Designed for handling 250 × 300 mm glass and silicon substrates, this precision vacuum chuck serves as a transport pallet and process fixture for automated lamination equipment. The ultra-flat vacuum surface was engineered to maintain substrate flatness while withstanding significant process loads without distortion. An integrated cam-driven lift mechanism, powered by a stepper motor and right-angle drive system, elevates the substrate using synchronized lift fingers for reliable loading and unloading. A reinforced structural backer plate distributes process forces throughout the assembly, ensuring dimensional stability, repeatable positioning, and long-term performance in a demanding production environment.
Developed for semiconductor thin-film deposition, this ultra-high vacuum (UHV) planetary fixture provides automated multi-axis substrate motion to improve coating uniformity during physical vapor deposition (PVD). The system combines a rotating central assembly with independently rotating satellite stations, each featuring adjustable substrate tilt to optimize deposition angles and process coverage. Designed specifically for UHV operation, the assembly incorporates vacuum-compatible materials, dry bearing technology, and specialized motion components capable of reliable operation without conventional lubrication. By automating substrate orientation throughout the deposition cycle, the system significantly reduced chamber venting and setup operations, improving process efficiency while delivering more consistent coating uniformity across multiple substrates.
Designed to characterize LED performance over extended operating periods, this modular test platform integrates ten independent test stations with precision optical measurement, thermal management, and automated data acquisition. Each station provides controlled LED mounting, repeatable optical alignment, and integrated sensing to monitor performance throughout long-duration testing. The system was engineered to simplify calibration, improve measurement repeatability, and provide a scalable platform for product validation, enabling simultaneous testing of multiple devices while significantly reducing development time.
Designed from the ground up for high-speed precision cutting, this industrial laser system combines a lightweight, high-rigidity gantry with a large ball screw-driven work surface to achieve excellent positioning accuracy and dynamic performance. The machine incorporates a 100 W CO₂ laser source, industrial Ruida motion controller, and a fully enclosed safety enclosure with integrated viewing panels designed to support safe operation. Every structural component was engineered to maximize stiffness while minimizing moving mass, enabling higher acceleration, improved cut quality, and reliable long-term performance. The result is a robust, serviceable platform that balances industrial capability with clean, purposeful mechanical design.
This custom workstation was engineered to combine precision positioning with intuitive operator interaction. A counter-weighted vertical carriage allows the soldering head to be positioned effortlessly and safely, remaining exactly where the operator leaves it without requiring locks or constant adjustment. Integrated storage, a clean modular work surface, and a compact footprint were designed to streamline workflow and reduce operator fatigue, while the rigid structural frame provides the stability required for repeatable precision assembly operations.
Designed and completed within a single week, this proof-of-concept fixture enabled validation of a roll-to-roll lamination process without the time and cost of building a production-scale machine. Precision Thorlabs linear stages were integrated into a capstan-driven transport system, while a compliant spring-loaded mechanism maintained consistent lamination pressure and compensated for minor alignment variation. The modular design allowed preload to be quickly tuned through interchangeable springs, accelerating experimentation and reducing technical risk. By focusing on rapid validation rather than overengineering an initial solution, the project delivered meaningful process data on an exceptionally compressed schedule.
Protoform Design is best suited for companies facing a meaningful mechanical or manufacturing problem that requires experience, independent thinking, and direct technical ownership. The service is positioned as professional engineering expertise rather than commodity CAD labor, temporary staffing, or low-cost production work.