Numerical analysis of computational models for induction heat treatment of complex geometrical parts

International audienceLarge scale industrial induction heating models require economical and robust computational methods. There is an increasing demand for efficient models for use in optimisation procedures, where a large number of parameter combinations must be solved. The goal of this work is to demonstrate that the multiphysics model of induction heating can efficiently be described by a weak coupling of the eddy current model with heat transfer and material evolution to derive a numerical model that is both robust and scalable. The solution of the electromagnetic problem is accelerated by using an auxiliary multigrid method. It will be demonstrated that the numerical convergence is mostly unaffected by discontinuities of the magnetic permeability, which can, for instance, be found at material boundary interfaces. A crankshaft will be used as an example for the broad class of problems that can be described by this induction heating model