MATLAB, thermal simulation

[riscy]

I'm currently studying FEA/CFD and BEM for thermal simulation of custom dies within custom package mounted on custom PCB with encapsulate material (epoxy). I getting familar with CFD concept which seem overkill from ANSYS IcePack (too expensive) but exploring BEM technology from E3D in france (via Vishay).

I have access to MATLAB from other company to try it out for thermal modelling (ie BEM).

I never use MATLAB before, what the best step to learn it (quickly), has anyone use MATLAB for thermal simulation under BEM (or CFD or FEA). I also like to hear their experience and limitation.

Is MATLAB is a right tool for this job?, any reason why I should not consider it?

 

[IRstuff]

Depends on what you're after, isn't it? MATLAB is simply a mathematical calculation tool. If you're trying to do thermal analysis from scratch, good luck with that.

If there is a pre-written toolbox, then there may be a chance. That pre-written toolbox will need to be able to swallow some sort of CAD model of your designs, otherwise, good luck with that too.

There are, of course, lumped model approximations that could be coded into MATLAB, ala, "Thermal Computations for Electronic Equipment," but, that'll require quite a bit of fiddling to determine the correct degree of lumpiness to apply.

TTFN

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[FeX32]

Matlab is king of math computation. It's programming code is similar to C++.
It's perfectly capable of programming anything you can think of and have the skills to do. I have done some FEA from scratch using Matlab. Lots of work.
IRstuff has all the perfect points.


Fe

 

[electricpete]

Matlab programming is similar to C++?... In what way?

=====================================
(2B)+(2B)' ?

 

[IRstuff]

Syntax of Matlab code is similar to C

TTFN

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[riscy]

Anything related to Thermal simulation?
Has it done before?
Where can I find the sample files, representing PCB, ICs, etc.

 

[IRstuff]

One might think that you should start with a search in the Mathworks User Community File Exchange

TTFN

FAQ731-376
Chinese prisoner wins Nobel Peace Prize

 

[FeX32]

Yes, I meant the syntax is similar to C.
I although prefer Matlab syntax. I used to like Fortran the most.


Fe

 

[FeX32]

Oh. If your problem base is 3D FEA I don't sugggest you start with that problem. Start with 1D and 2D linear element problems. For example the deflection of a cantilever beam. Then try it on a variable cross-section beam. ect. And try changing the shape functions for the elements.


Fe

 

[riscy]

I did a search on Mathworks User Community File Exchange, could not find useful material there, it not easy to find as well.

 

[IRstuff]

Really?

http://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/fileexchange/27011-sofea-a-finite-element-toolkit

TTFN

FAQ731-376
Chinese prisoner wins Nobel Peace Prize

 

[FeX32]

Wow. Looks like they have done all the coding for you!
Good on ya,


Fe

 

[riscy]

thank....I have to go to work and experiment them and see how it goes, I was wondering if anyone have example of PCB, package die for this app.

 

[FeX32]

Never used that (or a) toolbox for FEA.


Fe

 

[flash3780]

You might look into CalculiX (FEA) or OpenFOAM (CFD). They're free. Writing your own FEA works... but it seems like a lot of extra work when there are codes available. Check out CAELinux (

http://www.caelinux.com).

Not to say that MATLAB can't handle FEA - it can. I've actually written an 2D FEA in MATLAB back in college. It just seems like it would be more efficient to use existing tools.

 

[GregLocock]

Yes, I'd use an existing tool, like say OpenFEM which runs in matlab.

Cheers

Greg Locock


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