ABSTRACT
Some of the techniques used in the simpler mathematical models that have been found to be of use in laser welding will be introduced in this chapter. In particular, it will be shown how the point and line source solutions introduced in Chapter 2 and associated with the name of Rosenthal can be used to obtain simple descriptions of the temperature in a workpiece. From these, more elaborate models can be developed to obtain insight before more complicated models need to be constructed. We shall then look at some more advanced but useful analytical models of the solid and liquid phases, and consider features of the dynamics of the keyhole.
