Thermal resistance measuring service

Cool Enough Testing – thermal resistance measuring service for cooling element prototypes

Our Cool Enough Testing service is intended for machine, device and light fitting designers and manufacturers whose products contain power electronics that require air or liquid cooling.

The aim of the service is to find out how much heat the cooling element in question can transfer away from the electronic components. The testing is done to discover the cooling element’s thermal resistance value.

It’s very important to have the right size and model of cooling board. An undersized element will overheat the components, causing short circuits, breakdowns or hardware failure. A dysfunctional machine or device always causes losses or notices of defects. If a device has an oversized element, you are paying for nothing.

Large companies employ simulation programmes in their product development to define the heat transfer capacity of the required cooling element at the design phase. Many factors, such as the direction and shape of the fins, will affect an element’s heat transfer capacity. This is why reliable information about heat transfer capacity will only be achieved in an actual test situation. When approximate thermal resistance values have been discovered through prototype testing, it’s easier to continue the actual simulation if needed.

Cool Enough Testing can be used to find out the heat transfer capacity of different element models. Testing also provides answers to how the heat transfer capacity is affected by possible air gaps in the profile, surface roughness or small changes in the distances between fins.

Thanks to our testing service, we already have numerous results that help us to assess the optimal element faster. This also speeds up our customer’s product development and reduces their expenses.

Our Cool Enough Testing service is useful for both large and small manufacturers. Cooling elements that are made in serial production have ready-tested thermal resistance values. However, machines and devices vary and serial production elements may be disadvantageous alternatives either in shape or heat transfer capacity, or both. By ordering your own prototype and testing it, you will achieve just the right level of heat transfer capacity. This way, the product manufacturer gets an optimally sized cooling element and ensures that the electronics stay cool and that the machine or device functions well.

When you want to make a prototype, don’t hesitate to contact us. We will talk you through what basic data is needed to ensure a successfully manufactured prototype.

Checklist for customers: The following information will help us to choose the best element for your needs

1. What kinds of components does the device, machine or light fitting have and how much heat does it generate?

2. What are the components’ measurements and restrictions on the outer dimensions?

3. Will the device have a fan?

4. If the device has a fan, what is its flow rate? (if you know it)

5. What machine, device or light fitting will the cooling element be installed in?

6. What is the average temperature or extreme temperature it will be used in?

7. Which kind of a solution would be best for your element: single or twin-bonded?

8. Please provide us with basic data about the model and size of the element or send us a workshop drawing or 3D model. Check the instructions for dimensioning the add-on. This will reduce the likelihood of errors and speed up the manufacture of the prototype. If you need any help with dimensioning, please contact us. We are happy to help.

9. We will ask for any additional information we may need by phone. You will receive a quote for the manufacture of the prototype and its testing within a week.

10. After the quote has been accepted, we will make the prototype and test it. The testing will provide us with the applicable values and information on the adequacy of the prototype’s heat transfer capacity. If necessary, we will make a new prototype or prototypes in order to achieve an element that is the right model for you and with suitable and functional heat transfer capacity.

11. The element will be priced according to annual production or batch or series size.

12. Manufacture will begin within a period ranging from a week to two months, depending on the tools required for the element.