Modelling of Resonant Droplet Detachment in Laser Metal Droplet Generation

AbstractIn laser generation of droplets from a metal wire, it has been observed experimentally that droplet detachment can be influenced by interaction of the laser pulse frequency and eigen dynamics of a pendent droplet. In laser pulse frequency range between 70Hz and 150Hz, the dynamics of the pendent droplet resembles that of a spring-mass system. Based on experimental observations a nonlinear model of droplet generation in the form of spring-mass oscillator is developed. Model based simulation of pendent droplet dynamics, and especially predicted time of droplet detachment and detached droplet diameter are in high agreement with experimental results