Framework for progressive adaption of FE mesh to simulate generative manufacturing processes

Many conventional Finite Element (FE) simulations are based on predefined numerical domains. This creates challenges with the nature of dynamic manufacturing processes, where components are gradually produced in time. Although, conventional element (de-)activation technique is hesitantly used to simulate such processes, functionality of the proposed framework herein allows to append new elements to the existing elements. The aim of the framework is to reproduce the progress of the real process within a dynamically growing numerical domain. The dynamic mesh generation and its implementation are briefly presented and a simulation of a mesh build up for a WAAM process is shown. (C) 2020 Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME). Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.