Simulation of a PCB with several layers

General discussion about Elmer
Post Reply
Thermosent
Posts: 4
Joined: 05 Mar 2018, 10:58
Antispam: Yes

Simulation of a PCB with several layers

Post by Thermosent »

Hello,

I'm quite new to Elmer but I've read a lot of posts in this forum.
So I was able to simulate the thermal behavior of some simple objects.

Now I want to simulate a pcb with 4 layers and a hand of elements.
To create this I use Salome that works fine for me.
My question is now, how can I say Elmer that one inner layer is just filled 35% with copper?

Thanks in advance :)

Thermosent
mzenker
Posts: 1999
Joined: 07 Dec 2009, 11:49
Location: Germany

Re: Simulation of a PCB with several layers

Post by mzenker »

Hi,

which material is the remaining 65 %?
Is it a mixture or are there areas with copper and areas with "non-copper"?

Matthias
Thermosent
Posts: 4
Joined: 05 Mar 2018, 10:58
Antispam: Yes

Re: Simulation of a PCB with several layers

Post by Thermosent »

Hi Matthias,

the given 35% copper is an estimatet value.
It sums up the area used by the conductor lines in a given area (but is just an example).
The remaining 65% is an isolation material.
So there are areas with copper and areas with non-copper.

Thermosent
mzenker
Posts: 1999
Joined: 07 Dec 2009, 11:49
Location: Germany

Re: Simulation of a PCB with several layers

Post by mzenker »

Hmmm...
If it does matter where the copper and non-copper areas are, you should model them with the geometry.
If not, you could use averaged material properties.

HTH,

Matthias
Thermosent
Posts: 4
Joined: 05 Mar 2018, 10:58
Antispam: Yes

Re: Simulation of a PCB with several layers

Post by Thermosent »

Thank you for this hint!
The average value should be ok for first trials with multilayer pcb's.
I just thougth there is a parameter where I can set such features.

Is there a possibility to set environmental conditions?
E.g. I know just the values of ambient temperature and all component dissipations (and of course all materialfeatures).
Where can I set the ambient temperature and do I need further boundary conditions?
Or do I have to build an additional casing so that I can assign ambient temperature?
In my case I don't know any temperature on the pcb.

Thermosent
mzenker
Posts: 1999
Joined: 07 Dec 2009, 11:49
Location: Germany

Re: Simulation of a PCB with several layers

Post by mzenker »

Hi,

you can set the external temperature and a heat transfer coefficient in the boundary conditions, and the heat disspation as body force.

HTH,

Matthias
Thermosent
Posts: 4
Joined: 05 Mar 2018, 10:58
Antispam: Yes

Re: Simulation of a PCB with several layers

Post by Thermosent »

Hi,

I started a simulation with the settings Matthias has told me.
And so far it works.

Now I have created the PCB including components and put it into a case. (in Salome)
Is there a possibility to inspect the inside of the case?
The simulations result looks good, but if it is possible I would like to have a look at the components on the PCB.
Maybe there's a function to set the case in a transparent mode in ElmerVTK...

Best regards,

Thermosent
mzenker
Posts: 1999
Joined: 07 Dec 2009, 11:49
Location: Germany

Re: Simulation of a PCB with several layers

Post by mzenker »

Hi,

in ParaView (recommended for postprocessing), you can make cuts through your geometry . You can also selectively display bodies, IIRC using a threshold filter on geometry IDs.
I never use ElmerVTK, so I don't know anything about its capabilities.

HTH,

Matthias
Post Reply