Many heat sinks cannot be used immediately after their primary forming process.

Even when an aluminum profile has already been extruded, additional machining is usually required to transform it into a finished component that fits the customers assembly.

CNC machining can be used to create mounting holes, threaded holes, pockets, slots, cutouts, component clearances, and accurately machined contact surfaces. Fly cutting or milling may also be used to improve the contact surface between the heat sink and the heat-generating component.

This is particularly important because effective cooling depends not only on the fins but also on the thermal interface between the component and the heat sink base.

Poor contact can increase thermal resistance and reduce the effectiveness of an otherwise well-designed cooling structure.

As a result, extrusion and precision machining often work together rather than functioning as completely separate manufacturing methods.

For more information about CNC secondary operations within the heat sink production process, visit: https://www.kingkametal.com/blog/125/