How Advanced Manufacturing Creates Innovative Heat Exchangers

When it comes to meeting the more demanding thermal management needs of advancing technologies, heat exchangers can often offer several significant advantages. Their more streamlined designs allow them to fit more effectively into the smaller spaces provided by newer technology designs. Their continuous, looped transfer of electrical waste heat makes them more easily manageable in the long run. And, because they don’t rely on older cooling methods that utilized chilled air, heat exchangers can be designed for a wider variety of innovative applications. It all starts with the heat exchanger design process, which begins with a thorough design analysis and continues with advanced manufacturing processes that help ensure optimal results.

Making thermal management a key design factor

For many modern applications, the most effective way to ensure optimal thermal management is to make it a key factor in the system’s design process. Rather than adding a cooling solution as an after-thought, designing the system with an efficient thermal management system from the beginning is the best way to ensure the system will perform optimally. In advanced heat exchanger manufacturing, this process can be all contained in-house, allowing various teams from both the thermal management side and the system’s design team to collaborate throughout the process.

Studying the design’s feasibility first

Before creating and testing a heat exchanger, teams can perform a heat exchanger feasibility study to ensure the design will work. A feasibility study is a multi-step process where every aspect of a heat exchanger’s design is tested virtually under the intended application’s operating conditions. If the study reveals any weak points in the heat exchangers’ design or a discrepancy that will affect its ability to perform, then design and manufacturing teams can make adjustments as necessary, further refining the heat exchanger before producing it.

Creating prototypes before final products

Even with a well-coordinated and diverse group of experts working together, there is always a chance that some small calculation may be off. One of the final steps before creating a heat exchanger is to rapidly create 3D prototypes of the unit’s components. These prototypes can be used to test the heat exchanger’s various components in a real-world setting and iron out any discrepancies in the design of it.

For more information about how advanced manufacturing creates more innovative heat exchangers, call Noren Thermal Solutions in Taylor, TX, at 866-936-6736.