properties of the resulting product can be investigated. So far, only ideal components - not subjected to any previous loads - have been considered. In reality, however, the components are usually transformed in a previous step in which a specific stress distribution is engendered. The iwb is therefore looking closely at coupling the forming simulation with the simulation of laser beam welding. For that purpose, a suitable model is used to transfer information about stress, strain and displacements. It is thus possible to consider the previous history of the components, which considerably influences the result of the entire process.
In this paper a method of coupling the results of the forming simulation with the simulation of laser beam welding is presented, based on the Finite-Element-Method and including details of the first results.