Need some metal clad.

[itsmoked]

I'm working with LEDs and am wondering if this "metal clad" PCB material is some available material, or something esoteric.

Anybody ever use this stuff?

What's it called?

Sources?

Keith Cress
Flamin Systems, Inc.-

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[MacGyverS2000]

I believe MCPCB (metal core PCB) is what you're talking about, Keith. I've never looked for a supplier of raw board as I typically just specify it on the drawing and let the board house pick it up.

I believe one brand name is Aluma-Core, or something like that.

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

 

[mcgyvr]

http://www.bergquistcompany.com/thermal_substrates.cfm

 

[itsmoked]

Oh, outstanding Dan!

I figured you'd know Mr. LED.

Thanks.

Running aliases are we?

You need to work on that a little. They're a little um.. ah.. too similar.

Keith Cress
Flamin Systems, Inc.-

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[IRstuff]

Metal core boards are a staple of military avionics, but, they also require the appropriate chassis hardware to complement the thermal conductivity. On some high performance systems, the rails are thermally conductive, and the chassis is water-cooled.

TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[itsmoked]

Ahhh, That's what I'm seeing in the "rail cooling" comments. I was wondering. That sounds like a neat solution.

I'm still not clear on the aspects of production. If you have some metal clad board how do you get trace areas etched out of it. Especially if it is "10oz" aluminum. I doubt the standard copper etching systems would do that. Meaning = $$$$$.

Keith Cress
Flamin Systems, Inc.-

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[MacGyverS2000]

The aluminum can be considered simply a backer to a standard single-layer PCB, with a dielectric in between. Standard practices are used for etching the copper layer. Any connections between components and the aluminum heatsink are created by etching away the dielectric, as if it was a layer of copper. Cost difference between a standard multi-layer PCB and a MCPCB should be minimal.


Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

 

[itsmoked]

I see now. Thanks Dan.

Keith Cress
Flamin Systems, Inc.-

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[jimkirk]

You might also look into Ozark Circuits

http://www.ocipcb.com/

Ozark is a board house that specializes in heavy copper and thermal management. In fact I have a few sample boards from them laid out for several Luxeon LEDs. I think they use Bergquist materials, maybe others.

 

[MacGyverS2000]

I'll have to try Ozark next time I need some OCPCB, see what their prices are like and the quality of their home-grown boards.

You have to love a company that has "Quakity Control" ;-)

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

 

[itsmoked]

Man.. Reminds me of my out-of-college job hunt. I was invited to Lawrence Livermore Labs to interview. I brought a resume. On it, I spelled 'vacuum' wrong. The first guy I gave it to looked at my resume then circled the misspelled word in red felt pen. I was forced to walk around interviewing in all these various departments with this resume marked "wrong". Needless to say I got no offer. But I certainly learned from that.

jimkirk; Big thanks for that tip. I will certainly go for a spin there.


Keith Cress
Flamin Systems, Inc.-

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[Noway2]

I guess you could say that your 'vacuum' really sucked, but then I would have to wonder if that is a good thing or a bad thing.