Welcome to Laser Pointer Forums - discuss green laser pointers, blue laser pointers, and all types of lasers

LPF Donation via Stripe | LPF Donation - Other Methods

Links below open in new window

ArcticMyst Security by Avery

Anyone use both Epoxy AND Thermal Paste to attach a driver

Joined
Feb 25, 2010
Messages
1,643
Points
113
Thanx to DTR and the idea to use a 1.00 USD coin for use as a driver heatsink for the MicroFlex V5 in a Guidesman host 445 LD build.

I used my drill press to lathe down a 1.125" OD copper rod for the diode heatsink. I know....."Hill Billy Lathe"...but it WORKS !!!!

Anyway...Has anyone ever used BOTH thermal paste( OCZ freeze) AND regular epoxy to mount a V5 to a heatsink? I have some Artic Thermal epoxy ordered...but I was thinking...It is likely that ANY thermal paste will have a better thermal transfer rate than a Thermal epoxy.....so....why do we need to use thermal epoxy ??? Why not apply a small amount of thermal paste to the heatsink...press the driver into this, secure with aligator clips. Then apply two small amounts of epoxy to either side of the driver to secure the driver board to the coin.

I think this would deliver a slightly improved thermal transfer. I was just curious...has anyone has ever done this ???? Going this way I could keep this project moving !!

Thanx,
CDBEAM
Terrawatt Labs
 
Last edited:





Joined
May 25, 2010
Messages
3,655
Points
0
I know thee are a few DIY Thermal Epoxy on the Internet:
Need Thermal Epoxy? – Make Your Own | Overclockers

His results seem promising.

The only problem i see is that it will not be as pure by making your own.

But your idea seem to be not that bad. But i do think there will be less heat transfer if the epoxy was not mixed together with the thermal paste. It also might not be as sticky.

Would be nice to see the acutely results from this.

Hope the DIY Thermal paste link Helps you out. It wont be as pure as say Arctic Silver Epoxy or Alumina but it will get the job done.

But i dont think it will work as good with a LM style driver as the heat that comes off one of those is alot.

So for your project and heatsinking the Microboost driver i think it is Fine to use DIY made Thermal epoxy.
 
Last edited:
Joined
Feb 25, 2010
Messages
1,643
Points
113
Thanx Laz,

I do not want to DIY Epoxy + Paste....I was thinking paste between the driver PCB and the heat sink...AND just applying two " Wings " of epoxy to hold the driver down on the Heatsink. Keeping the " Peas and Carrots" seperate if you will. This might give slightly improved heat transfer. I will be crankin the V5 all the way up....so that is why I want to max the transfer !!

Why ??? you ask...." The Never Ending Goal to acheive Perfection "....that said...I suppose we should use as close to pure Silver coin as possible.....but it will NOT be $1.00...that's for sure !!
Don't forget, I like to slap Anamorphic Prisms on the pointer biz end to correct the 445nm beam !!

CDBEAM
Terrawatt Labs
 
Joined
May 25, 2010
Messages
3,655
Points
0
I think that you will be fine what you want to do. :) The Flex does get hot but with a Little thermal paste in between the V5 and the heatsink and held in place with some Epoxy should be enough.

As long as its a tight hold you should be good.:beer:
 
Joined
Dec 6, 2008
Messages
1,581
Points
63
CDBEAM;

I have used thermal compound under a star . . .

with epoxy to hold the star pressed down with a weight.

It has worked well in my application.

I have also made a thermal adhesive . . .

by mixing aluminum oxide with epoxy.

Both ways need a quality epoxy resin.

LarryDFW
 
Last edited:
Joined
Feb 25, 2010
Messages
1,643
Points
113
Thanx Larry,

I see that you, me and Dr. Terrell are ALL up late ...eating our milk and cookies !!!! :eg:
I will likely try the dual Epoxy + Paste idea !!

I was just thinnin !! The Guidesman host is low priced ( $ 6.99 at Menards ) and is a good host for the 445 due it's larger dia. for a healthy slug of Copper as LD heatsink. Copper remains a Royal PITA to work with though !!! Someone suggested to aneal it to improve the machineabillity...have not tried that yet...I might !!

Latter,
CDBEAM
Terrawatt Labs
 
Last edited:
Joined
Jul 17, 2010
Messages
2,160
Points
0
I've been trying a new approach myself. I used Arctic Silver Paste and then Thermal Silicone Adhesive to hold everything down. This seems to be working well so far, but I still need to let things run a bit longer before I'll stamp off on it.
 
Joined
Feb 25, 2010
Messages
1,643
Points
113
Great minds DO think alike Coherent !! haha

If we were completely AR about this...we would heat pipe the driver heatsink !!:drool:

The only every so slight concern I would have is....what is the thermal transfer rate of the Silicon Adhesive ??? For sure it would be undesireable to thermally insulate the PCB in any way !!

That said...Engineering is always a series of compromises !!!

CDBEAM
Terrawatt Labs
 
Joined
Jul 17, 2010
Messages
2,160
Points
0
It's Thermally conductive silicone, but I'm not sure of the exact specs as far as heat transfer rate. I could probably get by just using it for the drivers that are not running hard.
 
Joined
Dec 29, 2009
Messages
3,136
Points
63
I've used thermal paste to interface it and epoxy afterwards around the edges for a temporary setup. Never tried actually mixing, though.
 




Top