Customer Brief: Philips Medical

Packaging powerful 4D digital imaging functionality and voice-activated controls within a compact, ergonomic design, the iU22 from Philips Medical is truly a next-generation ultrasound system.

During its development, engineers found that behind the iU22's sleek exterior, electronic components were running too hot. Engineer Kurt Werner decided it would be faster and more economical to evaluate design changes in a digital prototyping environment that leveraged the integrated, parametric relationship between Pro/ENGINEER and CFdesign.

Werner and his peers quickly identified the problem: a filter-put in place to prevent the printed circuit boards from being contaminated- was choking the internal fans and restricting air flow. Using the fully detailed Pro/ENGINEER assembly, alternative fan locations were evaluated to achieve the thermal management goals. "This problem would never have been known without running CFdesign," explains Werner.

Beyond problem solving, the Philips Medical team used CFdesign to enhance product performance. The simulations done to relocate fans lead to an innovative idea: an inexpensive throttle plate would accelerate airflow in some areas, while de-accelerating it in others. This design feature promoted uniform temperatures across all the circuit boards throughout the system, thereby increasing product quality and reducing potential for field repair and warranty exposure.

"We thought it might be tough to use 3D CAD assemblies with this much complexity in a simulation environment but CFdesign handled it all automatically," said Werner.

The Philips Medical iU22 team conservatively estimates that CFdesign cut at least two prototypes out of the system validation process, saving the company at least $40,000 in materials along with several weeks of staff time.