Gun Drilled Cold Plate is a type of industrial liquid cold plate manufactured from a solid metal block (aluminum or copper), where internal cooling channels are formed by precision gun drilling (deep-hole drilling) rather than welding, brazing, or tube embedding.
This structure delivers excellent thermal performance, superior mechanical strength, and extremely low leakage risk, making it ideal for high-power, high-reliability liquid cooling applications such as EV power electronics, IGBT modules, SiC inverters, energy storage systems, and industrial laser equipment.
A Gun Drilled Cold Plate is a one-piece machined liquid cooling plate in which straight internal flow channels are created using gun drilling technology with high depth-to-diameter ratios.
Cooling fluid flows directly through drilled channels
Heat transfers from electronic components → metal base → internal coolant
No large-area welding, no brazed joints, no embedded tubes
Key structural concept:
“Cooling channels are part of the solid metal body itself.”
Solid aluminum or copper billet
Common grades: Aluminum 6061 / 6082, Copper C1100 / C101
Deep straight holes drilled with gun drilling machines
High aspect ratio (typically 20:1–50:1)
Excellent straightness and surface finish
Ends sealed using threaded plugs, welded plugs, or interference-fit sealing
Pressure-tested to ensure leak-free operation
CNC machining for mounting surfaces
Port machining (G1/4, NPT, custom)
Surface treatments: anodizing, passivation, nickel plating (optional)
One-piece metal body
No long weld seams or brazed interfaces
Excellent resistance to vibration and pressure
Minimal sealing points
Lower failure risk compared to welded or brazed cold plates
Coolant channels positioned close to heat source
Efficient heat extraction for high heat flux applications
Suitable for high flow rate and high pressure liquid cooling systems
Ideal for automotive and industrial standards
No solder fatigue
No weld cracking
Stable performance over long-term operation
Aluminum Gun Drilled Cold Plate
Lightweight
Cost-effective
Widely used in EV and power electronics
Copper Gun Drilled Cold Plate
Higher thermal conductivity
Used for extreme heat density applications
Deionized water
Water–glycol mixtures
Dielectric cooling fluids (application dependent)
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Material | Aluminum 6061 / 6082, Copper C1100 |
| Plate Thickness | 10 – 60 mm (customizable) |
| Channel Diameter | Ø3 – Ø12 mm |
| Channel Quantity | 2 – 20+ |
| Channel Layout | Parallel straight channels |
| Surface Flatness | ≤0.05 mm |
| Working Pressure | Up to 1.5–3.0 MPa |
| Operating Temperature | -40°C to 120°C |
| Coolant Type | Water / Glycol / Coolant Oil |
| Connection Type | G1/4, NPT, Custom |
| Manufacturing Method | Gun drilling + CNC machining |
EV inverter liquid cooling
IGBT / SiC power module cold plates
Energy storage system (ESS) cooling
Industrial power supply cooling
Laser power source cooling
High-power industrial electronics
| Aspect | Gun Drilled | FSW Liquid Cold Plate |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | One-piece solid body | Milled channel + welded cover |
| Welding | No | Yes (FSW) |
| Strength | Very high | High |
| Leakage Risk | Very low | Low |
| Design Flexibility | Medium | High |
| Typical Use | High reliability systems | Mass production EV systems |
| Aspect | Gun Drilled | Tube Liquid Cold Plate |
|---|---|---|
| Cooling Channel | Drilled metal body | Embedded tube |
| Thermal Contact | Direct | Indirect |
| Cooling Efficiency | High | Medium |
| Cost | Medium | Low |
| Power Density | High | Medium |
| Reliability | High | Medium |
| Aspect | Gun Drilled | Brazed Liquid Cold Plate |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | Machining + sealing | Multi-layer vacuum brazing |
| Weld/Braze Joints | Minimal | Extensive |
| Pressure Resistance | High | Medium |
| Channel Complexity | Straight | Complex |
| Leakage Risk | Very low | Medium |
| Typical Application | Industrial / Automotive | Servers / Telecom |
| Aspect | Gun Drilled Cold Plate | CPU Water Block |
|---|---|---|
| Application Level | Module / System level | Chip level |
| Channel Size | Millimeter-scale | Microchannels |
| Pressure Drop | Low | High |
| Structural Strength | High | Medium |
| Use Environment | Industrial | IT / Data center |
| Reliability Requirement | Extremely high | Performance-focused |
Suitable for high power density and high reliability systems
Ideal for environments with pressure cycling, vibration, and long service life
Lower risk of leakage compared to welded or brazed designs
Stable and predictable thermal performance
A: For maximum reliability and pressure resistance, gun drilled cold plates perform better. FSW cold plates are more flexible in channel design and better for large-scale production.
A: Yes. Due to their solid structure, they are suitable for high-pressure liquid cooling systems.
A: Absolutely. They are widely used for EV inverters, IGBT modules, and power electronics.
A: Yes. Channel diameter, spacing, quantity, and inlet/outlet positions are customizable within machining limits.
A: Aluminum is preferred for weight and cost balance; copper is selected for extreme thermal demands.
A: Each cold plate undergoes pressure testing and leak inspection before delivery.
A: Yes, depending on sealing method and material compatibility.
A: Prototype: 2–3 weeks; mass production depends on quantity and design complexity.
Kingka Tech Industrial Limited
We specialize in precision CNC machining and our products are widely used in telecommunication industry, aerospace, automotive, industrial control, power electronics, medical instruments, security electronics, LED lighting and multimedia consumption.
Address:
Da Long New Village, Xie Gang Town, Dongguan City, Guangdong Province, China 523598
Email:
Tel:
+86 137 1244 4018
