Semiconductor Equipment
Design and prototyping of an innovative chuck module
Problem
A semiconductor equipment supplier needed a chuck mechanism to securely mount a fragile, high-value metrology device with a hard constraint that made it uniquely challenging: no screws, no tools allowed.
Solution
We developed a screwless clamping system based on wedge clamps actuated by manual levers, giving operators a reliable and repeatable installation process without any tooling. We also designed the encoder head support from scratch and ran FEA analysis to ensure resonance frequencies stayed well above critical thresholds — protecting both signal integrity and the encoder itself.
Result
6 weeks from kickoff to completed design, with a fully functional prototype delivered within 2 months. A clean, elegant solution to a constraint most would consider a blocker.