One of our most powerful codes is now available for industry use

WHAT IS ALE3D4I

ALE3D4i is not currently available.

We can distribute ALE3D and the attendant training material to DoD and DOE laboratories and their contractors with individual Use Agreements. Sharing of executables between individuals is not allowed.  The individual may install the software on more than one company owned and properly managed system if needed. 

Each and every individual must provide an application to get their individual license.  DoE and DoD Contractors (not employees) must also provide one of the following forms to verify and ensure that code use falls under the guidance of the DOE/DoD MOU, in that use of the code and attendant material are directly related to national security and only used for those specific MOU terms.

  • An active Militarily Critical Data form (DD-2345)

OR

  • Proof of an active ITAR registration

Offsite users must also be able to protect the code, which is both Export Controlled and for Official Use Only. ALE3D can only be accessed by US citizens. The computer systems that ALE3D are on cannot have root access by Foreign Nationals. The code must be installed with group permissions set so only authorized personnel (those with valid use agreements) can access the code.

If you feel you fall into these categories, please email ale3d-help [at] llnl.gov (ale3d-help[at]llnl[dot]gov) and we will send you an application.

Simulation of laser powder bed melting showing melt pool instabilities and spatter that can degrade build quality.

HOW ALE3D4I WORKS

The ALE3D4I code is unique because it allows a user to not only switch between the Lagrangian and Eulerian techniques but also combine the two so that the mesh “relaxes” at the leading edge of the object. The amount of relaxation is determined by the user, who can “weight” the simulation so that more zones are forced into a specific area of interest, for greater accuracy at that spot. Supporting mesh relaxation broadens the scope of applications in comparison to codes that are restricted to Lagrangian- or Eulerian-only approaches. For some applications, ALE3D4I can deliver accuracy similar to that of other simulation techniques but with as few as one-tenth the number of mesh elements.

Beyond its foundation as a hydrodynamics and structural code, ALE3D4I has multi-physics capabilities that integrate various packages through an operator splitting approach. Additional features include heat conduction, chemical kinetics, species diffusion, incompressible flow, a wide range of material models, chemistry models, multi-phase flow, and magnetohydrodynamics, which can be used in numerous combinations for long (implicit) to short (explicit) time-scale applications.

Potential applications include the advanced manufacturing of high-technology components, home care products, and food processing and safety. The rapidly growing industry of additive manufacturing – also known as 3D printing – is also keen to conduct simulations modelling possible breakthrough technologies. Basic agreements with industrial collaborators will provide access to the code, as well as to Livermore supercomputers and user support.

CONTACT US

If you are interested in more information about ALE3D4I or a potential collaboration with LLNL, please email ale3d-help [at] llnl.gov (subject: ALE3D4I%20Contact%20Request) (ALE3D Support) and we will be in touch with more details. (We will never send you spam or sell your information.)