MARLBOROUGH, MA – Flomerics Inc. has released Version 7 of its Flotherm electronics thermal analysis software featuring a Response Surface Optimization capability that the company believes is unrivalled in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis software. The Response Surface Optimization fits a 3D surface to the entire design space, reportedly enabling engineers to visualize the complete interaction of the design parameters with the design goal as well as identifying the optimum to a greater degree of accuracy.
 
The user begins Flotherm’s optimization process by defining design goals in the form of a “cost function”, and the ranges over which key design parameters may be varied. The cost function may be a single, simple value such as the junction temperature of a particular component, or a complex linear combination of values including weighting. Flotherm automatically creates and runs the required number of simulations to explore the entire design space in the most cost-effective way.
 
The optimization module then generates a “response surface” showing the value of the design goals for all the combinations of variables that were run. The response surface can be viewed through either a 2D or 3D chart window, said to make it easy to visualize the sensitivity of the cost function to changes in particular design parameters. The optimum value of the cost function is automatically identified and saved as a new project file. This project file can then be solved to confirm the global optimum.
 
Common real-world applications of the optimization process include: heatsink design, PCB component placement, fan/blower selection and the location of vents.