anisotropic thermal conductivity
 

I have a model of an inductor that looks like this:

http://imageshack.us/a/img854/6246/inductorstar.jpg

The cylindrical shapes are representing wire bundles, and so they have varying thermal conductivity in different directions. Obviously in the direction of the wire the 'k' value is highest, but the wires make turns around the core of the inductor. If these cylinders are one solid piece in STAR, then when I select anisotropic conductivity it gives me the option of defining the k's in the X, Y, and Z directions. I don't see how this is possible if this cydliner is one solid piece. In my mind, if I split it into sections when I modeled it in SolidWorks like this:

http://imageshack.us/a/img28/2637/inductor.jpg

This is a top down view.

I could select each section and depending on the direction of the wires, give it its necessary conductivity (X,Y,Z). The problem is the corners where there is curvature. How to define it here? Would I need to come up with some sort of function based on the curvature? Seems like the conductivity would be changing instantaneously with the change in direction. I hope I'm describing this problem accurately, any insight would be appreciated.

Anisotropic thermal conductivity
 

Hi,

Did you manage to find an answer to this problem? I am trying to achieve the same thing as you - model bent conductors which have a high thermal conductivity along each conductor and a low thermal conductivity across the bundle.

Many thanks