FloTHERM
Proven, industry-leading CFD software for Electronics Cooling applications from the thermal analysis leaders.
FloTHERM® is 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.
World leader in thermal analysis
FloTHERM enables engineers to create virtual models of electronic equipment, perform thermal analysis, and test design modifications quickly and easily before any physical prototypes are built.
FloTHERM uses advanced CFD techniques to predict airflow, temperature, and heat transfer in components, boards, and complete systems.
With a 98% user recommendation rating, FloTHERM is the undisputed world leader for electronics thermal analysis and has more users, application examples, libraries and published white papers than all others.
An introduction to why Thermal Analysis is so important in the design of Electronic Products, and why CFD is used in the design process to save time and money. View Video
Features and Benefits
Feature:Intelligent Thermal Models
Intelligent Thermal Models
Models that range in scale from single ICs on a PCB to full racks of electronics are assembled quickly from a complete set of SmartParts (intelligent model creation macros) that are supplied with FloTHERM from a large list of suppliers from around the globe. SmartParts capture modeling expertise to streamline model creation, minimize solve times and maximize solution accuracy.
Thermo Electric Cooler (TEC) SmartPart functionality is also supported by FloTHERM. By adding a TEC you can control the temperature so the specified component doesn’t get hotter than the predefined maximum for your design. Also, the Fan RPM Derating feature supports the operation of an electronic device at less than its rated maximum power while taking into consideration the case or body temperature, ambient temperature and the type of cooling mechanism used.
Feature:MCAD and EDA Integration
MCAD and EDA Integration
FloTHERM features the industry's best solution for integration with MCAD and EDA software. With the FloMCAD Bridge module, native data from Pro/ENGINEER, SolidWorks, CATIA and other MCAD and EDA software can be imported into FloTHERM. Unlike other thermal analysis software, FloTHERM automatically prepares the geometry for efficient and accurate analysis.
EDA interfacing is achieved by import of the IDF format as well as direct interfaces to Expedition PCB, BoardStation, Allegro and CR5000.
Feature:Cartesian Mesher
Use of a Robust Structured Cartesian Mesher Minimizes Solution Time
The FloTHERM grid is based on a structured-Cartesian method -- the most stable and numerically efficient type of grid available. The ability to localize the grid is also included for finer resolution where it is needed, minimizing solution time and improving accuracy in grid quality. The grid in FloTHERM is associated with SmartParts and is generated as part of the model assembly process with refinement under user control. This intuitive and straightforward methodology enables engineers to focus on design rather than analysis. Gridding is instantaneous and reliable in FloTHERM in comparison to other tools that require significant time and expertise to master. Finally, FloTHERM is the only analysis software with object-associated grid that eliminates re-gridding for each model modification.
Feature:Automatic Optimization
Automatic Optimization
SmartPart-based modeling and structured cartesian grid enable a feature called “automatic sequential optimization” that is unique to FloTHERM. This allows users to specify a design goal and then let FloTHERM do the hard work of finding the right combination of design variables that meet the goal. Common applications of this feature include optimization for heatsink design, PCB component placement, fan/blower selection and other common design scenarios.
Automatic sequential optimization enables engineers to find design margin or production cost savings that were impractical in the past. As an alternative to automatic sequential optimization, a design of experiments (DoE) can be constructed that will automatically analyze the full range of all possible combinations of parametric variations. These models can be solved on a distributed network of computers using the unique “Volunteer” solution technology.
Feature:Finely-tuned Solver
Finely-tuned Solver
For over 15 years, the FloTHERM solver has specifically addressed electronics cooling applications. The solver results in the most accurate results possible and offers the fastest solution time per grid cell. Massive disparity in geometric length scales are resolved using the unique ‘localized-grid’ technique, which allows for integrally matched, nested, non-conformal grid interfaces between different parts of the solution domain.
The conjugate nature of heat transfer within electronic systems is concurrently solved using a preconditioned conjugate residual solver together with a flexible cycle multi-grid solution technique. Pragmatic, unique and accurate solution termination criteria produce useful results in engineering, not academic, time scales.
Feature:Powerful Visualization Tools
Powerful Visualization Tools
The FloTHERM visualization toolset is developed specifically to maximize productivity for sharing the results of your design and analysis for your electronics cooling projects. Fully rendered models, 3D flow animation and tools for dynamic manipulation of temperature, and flow results, enable engineers to pinpoint thermal issues and visualize design improvements quickly and effectively. Texture mapping and AVI output enable communication of thermal-design concepts with non-technical colleagues. Most recently thermal Bottleneck (Bn) and Shortcut (Sc) post processing parameters have been added to allow engineers to visualize existing thermal bottlenecks and any opportunities to insert a new heat flow path in order to shortcut the heat to cooler areas.
A complimentary, full-functional version of the post-processor which can be used for easy “off-site” results presentation is available with the FloVIZ Viewer.
Highlights
Interfacing – Expedition PCB
There is now a direct interface to Expedition PCB that can extract all data required for a complete PCB thermal model including board shape, layout, stack-up and detailed description of metallic distribution. This functionality can be exported into a FloEDA file for subsequent import into FloEDA Bridge. This latest update compliments the existing direct interfaces to BoardStation, CR5000 and Allegro.
Interfacing – XML formats
Previously available separately but now available installed is the ability to import project and geometry data in a new XML format. This functionality enables better external model creation by user written scripts, and can automate a number of frequent geometry creation tasks. An IcePak to XML converter is also available.
Usability – Transient Model Definition
Updates to the transient model definition are significant starting with the consolidation of all set-up dialogs into the single [Model/Transient] dialog. Other timesaving features include the automatic creation and naming of time patches based on the key point time grid, single edits to multiple time patches and populate save times steps with every Nth step. Also added are the abilities to highlight selected time patches on the time step distribution plot, a display of transient functions overlaid on time step distribution plot and a warning message issued when a material attribute is present with specific heat or density values set at the default of 1.0.
Usability – Shift Select
In the latest version of FloTHERM there are a lot of timesaving functional updates. Another one of these updates is the ability to simultaneously select objects of differing type. Also, a shift select ability is now available in the Project Manager to quickly select multiple objects.
Modeling – Power as a non-linear function of Temperature
Power and temperature are often strongly coupled in electronic devices. In FloTHERM, this is now an extension of the source attribute and can be manually defined or imported in a .csv file. One area where this will be most influential is to reflect temperature dependent leakage effects at sub-90nm scales.
Post Processing – Bottleneck (Bn) and Shortcuts (Sc)
Created internally and not available in any other CFD code, two new post processing scalar fields have been added to the [Model/Modeling] dialog. These two new fields are called the Bottleneck (Bn) and Shortcut (Sc) numbers. The Bn parameter indicates where thermal bottlenecks exist in a model. By relieving those bottlenecks the model should have reduced source (component) temperature rises. Second, the Sc parameter indicates where there is an opportunity to insert a new heat flow patch in order to shortcut the heat to cooler areas; again, reducing sources temperature increases.
From the blogs
Why Not Just Shove a Heatsink on Top of it? Part 2: Heat Flow Budgets
blog post: Two different package styles, two very different thermal responses when a extruded plate fin heatsink is placed on each. At the very least a FloTHERM simulation can be used to observe the thermal behaviour…View Blog Post
Why Not Just Shove a Heatsink on Top of it? Part 1
blog post: A common enough question. Heatsinks are often perceived to be the magic answer to all electronics cooling challenges. They should be called ‘area extenders’ as heat does not just disappear into…View Blog Post
Experiment vs. Simulation, Part 5: Detailed IC Package Model Calibration Methodology
blog post: In the royal family of thermal IC package modelling types, a detailed model is King. All critical 3D geometry is modelled explicitly, no abstraction into a thermal resistor equivalent model, no hiding all…View Blog Post
Localized versions supported:
- Japanese for Visual Editor and FloVIZ
Datasheets
FloTHERM Toolbox
FloTHERM Training
We have training courses available for FloTHERM in our training centers around the world, online, or at your site.
Contact Mentor Graphics
- FloTHERM® Info Request or call toll free: 1-800-547-3000
Best Product Award
Success Stories
Valeo
Valeo uses FloTHERM® to quickly and accurately ensure the reliability of an electronic motor control unit governing the speed of an engine-cooling fan.
View Success Story
Applied Micro Circuits Corporation
AMCC’s new integrated circuit achieves the highest performance to price ratio of any product in its class thanks to FloTHERM® thermal simulation software.
View Success Story