The manufacturers of heat sinks utilize several methods in their manufacturing. Air-cooled products include stampings, extrusions, bonded and fabricated fins, castings, cold forging techniques and folded fins. The websites of heat sink makers provide these terms to distinguish the products.

Heat sinks dissipate heat from critical components. They add longer performance life for the components while providing a stable environment. When looking for a heat sink manufacturer, consider the following:

1. Look for manufacturers of heat sinks providing a wide choice of active and passive products.

2. Find extrusion aluminum heat sinks to cool down your components with cost advantages.

3. Work with a heat sink maker for your specially designed solutions with short and long runs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find heat sink manufacturers offering a broad range of solutions

These heat sink makers provide various types including extruded and cold forged. Contact the companies for off-the-shelf products applicable in many industries.

I recommend: Choose from the numerous heat sink design categories at Aavid Thermalloy that include bonded fin, surface mount and clip and rail; click the product for further information, then click “Contact Us” or look for the ordering information on some of the products. Select the product required that includes server, power, integrated or folded/stacked fin, among others, at Enertron; then phone the number on the page or click “Contact Us” to fill in a request form.

Find a manufacturer of aluminum heat sinks

These companies provide aluminum extrusion heat sinks. Applications include computer, electronics and aerospace, among others. Aluminum provides RF/EMI shielding and light weight and offers a cost advantage over copper.

I recommend: Click “Click here” for the extrusions search engine applicable for commercial, industrial and medical industries, or click “Quote Request” at Wakefield Thermal Solutions. Scroll through several pages of extruded aluminum heat sinks, note the product number, then phone the number on the page or click “RFQ” for quote at PSI Extrusions.

Work with a manufacturer of custom heat sinks for solutions

These makers of custom heat sinks provide several services including extruding, machining and thermal engineers to assist you. Some of the industries served include electronics, telecommunications, medical, computer and automotive.

I recommend: Phone the number on the page or click “contact us” and fill in the form at Cooliance for your thermal solutions. Prototypes are delivered in less than a week after receiving your requirements. Go to M & M Metals for quick turnaround times and design assistance in aluminum or copper heat sinks. Click “Sales Representatives,” then your state, or click “Contact Us” and fill in the form. Fill out the form at Calgreg Electronics for a custom designed aluminum heat sink in 6061, 6063 or 1100 aluminum.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Some heat sinks carry the terms active or passive. An active heat sink typically incorporates a fan or other device for cooling, while passive models rely on convection without additional cooling devices or mechanical mechanisms.