One or more heat exchangers are coupled to one or more heat sources using a single gimballed joining mechanism. The joining mechanism includes a gimbal plate and a gimbal joint. The gimbal joint enables independent application of a retention force to the heat exchanger as a single-point load. This results in a balanced and centered application of the retaining force over the thermal interface area. The gimbal plate is mounted directly to a circuit board using spring means. The spring means regulate the amount of retention force directed through the gimbal joint to each heat exchanger. Because the gimbal joint is rotation-compliant, the two mating faces making up the thermal interface are forced into a parallel mate. In this manner, a high performance TIM interface is generated.