Hi everyone, I am currently working on a motor design project and have successfully completed the 2D Electromagnetic Analysis in SimLab. My goal is to perform a Transient Thermal Analysis while keeping the workflow in 2D to optimize solve times. I am running into two specific hurdles: * Cooling Channel Definition: When attempting to declare cooling channels in the 2D Transient Thermal setup, the software does not allow me to select the relevant faces. Is there any specific boundary condition requirement for 2D models in SimLab, or are cooling channels restricted to 3D CFD/Thermal workflows? * Workflow Strategy: Given that my EM results are 2D, what is the recommended Altair best practice for thermal coupling? Should I:* Map 2D EM losses to a 2D Thermal setup (and how do I handle the cooling)? * Or, is it better to extrude my 2D EM results into a 3D Thermal/CFD model to properly account for the cooling jacket and end-winding heat dissipation? Software used: SimLab 2025 and Flux 2D. Any advice on the selection issue or the most efficient coupling workflow would be greatly appreciated!

Altair RISE

A program to recognize and reward our most engaged community members

Nominate Yourself Now!

Is it possible to do Transient thermal analysis of a motor in 2D ???

Hi everyone,

I am currently working on a motor design project and have successfully completed the 2D Electromagnetic Analysis in SimLab. My goal is to perform a Transient Thermal Analysis while keeping the workflow in 2D to optimize solve times.

I am running into two specific hurdles:

Cooling Channel Definition: When attempting to declare cooling channels in the 2D Transient Thermal setup, the software does not allow me to select the relevant faces. Is there any specific boundary condition requirement for 2D models in SimLab, or are cooling channels restricted to 3D CFD/Thermal workflows?
Workflow Strategy: Given that my EM results are 2D, what is the recommended Altair best practice for thermal coupling? Should I:
- Map 2D EM losses to a 2D Thermal setup (and how do I handle the cooling)?
- Or, is it better to extrude my 2D EM results into a 3D Thermal/CFD model to properly account for the cooling jacket and end-winding heat dissipation?

Software used: SimLab 2025 and Flux 2D.

Any advice on the selection issue or the most efficient coupling workflow would be greatly appreciated!

Find more posts tagged with

AcuSolve

OptiStruct

SimLab

Accepted answers

All comments

Lavanya Vadamodala_20519

Hi Gupta,

Starting from the 2D transient magnetic analysis, In Flux, the most common way is to export the copper loss / iron loss information from the transient magnetic analysis and run the CFD analysis with AcuSolve.

Please check out the example in the SimLab tutorials in help for the workflow and model for reference.

SimLab Tutorial Summary: Multi-physics (EM, NVH, CFD) Analysis of a 75 kW PMSM - Motor Mode

Thank you,

Lavanya

s_gupta_2608

Hi Lavanya,

Thank you for the quick response.

I have already reviewed the "75 kW PMSM" tutorial; however, that workflow focuses on 3D CFD with AcuSolve. My specific requirement is to remain in a 2D environment for the thermal solver to maintain computational efficiency and direct alignment with my 2D Simlab model.

To clarify my previous question:

Selection Issue: Since I cannot select "Cooling Channels" in 2D, is the correct approach to model the cooling effect via Convection Boundary Conditions on the edges/lines where the channels would be?
Solver: Can I run a Transient Thermal simulation in SimLab, or does SimLab strictly require a 3D volume for thermal mapping?

Best regards,

Lavanya Vadamodala_20519

Here are answers to your questions :

1) You need to provide convection boundary conditions for 2D approach of thermal analysis
2) If you are continuing with SimLab it has to be 3D mapping.

Since you are using SimLab 2025, I suggest opening the SimLab 2D EM solved model in Flux and continue with 2D transient thermal solution set up.

s_gupta_2608

Hi Lavanya,

Thanks for the clarification. It’s helpful to know that SimLab requires 3D for mapping and that I should move to Flux 2D for the thermal setup.

I am currently facing an issue with the transition. When I open the SimLab-solved model in Flux 2D, the physics and solution settings are disabled/greyed out, preventing me from adding the thermal application or defining the new boundary conditions. It would be better if you help me with a picture of it.

What is the correct way to open or export the model from SimLab to Flux so that the geometry and EM losses are editable for a subsequent thermal run?

Thank you

Best regards