Intel Xeon X3440 BX80605X3440 User Manual

Thermal/Mechanical Specifications and Design Guidelines

29

The Independent Loading Mechanism (ILM) provides the force needed to seat the 
1156-LGA land package onto the socket contacts. The ILM is physically separate from 
the socket body. The assembly of the ILM to the board is expected to occur after wave 
solder. The exact assembly location is dependent on manufacturing preference and test 
flow. See the Manufacturing Advantage Service collateral for this platform for additional 
guidance.

The ILM has two critical functions: deliver the force to seat the processor onto the 

socket contacts and distribute the resulting compressive load evenly through the socket 

solder joints. 

The mechanical design of the ILM is integral to the overall functionality of the LGA1156 

socket. Intel performs detailed studies on integration of processor package, socket and 

ILM as a system. These studies directly impact the design of the ILM. The Intel 

reference ILM will be “build to print” from Intel controlled drawings. Intel recommends 

using the Intel Reference ILM. Custom non-Intel ILM designs do not benefit from Intel's 

detailed studies and may not incorporate critical design parameters.

The ILM consists of two assemblies that will be procured as a set from the enabled 
vendors. These two components are ILM cover assembly and back plate. To secure the 
two assemblies, two types of fasteners are required a pair (2) of standard 6-32 thread 
screws and a custom 6-32 thread shoulder screw. The reference design incorporates a 
T-20 Torx* head fastener. The Torx* head fastener was chosen to ensure end users do 
not inadvertently remove the ILM assembly and for consistency with the LGA1366 
socket ILM. The Torx* head fastener is also less susceptible to driver slippage. Once 
assembled the ILM is not required to be removed to install / remove the motherboard 
from a chassis.

The ILM Cover assembly consists of three major pieces: load lever, load plate and the 
hinge frame assembly. 

All of the pieces in the ILM cover assembly except the hinge frame and the screws used 
to attach the back plate are fabricated from stainless steel. The hinge frame is plated. 
The frame provides the hinge locations for the load lever and load plate. An insulator is 
pre-applied to the bottom surface of the hinge frame.

The cover assembly design ensures that once assembled to the back plate the only 
features touching the board are the shoulder screw and the insulated hinge frame 
assembly. The nominal gap of the load plate to the board is ~1 mm.