Aluminum PCB USB-C Connector

[bjkayani]

Hello All

New forum member here. I am designing an Aluminum PCB for this LED project. It needs to have a USB-C Connector on it. From your experience, is it better to have an SMD connector or through hole connector on Aluminum. Through holes on my Aluminum
PCB wont be plated through.

I am just trying to think through which route will be more mechanically sound and what would be the cost difference between the two.

Thanks for your insight.

[NiHaoMike]

Aluminum PCBs usually do not support through holes for electrical connections other than ground, so I assume the "through hole" connector only uses through holes for ground. I would go for that if the pins are long enough to bend over on the bottom of the PCB and then glue in place for added strength. Also add a pair of holes on the board with the connector in the middle to allow adding a bracket (attached using screws from the bottom) to reinforce the connector.