Hi,

I work in electronics packaging, analyzing assemblies for the automotive industry. I am trying to determine what the right thermal-CFD package is right for us. Since Adapco won't give us a 30-day trial unless I go to training (which will cost money) I need your advice on the best package to buy. We have very complicated geometry so the software must be able to import it reliably, they also contain many parts in the assemblies. We are mainly performing natural and forced convection on electronic assemblies and joule heating. The output of results must have heat transfer coefficients, heat resistance and capacitance. Also the thermal and pressure loads need to be able to be used in ABAQUS for stress analysis. I have narrowed the selections down to the following:

Star-Design Star-CCM+ CFDesign

Can I get away with Star-Design (it cost less) or will I be backing myself into a corner with its limited capabilities? How does CFDesign compare to the others?

Thanks for the help Ron

Its hard to belevie that no one here has an opion on this. Any help would be greatly apreciated.

Thanks Ron

Forget stardesign, you can't get heat transfer coefficients, heat resistance or capacitance!

Thanks chris. That narrows it down to two.

Ron

My advice is Star CCM+

With complicated geometry you have to by a pre-processing software , as ANSA, IcemCFD ,…. Then I think the new prostar V.4.02 is better solution then ccm+ (more universal)...

Thanks for the help. Your input is apprecieated

Ron

The Star-CCM+ licensing is cheap right now since they're still developing it. Check the cd-adapco.com site for info on the current supported models in CCM+... It is my experinece that the proces from CAD to CFD geometry in CCM+ is great but you can always get cornered by small details and such. The pre-processor is build into CCM+ and you import your CAD easy and start generating your mesh..

Good luck

Thanks for the input it helps alot.

Ron

I'd suggest that you go on the training course (even if it costs you money). Assuming you're successful with CFD, you will spend a lot of time working with whatever package you select, so it pays to make a small investment upfront to ensure you pick the right one. I'd recommend STAR-CCM+, but that's because it meets my needs, that doesn't mean it will meet your needs. If Adapco are happy for you to evaluate their software, but only on the condition that they teach you how to use it first, so that you don't waste lots of time figuring stuff out for yourself, that sounds fair enough to me.

The other thing to remember is that it doesn't have to be an either/or between STAR-Design and STAR-CCM+. The solver that lies behind STAR-Design, is STAR-CCM+, and depending on how you license it, you can open STAR-Design models in STAR-CCM+. The main benefit of STAR-Design is that it gives you some CAD capability.

I haven't used CFDesign, so can't really comment. Its reputation is that it's easy-to-use and interacts well with CAD, but that the results it gives aren't very accurate.

Thanks for all the input. It has helped

Ron

I am using CFdesign for last one year. Most of the MNC are using this for electronic cooling and satisfied with results, Its latest V(9) version gives very good compatibility like two resistor componentsm, rule on parts, solar lading etc really helpful for the assenbly having more number of componenets.My choice for your need is CFdesign. You can get demo version very easily from them which contains all help documentations.