Abstract: Disclosed herein are apparatus, methods, and techniques directed to the manufacturing of heat sinks; specifically the forming of heat sink fins which are joined to a base or substrate so to collectively form a heat sink. Said methods permit full penetration at weld joints between said heat sink fins and said base, and said apparatus permit implementation of improved heat sink manufacturing in a production setting; specifically, in the production of LED lighting fixtures.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided that can be utilized for accurate pre-aiming and installation of devices. The devices are pre-set to an aiming orientation relative to a universal reference plane. The reference plane is then correlated to a feature of a pole, tower, or other structure that will be used to elevate or suspend the devices. A position sensing subsystem is utilized to inform a worker when each device is correctly angularly oriented to the reference plane. The worker simply moves the mounting structure for the device to the correct three-dimensional angular orientation, uses the position sensor to confirm the correct orientation to within a highly accurate margin of error, and either locks the device in that orientation or marks the orientation. The pole, tower, or other elevating structure is then preliminarily erected at its pre-designed location and pre-designed rotational orientation with the pre-aimed devices.