Manufacturing Differences
Extruded and skived heat sinks are manufactured using different processes.
These manufacturing methods determine fin geometry, production cost,
and thermal performance. The appropriate solution depends on the application requirements.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Extruded | Skived |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing Method | Aluminum Extrusion | Skiving |
| Initial Tooling | Extrusion Die Required | No Extrusion Die Required |
| Unit Cost | Lower in High Volumes | Higher per Part |
| Fin Thickness | Moderate | Very Thin |
| Fin Density | Moderate | High |
| Cooling Capability | Good Thermal Performance | Higher Thermal Performance |
| Base Construction | Extruded as One Piece | Fins Skived from Base |
| Production Volume | Medium to High | Low to Medium |
| Typical Applications | LED Lighting Industrial Electronics Power Supplies | Power Modules Telecom Equipment Power Electronics |
| Typical Airflow | Natural or Forced Convection | Primarily Forced Convection |
Design Considerations When Selecting a Heat Sink
Selecting the right heat sink requires balancing thermal performance, available space, manufacturing requirements, and production cost. Key design considerations include:
● Heat Dissipation – Meet the required cooling performance.
● Available Space – Fit the installation dimensions.
● Airflow – Match fin spacing to the cooling airflow.
● Mounting Features – Consider mounting and machining requirements.
● Production Volume – Extruded heat sinks suit higher volumes, while skived heat sinks are ideal for prototypes and low-volume production.
Fin Structure Comparison
Extruded heat sinks typically have moderate fin density, while skived heat sinks can achieve thinner fins and higher fin density, providing more surface area for heat dissipation.
Choose Extruded Heat Sinks If You Need
- Cost-effective for medium to high production volumes
- Integrated features such as mounting slots, screw bosses and guide rails
- Suitable for standard thermal performance requirements
- Consistent quality in large production runs
- Custom extrusion profiles tailored to your product design
- Easy integration with CNC machining and surface finishing
Choose Skived Heat Sinks If You Need
- Higher fin density within a limited footprint
- Higher thermal performance without increasing heat sink size
- Thin fins beyond conventional extrusion capabilities
- No extrusion die required for custom designs
- Prototype or sample production without extrusion tooling
- Shorter lead time for initial projects
Need a Custom Heat Sink?
Glary manufactures custom extruded and skived aluminum heat sinks with CNC machining and surface finishing according to your specifications.
Or email us directly: sophia@glarysh.com