Map the PCB temperature distribution on a structural analysis

Estimated time to complete: 10–15 minutes

You will learn how to:

  • Create a mapping solution on the target model.

  • Solve and display mapping of temperature on the target model.

  • Preload the temperature results and run a structural analysis

1: Open and explore the thermal Simulation file

  1. On your desktop or the appropriate network drive, create a folder named pcb_mapping.

  2. Click the link below:

    Download the part

  3. Extract the part files to your pcb_mapping folder.

  4. Start Simcenter 3D or NX.

Open the Simulation file to include and explore the assembly.

File

  • Open

  • Files of Type

    Simulation Files (*.sim)

  • Look in

    pcb_mapping

  • File name

    pcb_thermal_sim.sim

  • OK

     

Simulation Navigator

  • Open and explore the following simulation objects, constraint sets, and loads. Do not modify them.

 CPU 10W loadcase

 Simulation Objects

 CPU to PCB conduction

 CPU to PCB radiation

 Constraint Set

 Forced air on PCB

 Forced air on CPU

 Loads

 CPU 10W load

 Results

 Thermal

2: Reset dialog box memory

The options you select in dialog boxes are preserved for the next time you open the same dialog box within a given session. Restore the default settings to ensure that the dialog boxes are in the expected initial state for each step of the activity.

File

Preferences→User Interface

  • Options

  •   Reset Dialog Memory

  • OK

     
3: Solve the thermal solution

Simulation Navigator

  • CPU 10W loadcase

  • Solve

  • OK

     

  • Wait for Completed to display in the Analysis Job Monitor dialog box, before proceeding.

  • No

     Review Results dialog box

  • Information window

  • Cancel

      Analysis Job Monitor dialog box

4: Display the thermal results

Display the temperatures of the PCB.

Simulation Navigator

  • Results

Post Processing Navigator

  • Thermal→Temperature - Nodal

  • Scalar

  • Post View 1→2D Elements

  • CPU Mesh (hide)

Note:

Average temperature is 66 °C. Observe that triangular elements have been used for the mesh.

File

Save→Save All

5: Return to the thermal simulation and open the structural Simulation file

Return to Home (Results tab→Context group→Change Window Drop-down list)

File

  • Open

  • Files of Type

    Simulation Files (*.sim)

  • Look in

    pcb_mapping

  • File name

    pcb_structural_sim.sim

  • OK

     
Note:

This file contains an NX Nastran structural FEM and Simulation file. Observe that the PCB is meshed using quadratic elements.

6: Create the mapping solution

You will create a mapping solution in the structural Simulation file that will point to the thermal solution results.

Simulation Navigator

  • pcb_structural_sim.sim

  • New Solution

  • Solver

    Simcenter 3D Thermal/Flow

Tip:

According to your available license, you can use the following solvers: Simcenter 3D Thermal/Flow, Simcenter 3D Electronic Systems Cooling, or Simcenter 3D Space Systems Thermal.

  • Analysis Type

    Mapping

  •  

  • Browse (Source Model Results File)

  • File name

    pcb_thermal_sim–CPU_10W_loadcase.bun

  • OK

  • Optional Output

  •   Create Nastran Solution

  • OK

     Solution dialog box

Note:

Explore and observe the new solution that has been created.

 Solution 1

 Constraints

 Results

 Thermal-Flow

7: Solve the mapping solution

Solve the mapping solution you just created on the structural model.

Simulation Navigator

  • Solution 1

  • Solve

  • OK

     

  • Wait for Completed to display in the Analysis Job Monitor dialog box, before proceeding.

  • Information window

  • Cancel

     Analysis Job Monitor dialog box

8: Display the thermal mapped results

Simulation Navigator

  • Results (under Solution 1)

Post Processing Navigator

  • Thermal-Flow→Temperature - Nodal

  • Scalar

  • Post View 2→2D Elements

  • CPU Mesh (hide)

Note:

The temperatures were mapped from triangular thermal elements to quad structural elements.

File

Save→Save All

9: Return to the structural simulation

Return to Home (Context group→Change Window Drop-down list)

Simulation Navigator

  • Mapping Nastran

  • Make Active

  • Loads→Temperature Set - Temperature 1

 Solution 1

 Constraints

 Results

 Thermal-Flow

 Mapping Nastran

 Temperatures

 Simulation Objects

 Constraints

 Subcase 1

 Loads

 Temperature Set - Temperature 1

 Temperature 1

 Results

Note:

Observe the created solutions.

Solution 1 contains a Thermal-Flow result node with mapped temperature that you displayed in the previous step.

Mapping Nastran solution was also created with the Temperature 1 load in the Subcase 1.

10: Contour plot the temperature load

Simulation Navigator

  • Temperature 1

  • Plot Contours

  • Close

    Boundary Condition Contour Plot dialog box 

Results

  • Contour (Display group→Color Display Drop-down list)

11: Save and close

Save and close your files when you are finished.

File

  • Save→Save All

File

  • Close→All Parts