The software tool for process planning of laser beam welding CALAS is presented. Its structure, handling and simulation capabilities are described in detail. Furthermore a connection to a commercial laser database and the integration into the overall laser processing strategy is shown for laser beam welding.
The software tool connects a physical process model with an interactive man-machine interface by simulation and visualization. It shows on-line the effect of the process parameters on the geometry of the weld seam. It also provides a 3-dimensional visualization of the keyhole and the melt pool. Besides typical parameters also the beam characteristics and material properties like surface tension and heat transfer capability are included in the calculation.
By using CALAS process planning will become much more efficient and the materials processing results show better quality because of the prediction of the seam geometry.