Defining a Heat Sink Component

You can apply properties to a 3D part that model the behavior of a heat sink.

When you define a heat sink component in one finite element model (FEM) representation, the app defines it in all FEM representation instances.

Before you begin:
  1. Create a bounding box abstraction to represent the heat sink, instead of using the detailed heat sink geometry.

    For more information, see Creating Abstraction Shapes.

  2. Mesh the bounding box.
  3. Add the bounding box to the simulation.
See Also
About Heat Sink Components
  1. From the E-Cooling section of the action bar, click Heat Sink Component .
  2. Optional: Enter a descriptive Name.
  3. From the 3D area, select a bounding box as the support.
  4. Click Search to search the Material Palette for a material and apply it to the bounding box.

    You must apply a solid material.

  5. Enter values for the D viscous resistance in the x-, y-, and z-directions.

    Specifying the viscous resistance in the component directions is a method used to describe the geometry of the heat sink. For example, a high viscous resistance in the direction of the flow could indicate that heat sink's fins are oriented perpendicular to the flow or that the heat sink has many fins.

  6. Enter a value for the K conductivity in the x-, y-, and z-directions.

    The heat sink's fins create an anisotropic thermal conductivity in the regions between the fins. Typically, the direction with the least viscous resistance has the highest thermal conductivity.

  7. Select the axis system and the axis that is parallel to the heat sink's fins.
    OptionDescription
    Global Aligns the local feature triad with the global coordinate system.
    Local Aligns the local feature triad with a selected axis system in the model.
  8. Click OK.