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Electronics => Beginners => Topic started by: watchmaker on February 29, 2024, 01:02:46 pm

Title: Source for heat sink extrusions
Post by: watchmaker on February 29, 2024, 01:02:46 pm
Since I know how to cut and tap metal, I would prefer to buy the raw extrusions used for rear mounted heat sinks. 

Has anyone sourced these and is willing to share the vendors?

Thank you.
Title: Re: Source for heat sink extrusions
Post by: ifonlyeverything on February 29, 2024, 01:35:44 pm
https://www.heatsinkusa.com/ (https://www.heatsinkusa.com/) ?
Title: Re: Source for heat sink extrusions
Post by: jonpaul on February 29, 2024, 01:56:16 pm
thermalloy
Title: Re: Source for heat sink extrusions
Post by: CaptDon on February 29, 2024, 01:57:13 pm
It's been too many years since I did B.O.M.'s but Avvid and Thermalloy come to mind?? I think we bought ours in 36" or 48" lengths and our machine shop did the rest. The 'Total Landed Cost' using union labor in the machine shop probably exceeded just having the heatsink extruding company do the work for us!! They will charge for the CNC setup, but if you are going to run 10,000 pieces it's worth the cost.
Title: Re: Source for heat sink extrusions
Post by: radar_macgyver on February 29, 2024, 02:18:53 pm
Quote from: ifonlyeverything on February 29, 2024, 01:35:44 pm
https://www.heatsinkusa.com/ (https://www.heatsinkusa.com/) ?
Seconded - they will also do the machining for you.
Title: Re: Source for heat sink extrusions
Post by: coppice on February 29, 2024, 02:27:57 pm
If you need high performance, I'd recommend working with a supplier specifically in the heat sink market. I vaguely remember, from many years back, finding the thermal resistance of various alloys and extrusion methods has a wide spread, and you don't want to find you have the wrong one. Treating the surface where the heat source clamps on can also change performance a lot. You can get the oxide stripped, and a combination of platings applied to end up with a copper surface (you can't plate copper directly onto aluminium. I assume there are multiple layers in a CCA cable, too). Its takes only a surprisingly thin coating of copper to help spread the heat info the heat sink, and reduce hot spotting.
Title: Re: Source for heat sink extrusions
Post by: mag_therm on February 29, 2024, 02:45:10 pm
If needing just a few for hobby, there are some $4 ones here:
https://www.sphere.bc.ca/oldsite/test/stuffday.html#audio (https://www.sphere.bc.ca/oldsite/test/stuffday.html#audio)
To find on the long page: ctl >F  "Blank Heatsinks"
Title: Re: Source for heat sink extrusions
Post by: jmelson on February 29, 2024, 04:28:02 pm
I have bought bulk extrusions from Aavid in 6 foot lengths.
Jon
Title: Re: Source for heat sink extrusions
Post by: CaptDon on February 29, 2024, 06:47:31 pm
Jmelson,  good catch on my spelling Avvid vs. Aavid!!!  Cheers mates!!
Title: Re: Source for heat sink extrusions
Post by: watchmaker on February 29, 2024, 11:04:12 pm
Thank you all!  I may have follow up questions after I study the website.  Kind of confusing.