Optimize Products with Autodesk CFD Design Studies

Every time you use Autodesk CFD - you are in the Design Study Environment. At its simplest, a Design Study contains a single analysis called a Scenario. The Scenario defines the materials (fluids, solids, devices), boundary conditions (velocity, flow rates, temperatures), and the mesh element size. However, each Design Study can contain a unique geometry model. Using multiple Designs in a Study allows you to understand the effects of geometry modifications and compare the results. This workflow is incredibly valuable while developing new products or improving existing ones.

This example will explain how to create multiple design studies with Autodesk CFD. I'll be comparing 3 different heat sink designs and how they dissipate heat.

1. Create a new design study and import your first CAD model. 

2. Right-Click on the Design name (top-left of browser) and select "Add/update design" from the fly-out menu.

3. From the menu - click on "Browse" and navigate to the second CAD file that you'd like to include in your study.

4. At the bottom of the menu, select "Create New Design" and give it a corresponding name.

5. Repeat steps 2-4 to upload as many CAD files as you'd like to compare in the CFD study. The browser will look something like this when you're done:

6. Setup the Scenarios with the required materials, boundary conditions, and mesh settings. Try to keep the mesh consistent across all three studies. In this example, I applied a Total Heat Generation to the chip at the bottom of the model and a 2 mph velocity acting horizontal to the system to represent a small fan.

7. To Solve - select "Solver Manager" from the ribbon.

8. Check the box next to all the Design Studies you'd like to include in the solve. Select "Submit" when you're ready to run the analyses.

Global temperature contours are a good place to start when comparing the results. Here's all 3 versions of the heat sink side-by-side:

It appears that Design 1 (Fins) performed the best. Using Iso Volumes I can show geometry with a Temperature above a certain threshold (in this case 140 degrees F):

Finally, I can extract the Maximum Temperature results and generate an XY Plot with the Autodesk CFD Decision Center. This plot makes it clear which design performed best:

About the Author

Manufacturing Applications Expert<br><br>Ed assesses clients' current business processes to recommend and implement software solutions to meet their needs. His software expertise includes Inventor, Inventor FEA, Nastran, Inventor HSM (CAM), Fusion 360, Fusion 360 Simulation, Fusion 360 CAM, and Generative Design.

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