Which software should i use to simulate the Automative electric motor controller?
 

Hi,all
Now, i will simulate a motor controller, but i found several software can do the simulation, such as CFX, Fluent, STAR-CD, FloEFD, ICEPAK, Flotherm, CFdesign, and so on.
CFX and fluent are common used CFD analysis software, so i don't want to use them for they are too powerful and expensive with long-time study.
Star-CD is mostly used in engine design.
Flotherm is created for electric product like PCB and so on. In this controller, i need to simulate the Air flow situation with thermal and fluid flow.
But how can i identify the difference between ICEPAK, FloEFD, CFdesign?
The software should be as cheap as possible with fully satisfied functions.
Thanks.

Hi suihenry,

this is always a question on what exactly you want to simulate, so how detailed you will go with your definitions.
FloTHERM is perfect for electronics cooling it is very fast and you don't need a CAD model but you can import data if you want. FloTHERM is not only for PCB, there are several FloTHERM sub-products you could say. Here's how these different products describe what they can do:

FloTHERM® is a powerful 3D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software that predicts airflow and heat transfer in and around electronic equipment, from components and boards up to complete systems.

FloTHERM® PCB is a radical new collaboration tool for product marketing, electrical and mechanical engineers that accelerates the conceptual thermal design of printed-circuit boards.

FloTHERM® PACK is a unique Web-based solution from Mentor Graphics Mechanical Analysis designed to generate reliable, accurate thermal models of IC components, test boards, standard test harnesses and other associated parts with the minimum of effort. FloTHERM PACK generates accurate models 100X faster than conventional approaches.

FloTHERM® IC is a new web-based tool from Mentor Graphics that incorporates a high level of automation for key tasks related to semiconductor thermal characterization and design.

Usually FloTHERM is ideal for block like components as electonics usually is but not for complex geometries of housings etc. FloEFD on the other hand is ideal for such geometry but needs a CAD model and very easy to use for non CFD specialists. FloEFD comes as standalone product for the import of different CAD files such as STEP, IGES and Parasolid but also for some native formats such as SolidWorks, Inventor etc.
There is an electronics cooling module which gives you the possibility to use jule heating, 2-resistor components and a large library of fans, materials etc.

ICEPAK and FloTHERM are direkt competitors so the disicion would depend on what you like most and what features you need most or eventually pricing.

CFDesign and FloEFD is the same but with FloEFD having the larger electronics brother FloTHERM behind it with a huge electronics cooling technology know-how. If you contact FloEFD support you get the also the knowledge of FloTHERM engineers and you would stay with the same company in case you decide to choose another of Mentor's products. Let's say you need more FloTHERM and in a few years you say you would also need the more CAD sided CFD you would go for FloEFD over the same sales partner as you bought FloTHERM.
It's like getting your telephone, Internet and TV from the same company instead of different providers. Makes things much easier.

Of course I'm from Mentor and would say so but that's how I would decide personally too. Let me know if you need more information.

whoa.. quite the Mentor Graphics commercial..

suihenry.. Good chance that all of the CFD codes you have listed can solve your problem in one way or the other. Clearly, they will all certainly say that they can.

I understand that "cheap" can be a motivator. But, you should look at the tool that fits your needs best and the cost will pay for itself in the end as they say.

Look at what you are trying to accomplish. Do you have CAD models? If so, from where? If you do, it will quickly rule out some of the more traditional packages that tend to rely on recreating the geom from scratch,

Are you looking to make design changes or looking for a one and done solution?

Do you have future flow/thermal problems in the near future?

Do you have a full time person that will be driving CFD?

All fairly basic questions. But important before jumping into head first.

good luck

I use CFD codes in electronic cooling applications and my firm opinion is that Floworks (integrated with Solidworks) or Floefd (standalone) are the best for you. Flotherm is a bit faster (than Floefd/Floworks) but not very user friendly and not good for complex geometries since it's not integrated with the popular CAD packages. It is much more expensive too.

CFDesign is user friendly and intuitive, but its meshing and convergency are pain when dealing with complex geometries. It is also much more expensive than Floefd/Floworks.