FEM Simulation of Gas and Plasma Cutting with Emphasis on Precision of Cutting(Mechanics, Strength & Structural Design)

A computational method for simulating the cutting process, based on the thermal-elastic-plastic FEM has been developed. The proposed method is verified by comparing the computations with experimental results obtained for plasma cutting. Using the FEM model, the residual plastic strain and the plate motion due to the transient thermal expansion are obtained respectively. Their effects are quantitatively discussed. The results show that these factors have great influences on the one-side cutting and small effects on the two-side simultaneous cutting. The influences of the residual stress existing in the plate before cutting are also investigated.