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ArcticMyst Security by Avery

New Experimental Heat Sink

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Jun 30, 2009
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Greetings
After reading so much about heat sinking the Aixiz module and how important it is to have one, I decided to build a prototype for my project. My project requires a way to mount the laser on a frame and not a host. After reviewing the ones I saw on the forum, I came to the conclusion I needed to make one. I always found the finned sinks to be very effective so I drew up a CAD drawing just for my application. As you will see the HS has a long fin on it, this will be drilled with 2 holes so I can mount to the frame. At the time I only had ½” piece of aluminum, but I have a 1” piece on the way because I want the HS to be one piece for the TB1 (Tri-Beam 1). I have found that after I did my CAD drawing the ideas for this the HS are endless. The solid part on the bottom, where the mounting fin is located is where the two set screws will be on the final version. I looked at the MXDL host and found that I could, (later down the road once I get my lathe) make a HS for this and several other hosts I have seen on the forum using my finned HS. I can make the diameter larger or smaller and as short as I want, 1 inch is as thick as I can get now, but this seems to be ok. The hard part was CADing the thing but it works well on the FLOW cutter. This is a very rough prototype for now so don’t judge to harshly, I will be using a higher quality aluminum and possible having them anodized. Let me know what you think, it is always great to get feedback, cause it’s always helpful.
Tymtravler
 

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Thanks, but like I said this was a real quick knock out. Wait till you see the REAL THING.
:drool:
 
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the only suggestion is finned heat sinks work best outside of enclosures where air can circulate through the fins
 
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Air will circulate through the fins on my TB1 project, and when I incorporate the heat sink in my MXDL that I have laying around,the face will be open in the front so air will be free to come in the front. I made a few HS's before, the first one was a finned HS for a Triode. Nuff said.
Tymtravler
 
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you new heatsink looks pretty cool can't wait to see the finished version ! :)as Chip said fins only work if air moves past them. having the front open on the MXDL would be better than closed but IMHO there will not be any flow across the fins as the back is closed. now if you could get a realy small fan in there that would make a differance. since you can not get air flow across fins in a closed space it would be better to put lots of metal around your diode to suck the heat away and make it tight to the host so the heat can transfer out !
bottom line have fun, don't get a piece of heatsink stuck in your eye LOL...

Peace All Pyro... :eg:

Air will circulate through the fins on my TB1 project, and when I incorporate the heat sink in my MXDL that I have laying around,the face will be open in the front so air will be free to come in the front. I made a few HS's before, the first one was a finned HS for a Triode. Nuff said.
Tymtravler
 
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Air will circulate through the fins on my TB1 project, and when I incorporate the heat sink in my MXDL that I have laying around,the face will be open in the front so air will be free to come in the front. I made a few HS's before, the first one was a finned HS for a Triode. Nuff said.
Tymtravler

you asked for advice, then you give attitude?
 
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Cool design.

Ideas? Make the fins not conical but cubical but maintaining the circular shape. It'll give you a little more heatsinking surface.

(I don't know if I made myself very clear..)
 
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? conical vs cubical

Cool design.

Ideas? Make the fins not conical but cubical but maintaining the circular shape. It'll give you a little more heatsinking surface.

(I don't know if I made myself very clear..)
 
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Chip
Please explain your statement, All I said was I made one for a triode NOT that I Know more than you, I just stated that I made one. If your refering to the NUFF SAID that is how I sign off on most posts. Also this application is a design for my project, it will have a fan to blow over the fins, just to clearify, but as always thanks for the great info, and I hope in a few months I will be answering questions, NOT asking!

HAGD

you asked for advice, then you give attitude?
 
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Not only do I think your design appears to be potentially effective, but I think that finned heatsinks look cool. You could have a lot of fun with your creative side once you get your own lathe and anodizing abilities. There are HUGE amounts of places and applications for LD heatsinks all over the place!

I see only one set screw in your design, which in most cases is fine, but I know that Darkhorse customs makes his with two... just a consideration.

Another consideration- We are beginning to deal with diodes (the 8X for example) that are getting much hotter. And longer duty cycles are always appreciated. And one thing I've seen is a direct- press design for the diodes for best heat transfer. Just my two cents.
 
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Wow thanks for the great comp. I know when I finish this for my project it will work just fine. This will have 2 set screws to hold the Aix in place and I did reduce the ID for the AIX to make it as tight a fit as possible, but still be able to remove with out a press, I do intend to try one with a direct press in diode and to be able to install the focusing lens in the front. As you said the tighter is better, but you still want to be able to pull it out when you want too. Oh and please check my post to make sure I didn't show an attitude, I always try to be friendly and thankful.
 
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GregH

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Could you use thermal paste (such as what is used in mounting CPUs) for contact rather than direct-pressing?
 

Benm

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I think these star shaped heatsinks are very nice, and its a proven form factor, though usually installed with the fins vertically (on transistors and such). If you want to run a few-100-mw laser continously at low tempeature they'd have to be a whole lot bigger though... either in diameter, length or both.

I'd say something covering the entire length of the aixiz with 1 inch fins is about the desireable size.
 




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