Cold Plate Base
Complex cavities · sealing grooves · datums
Machining Fields / Data Center Liquid Cooling
AI LIQUID COOLING MACHINING
AI Server & Data Center Liquid Cooling Parts Manufacturing
Precision manufacturing support for liquid cold plates, liquid cooling plates, cooling manifolds, valve blocks, connector seats and structural components used in AI servers, GPU modules and high-density data center liquid cooling systems.
- Complex flow channels and sealing grooves
- Critical dimensions and flatness control
- Prototype through low-to-medium volume production
Flow Channel Machining
Japanese CNC and 5-axis equipment
Sealed Joining
Laser welding and vacuum brazing
Distortion Control
Flatness and datum management
Deburring & Cleaning
Clean internal flow channels
Leak & Pressure Testing
Sealing performance verification
In-house Finishing
Blasting, mirror polishing and anodizing
LIQUID COOLING BASICS
What Is an AI Server Cold Plate?
An AI server cold plate is a liquid cooling component mounted directly on CPUs, GPUs or other high-power computing modules. Coolant flows through internal channels to remove heat from the chip and transfers it through manifolds, piping and the cooling loop.
A typical cold plate includes a top cover, internal flow channels, sealing features, a base plate and inlet/outlet ports. Precision CNC machining remains an important manufacturing method for structures with complex channels, multiple machined faces, sealing grooves and critical datums.
- Efficient Heat Transfer
- Uniform Temperature
- Compact Structure
- High Reliability
MACHINING SCOPE
Parts We Can Machine
From cold plate components to manifolds, interface blocks, mounting structures and dedicated fixtures, we support prototype and volume production from customer drawings.
Cold Plate Cover
Sealing faces · thin-wall features · pre-joining
Flow Channel Plate
Complex channels · accuracy · deburring
Liquid Cooling Manifold
Multi-channel distribution · passages · ports
Liquid Cooling Valve Block
Multi-face ports · threads · positional accuracy
Connector Block
Port positioning · sealing faces · coaxiality
Mounting Structure
Positioning · structural support · multi-datum control
Machining Fixture
Dedicated locating · clamping · repeatability
MANUFACTURING PROCESS
Process Capabilities & Manufacturing Route
From precision machining and joining to cleaning, finishing and inspection, the process route is selected according to material, structure and technical requirements.
Precision CNC Machining
Milling, drilling, tapping and datum control
5-Axis Machining
Complex surfaces and multi-angle features
Laser Welding
Low heat input and distortion control
Vacuum Brazing
Reliable sealed joining for cold plate assemblies
Deburring & Cleaning
Internal channels, cross holes and residue control
Surface Finishing
Blasting, mirror polishing and anodizing
Leak & Pressure Testing
Leakage, pressure and sealing verification
Dimensional Inspection
Critical dimensions, datums and appearance
The actual process route is configured according to material, structure and technical requirements; not every part goes through every process.
APPLICATION TYPES
Applicable Product Types
Supporting a wide range of cold plates, manifolds and integrated structures for AI servers, GPU and CPU computing modules.
CNC-Machined Channel Cold Plate 
Central-Diffusion Copper-Tube Cold Plate 
Vacuum-Brazed Multilayer Cold Plate 
Copper Skived-Fin Microchannel Cold Plate 
Radial-Flow Fin Cold Plate 
Two-Phase Evaporative Cold Plate 
GPU Liquid-Cooling Assembly 
Liquid-Cooling Manifold Block 
CNC-Machined Multiport Manifold
CRITICAL TO QUALITY
Critical Quality & Engineering Points (CTQ)
| Critical item | Why it matters | Control focus |
|---|---|---|
| Flatness | Affects contact pressure and interface thermal resistance | Overall flatness, local warpage and datum consistency |
| Surface roughness | Affects sealing, contact and heat-transfer interfaces | Sealing faces, contact surfaces and machining-mark consistency |
| Channel dimensions | Affects flow distribution and system pressure drop | Channel width, depth, section consistency and transition radii |
| Seal groove | Affects sealing performance and pressure resistance | Groove width, depth, position and surface quality |
| Port position | Affects assembly accuracy and connection sealing | Position, coaxiality, perpendicularity and thread quality |
| Burrs & cleanliness | Affects blockage risk and system reliability | Internal deburring, particle control, cleaning and reinspection |
| Joint reliability | Affects leak tightness, pressure resistance and service life | Weld or braze quality, leak testing and pressure testing |
ENGINEERING FAQ
Common Engineering Questions
- Q Which liquid-cooling structures are suitable for CNC machining?
- A CNC machining is suitable for thick plates, cavities, primary channels, sealing faces, mounting holes and port features, as well as prototypes and low-to-medium production volumes.
- Q How can microchannel cold plates be manufactured?
- A The process depends on material, channel size and aspect ratio. Options include CNC machining, skiving, chemical etching, laser processing and bonded multilayer construction.
- Q Why is the seal groove critical in cold-plate machining?
- A The groove directly affects seal compression, pressure resistance and long-term reliability, so width, depth, position, roughness and burrs must be controlled together.
- Q What materials are commonly used for liquid cold plates, and how do aluminum and copper compare?
- A Aluminum alloys and copper are the most common choices. Aluminum offers lower weight, good machinability and lower cost for many server cold plates, while copper provides higher thermal conductivity for high heat-flux applications. The final choice should also consider coolant compatibility, joining method, surface treatment and cost.
RFQ REQUIREMENTS
Information Required for Quotation
2D Drawing
PDF / DWG
3D Model
STEP / IGES
Material
Grade / temper
Quantity
Prototype / volume
Critical Dimensions
Tolerances / datums
Port Requirements
Threads / connectors
Surface Treatment
Anodizing / plating
Testing
Leak / pressure
Cleanliness
Particles / residues
Packaging & Traceability
Protection / lot ID
TECHNICAL RESOURCES
Related Technical Resources
- AI Server Cold Plate Manufacturing: CNC, Brazing or Microchannels? View details
- Aluminum vs. Copper Liquid Cold Plates: Materials and Processes View details
- How Are Microchannel Cold Plates Manufactured? View details
- Cold Plate Sealing, Flatness, Leak and Pressure Testing View details
Resources will be updated with practical guidance on materials, structures, manufacturing, quality control and validation.
