Three Dimensional Finite Element Simulation of Thermal Glass Cutting

A novel method of glass sheet thermal cutting using an impinging hot air jet has recently been improved. In this method an existing crack is made to follow the moving heat source behind it. Complex profiles can be cut with a great cut surface by this method. In this paper a three dimensional finite element simulation of glass thermal cutting is established. Sequentially coupled thermal and structural analysis is conducted. Thermal stress field is obtained from the inhomogeneous temperature distribution due to the relative motion of nozzle and glass sheet. Under cutting condition, the stress intensity factor at the crack tip exceeds the fracture toughness of glass sheet. Achieved crack tip profile is almost an oblique line with respect to sheet surface. The variation of the distance between the crack tip and nozzle axis with the air jet temperature and heat source velocity is investigated.

کلیدواژه ها:

Glass Cutting ، Thermal Cutting ، Hot Air Jet