What This Heat Pipe Heatsink Cooler Does — And the Numbers That Matter This is a bonded-fin heat pipe heatsink cooler built for high-density thermal loads — think IGBT modules, laser diodes, and CPU/G
This is a bonded-fin heat pipe heatsink cooler built for high-density thermal loads — think IGBT modules, laser diodes, and CPU/GPU arrays. We machine the copper or aluminum base plate, press-fit or solder the heat pipes, and CNC-skim the mating surface to a flatness of 0.02 mm. You get a thermal resistance drop of 25–40% compared to a solid aluminum extrusion of the same volume. Tolerances hold at ±0.01 mm on critical mounting holes, base parallelism stays within 0.03 mm, and the base hardness reaches 48 HRC (T6 temper for aluminum, H02 for copper). Lead time for prototypes is 15 days, production runs ship in 20–25 days. Every unit is inspected, not sampled.
We use two methods, and you choose based on your vibration profile and thermal budget. Solder bonding (lead-free SAC305) gives a void rate under 2%, measured by X-ray, and a contact resistance of 0.01 °C/W. Press-fit into CNC-machined grooves gives a 0.02 mm interference fit — no solder voids, but slightly higher thermal resistance (0.03 °C/W). For both, we CNC-machine the pipe grooves with a custom form tool, not a standard end mill, so the pipe-to-wall contact area is maximized. Runout on the pipe assembly is held to 0.05 mm across the entire heat pipe length. This is not a stamped and crimped part — it’s a machined interface.
Base plate options: C1100 copper (oxygen-free, 101% IACS conductivity) or 6061-T6 aluminum (hardness 48 HRC equivalent in the T6 condition). Fins are either 1100 aluminum (0.2 mm thick, 2.5 mm pitch) or C1020 copper (0.15 mm thick, 2.0 mm pitch). We machine fin slots with a 0.5 mm carbide saw, not EDM, so the fin edges stay burr-free under 0.05 mm. For copper bases, we apply a nickel-plate finish (3–5 µm) to prevent oxidation before solder reflow. If you need a heat pipe with a sintered wick, we source from a partner with 10 years of heat pipe manufacturing — but we do all the machining and assembly in-house. Hardness is verified on every batch with a Rockwell tester, not a guess.
The bottom face — the one that touches your CPU or IGBT — is the most critical. We hold flatness to 0.02 mm across the full base (up to 300 mm x 300 mm). Surface finish is Ra 0.4 µm on the mating face, which is fine enough for a 0.05 mm TIM layer without pumping out. Mounting holes are drilled and reamed to ±0.01 mm, with true position of 0.05 mm relative to the datum. If you need a lapped finish, we go to Ra 0.2 µm on request — no extra cost under 100 pcs. For your reference on how we achieve these numbers, read our CNC machining tolerances guide — it explains the difference between standard, precision, and high-precision classes we can apply to your drawing.
We don't ship based on a first-article report. Every single Heat Pipe Heatsink Cooler goes through a three-stage inspection. First, a coordinate measuring machine (CMM) checks all critical dimensions (±0.01 mm) — that's 30–40 points per part, logged and traceable. Second, a digital X-ray unit scans the solder joint for voids — we reject any unit with void area over 2%. Third, a thermal test rig (heated copper block, thermocouple grid) measures the actual thermal resistance at 80 W input. If it deviates more than 5% from the theoretical value, we rework or scrap it. You get a PDF report with the serial number of every unit in your shipment. That’s our definition of precision manufacturing, made in China with zero shortcuts.
Prototype (1–5 pcs): 15 days. Pilot run (20–50 pcs): 18 days. Production (500+ pcs): 20–25 days. We have no MOQ — order one unit for testing, we'll machine it with the same tooling and care as a 10,000-piece run. The difference is in setup time: for prototypes, we use standard toolholders and manual probing; for production, we use custom fixtures and in-process gauging. For your tooling choices, see our CNC cutting tool selection guide — it explains how we choose carbide grades for copper vs. aluminum, which directly affects your surface finish and cost. We are a 20-year factory in Dongguan with 35 CNC machining centers, 12 stamping presses, and 6 spring coiling machines — heat sinks are not a side business for us, they are a core product line.
Heat pipes are fragile — a 0.5 mm dent at the wrong spot kills the capillary action. We pack each unit in a custom EVA foam insert, with the heat pipes suspended in a cavity — no contact with the box walls. For copper bases, we apply VCI (vapor corrosion inhibitor) paper, not just plastic wrap. Each box is sealed with a desiccant pack and a humidity indicator card. For air freight, we use double-wall corrugated boxes tested to ISTA 2A standards. For sea freight, we add a wooden pallet with anti-slip sheets and edge protectors. You will not receive a bent heat pipe on your desk — we've shipped over 200,000 heat sink units since 2018, and the damage rate is under 0.1%.
Send us a STEP or IGES file, plus a 2D PDF with critical dimension callouts. If you don't have a drawing yet, send us a photo of the existing heatsink and the thermal load (in watts) and ambient temperature. We'll suggest a fin density and heat pipe count within 48 hours. We can also reverse-engineer a competitor's part — we've done that for 30+ clients. Just tell us the mounting hole pattern and the component footprint. We will machine a sample, test it on our rig, and send you the thermal data before you commit to a production order. That's how we work — no MOQ, no minimum order quantity, no pressure. Just precision manufacturing and honest numbers.
| Specification | Value / Range |
|---|---|
| Base Material | C1100 Copper (101% IACS) or 6061-T6 Aluminum |
| Fin Material | 1100 Aluminum (0.2 mm) or C1020 Copper (0.15 mm) |
| Base Hardness | 48 HRC (Aluminum T6) / 40 HRC (Copper H02) |
| Mating Face Flatness | 0.02 mm (up to 300 x 300 mm base) |
| Surface Finish (mating face) | Ra 0.4 µm (Ra 0.2 µm optional) |
| Hole Tolerance | ±0.01 mm (drilled and reamed) |
| True Position (holes) | 0.05 mm relative to datum |
| Heat Pipe Runout | 0.05 mm across full pipe length |
| Solder Void Rate | <2% (X-ray verified) |
| Thermal Resistance (solder bond) | 0.01 °C/W contact resistance |
| Lead Time (prototype) | 15 days |
| Lead Time (production) | 20–25 days |
| MOQ | No MOQ — 1 piece accepted |
| Inspection | 100% CMM + X-ray + thermal test, per serial number |
Yes, we have no MOQ. We machine a single prototype with the same CNC programs and inspection routine as a 10,000-piece run. The per-unit price is higher due to setup time, but you get a fully testable, serialized part.
Send us the drawing or a physical sample. We'll measure the pattern on our CMM and re-create it with true position of 0.05 mm. We do this regularly for customers replacing an obsolete supplier.
We use a digital X-ray system with a 5 µm resolution. Each heat pipe joint is scanned, and the void area is calculated by software. Any unit above 2% void is rejected — not reworked, rejected. This is standard, not a premium service.
For an in-stock aluminum base with standard pipe layout, we can ship in 10 days. For a fully custom copper design with solder bonding, the fastest is 15 days. Overnight air freight to the US takes 2–3 days from our Dongguan factory.
Send your drawing to sc@bquq.com or WhatsApp +86 13713157787. We reply with a firm quote — price, lead time, and inspection plan — within 12 hours. No MOQ, no hidden tooling fees, no generic promises. Just precision manufacturing, made in China, with numbers you can verify.
| Parameter | Capability |
|---|---|
| Materials | AL6063/6061/5052, pure copper C1100, copper-aluminum composite |
| Process | Extrusion, CNC machining, skiving, forging, die casting, stamping fins |
| Fin Types | Extruded, pin fin, skived, folded, bonded, heat pipe, vapor chamber |
| Surface | Black anodizing, clear anodizing, nickel plating, powder coating |
| Size Range | Max 1500 x 400 x 300 mm |
| Thermal Test | Thermal resistance and heat dissipation data per batch |
| Prototype | 5-7 days, no MOQ on samples |
| Inspection | CMM, thermal resistance tester, full report per batch |
