CNC-machining of Commell LS-373 Heatsink...please help

Hello Guys,
I'm Melbourne (Australia) based, and am designing a small 3.5" Embedded Computer project.

I need to have a total silent, passive-cooled device, and have designed a small heatsink-interface piece, made out of 50mm(w) x 88mm(L)x25mm(h) aluminium.

This will connect the CPU and Northbridge on my Commell LS-373 motherboard to the "roof" of my extruded aluminium case, the donor which was an AAEON-6820 Industrial Computer.

Please find attached a screenshot, and if anyone is willing to make this, I have ready an AutoCAD design to specs.

Any idea on pricing on CNC-machining this "heatsink" will be appreciated.

Much obliged - pricing from the USA is fine, please indicate idea on shipping to 3109, Victoria, Australia too.

This is a low-volume, private endeavour, to be implemented in Carputer use - so bear that in mind when pricing

Thank you in advance.
Phillip aka mrbean

I might be able to help you out! I'm a bit far from you (Northwest United States), but am a machinist, and have a small CNC shop at my disposal. We routinely ship packages and crates "down under", so I should be able to get a decent rate on shipping, as well.

I've PM'ed you with my contact info.

Freedom,

What are your prices like on average? Do you have a website? I get my stuff CNC'd in Australia and I'd like to move that a bit closer!
Also, are you capable of anodizing aluminum?

Give me a shout :)

Hi, Colin!

I don't have a website, and the shop is not my own. I work for a small company, and our shop serves our own manufacturing needs. But, since I only work 4 days a week for the company, I've worked out a deal with the owner to purchase time on the machines for side work (anything that doesn't compete with the company product line).

I can find a local shop for coatings, so that's not a problem. I'm in/near a large aerospace manufacturer (think passenger jets), so secondary processes and shops that do them are plentiful.

I quote jobs on an individual basis. Shop rate is fixed, material cost is variable, and my time is somewhat negotiable. I enjoy what I do, but I'm not looking to get rich off of it! Besides, my boss pays well... :)

mrbean_phillip be carefull what you are doing with my ex-motherboard :D

Lol at Dejan :) You will like what I'm doing to it, hehe - will show you some pics when I'm done. Tell you, it is a little screamer with Intel X25 G2 SSD, and Penryn 2.13gig!

@ Freedom First: Thanx Mate, will reply to you tonight - gotta run off to an Interwise Meeting quick, be back in an hour.....

A small progress update -> from post 1 above, to the reality - a big thank you to Brian Casten (member Freedom_First) for doing a beautiful job on machining a few blocks for me - they came out better than I ever hoped - the next 6 photos are ones Brian sent via email, the rest is my own.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...IMG_4902-2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...IMG_4897-2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...IMG_4896-2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...IMG_4895-2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...IMG_4903-2.jpg

and the side that will go against the roof/ceiling of the heatsink case:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...IMG_4899-2.jpg

And herewith a few progress-shots, fitting the block to the motherboard - note a few of these are test-fit pics only, the end-result would have the block sandwiched between the motherboard and the case.

This basically means that, althoug in some pictures the block is bolt directly to the motherboard, in reality there are holes drilled and tapped, in the roof of the case, and the screws from the cpu (x4) and Northbridge (x2) will pass through the block, and blot into the case.

This will give a decent clamping-force, so that heat is properly transferred from cpu/nb to the heatsink-case. Also, this will avoid stressing the board, by overly tightening the 4 mounting-holes on the periphery of the motherboard, just to get a decent pressure.....

The case uses was sourced of Ebay, and genrally comes with Aeeon systems, containing anything from 750mhz to 1gig Via 3.5" SBC Industrial Computers.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...C/DSCF5058.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...C/DSCF5047.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...C/DSCF5060.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...C/DSCF5048.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...C/DSCF5045.jpg

And a few showing how it mounts to the board, and then finally, assembled and bolted to the case.....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...C/DSCF5040.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...C/DSCF5037.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...C/DSCF5035.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...C/DSCF5055.jpg

In the next 3 shots, I have used properly sized allen-cap bolts to secure the motnerboard to the
roof of the case, ie the bolts pass through the interface-block, and sandwiches it proper. Works
very well, and temps settle at around high 40's for the cpu, after an hour in the BIOS - which
pretty much loads the system around 80% - not bad for a totally silent, passive-cooled system.

Even if it does go up to low-mid sixties, it is perfectly fine, and would not cause a problem at all.
These mobile setups van handle/tolerate the heat better than nmost out there, just do yourself
the favor and look at your laptop-temps every so often. My Santa-Rosa based IBM T61p idles at
mid-high 60's...


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...C/DSCF5054.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...C/DSCF5052.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...C/DSCF5051.jpg

I will take more pics during the week, I have mounted the Intel 80gb SSD, as well as Sata CF adapter,
routed the power-cabling to these 2 devices, and have the SSD running. I need to source another proper
angled SATA cable to connect the CF adapter.

Good progress though, and the front and back plates will be done next - I have a nice piece of left-over
material from one of my Lian-Li casemods, so I will do a new IO-plate, and front cover for the Aeeon case.

Will keep you posted :)

Awesome machine work, and looks like a great project :)