Industry
Research Institutions
One-off experimental hardware machined to physics-grade specs, without production-run minimums.
What slows this industry down
Research hardware is the ultimate low-volume problem: almost every part is a quantity of one, designed by a scientist rather than a production engineer, and needed before the next beamtime or funding deadline. UHV work imposes invisible specs — no silicone contact, low-outgassing materials, virtual-leak-free blind holes — that a general shop will violate without knowing it. Cryostat and beamline parts mix exotic combinations like OFHC copper thermal links with PEEK insulators in a single assembly. Procurement rules add quoting and documentation friction that most fast prototype services refuse to deal with.
Typical parts we machine
- UHV chamber components and flanged fittings
- Beamline fixtures and sample holders
- Cryostat parts and copper thermal links
- Custom lab jigs and experimental mounts
- PEEK/PTFE insulating components
Recommended materials
Aluminum 6061-T6
The default CNC aluminum: strong enough for most jobs, machines fast, anodizes well.
Stainless Steel 316L
Marine and medical stainless: molybdenum chemistry that shrugs off chlorides and sterilization cycles.
Copper C110
The conductivity king: when watts or amps per gram is the whole point of the part.
PEEK
The polymer that replaces metal: 250 °C service, chemical immunity, implant-grade options.
PTFE (Teflon)
The slipperiest solid known: seals and insulators immune to chemistry and heat alike.
Recommended finishes
Electropolishing
Reverse plating that brightens, deburrs and passivates stainless in one step.
Passivation
Chemical hygiene for stainless: strips embedded iron so the steel can be as stainless as advertised.
Anodizing Type II (Clear)
The standard aluminum finish: hard, clear oxide that keeps the metallic look.
Certifications & standards
- ISO 9001
- We understand research procurement values ISO 9001-grade documentation — for single pieces, flexibility and a clean paper trail matter more than volume systems.
- EN 10204 3.1
- We support EN 10204 3.1 material certificates for UHV and cryogenic components where alloy purity drives outgassing and thermal behavior.
We understand and support these requirements; certification and documentation scope is confirmed per order.
Relevant services
Prototype Machining
Functional prototypes in production-grade materials, shipped in days with DFM feedback included.
CNC Milling
3- and 4-axis vertical machining for housings, brackets, manifolds and structural parts.
Micro Machining
High-speed spindles and Ø0.1 mm tooling for features below 1 mm and watch-scale parts.
Wire EDM
Electrical discharge wire cutting for hardened steels, sharp internal corners and zero-force profiles.
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