PCB Thermal Analysis is Pro/Mechanica

[MikeHeater]

Does anyone have any experience performing thermal analysis on a PCB in Mechanica? I trying to do some analysis on a 6 layer PCB. I tried modeling and defining each board layer (copper and FR4) in Mechanica, but Pro/E would crash when I tried running an analysis. I then tried modeling the PCB as a homogeneous copper/FR4 material and defined it as being isotropic. Pro E was able to perform the analysis quickly, but I'm not sure if my results are very accurate. Does this seem like an acceptable way to perform the analysis? Has anyone tried doing something similar? Thanks.

 

[seymours2571]

Hey Mike,

I think you can used the advanced shell option for your model. Within the advanced shell definition, you can define the shell properties to be a "laminate layup". Then you can define the individual layers there.

Not sure how this works if you are modeling other solid bodies in contact with the PCB, but I would assume it would handle the thermal conduction just fine.

Hope this helps.

Steve


Stephen Seymour, PE
Seymour Engineering & Consulting Group

http://www.seymourecg.com