Qfin4 Tour
Program Layout
1. Simulation Tree
Hierarchical organization and management of a project, its environment, materials, components, and solution.
2. Component Toolbar
Components include heat sinks, fans, openings, grilles, heat pipes, heat sources and packages, PCB's, plates, ducts, and probes.
3. 3D View
Interactive 3D visualization of model geometry and simulation results.
4. Property Panel
Allows instant modification of component parameters.
5. Message Window
Feedback from program in the form of information, suggestion, and error messages.
6. Solver Toolbar
Quick access to all available solvers, including natural convection estimate solver, full flow and conduction solver, parameterized trial solver, optimizer, and transient solver.
7. 3D View Toolbar
Allows manipulation of 3D view.
Example Session
1. Create New Project
A step-by-step wizard helps with initial setup of the project, including environmental conditions and cabinet opening configuration.
2. Add Fan
Clicking on an icon in the component toolbar will present a step-by-step wizard to help you create a new component. For a fan you can specify its type and flow conditions, as well as its size and location. It will typically be located on the front side of the cabinet.
3. Add Heat Sink
Similar to adding a fan, a step-by-step wizard will once again guide you through creating the required heat sink. Qfin supports many types of heat sinks, including extrusions, pin fins, plates, stacked fins, etc.
4. Add Heat Source
By first selecting the bottom of the heat sink base, a heat source can be attached to that specific surface, and will move along with the surface if the heat sink is moved or resized. This built-in parameterization allows for very quick and easy setup of parameterized trials and optimization studies later on.
5. Solve
To solve the case you simply click the Solve flow and conduction toolbar button, and after a few seconds the solution will be shown in the 3D view. No solver setup is required, and meshing is fully automatic. Various post-processing tools are available, including plane cuts and full reports.
6. Optimize The Design
Qfin includes a very easy-to-use design optimizer. Simply specify your design variables, e.g. number of fins and fin width, and Qfin's advanced mathematical optimization algorithm will automatically find an optimum design in a few iterations.