(Mentor Graphics Mechanical Analysis: United Kingdom) -- In an effort to investigate the effect of different mechanical architecture options, developers used FloTHERM thermal simulation software to develop a new mechanical design for the Philips Aurea 42-inch LCD television. Thermal simulation at the design stage helped them come up with a design that decreased internal temperatures by 3–5°C over previous proposed concepts. Thermal simulation allowed developers to see what would and wouldn’t work from a thermal standpoint. As a result, according to project leader Genevieve Martin, the team was able to save time and optimize design at a lower cost than would have been possible using traditional build-and-test methods.

“Thermal simulation enabled us to understand the thermal impact of our design decisions long before prototypes were available,” says Martin. “As a result, we saved a considerable amount of time and money by getting the design right the first time from a thermal standpoint.”

A total of 126 power light-emitting-diodes placed around the screen create a multitude of segments that fuse into one soft surround of light in the active frame, directly enveloping the screen and flowing seamlessly into a soft halo on the wall. Martin also began working very early in the development process to perform an architecture study with the goal of defining the effect of critical mechanical design choices on cooling.

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