Industries we serve
Small-batch thin-film production for startups and scale-up teams
MiniLab PVD systems help teams move from R&D samples toward repeatable pilot-scale coating work without jumping straight to a full industrial production platform.
R&D to pilot production
Scale process learning without losing flexibility
Small-batch production sits between exploratory research and higher-throughput manufacturing. Moorfield MiniLab platforms can be configured around sputtering, thermal evaporation, e-beam evaporation and process-control needs so teams can build more repeatable coating routines while keeping the tool practical for development work.
For startups and SMEs
Support practical scale-up where a team needs more repeatable thin-film capability but is not ready for the cost or complexity of a large industrial coating line.
For process development
Run controlled coating trials, refine layer stacks and build confidence before committing to a larger shared tool, external supplier or production platform.
For flexible material approachs
Discuss MiniLab configurations for thermal evaporation, e-beam evaporation or magnetron sputtering depending on the materials, substrate format and film requirements.
Configuration approaches
Options that support repeatable small-batch work
Automatic substrate and mask control
Automatic positioning of masks and substrates can support repeated runs where batch consistency and operator simplicity matter.
Load-lock and chamber options
Load-lock modules can improve sample changeover and help preserve the main chamber environment during repeated process work.
Deposition approach selection
Select sputtering, thermal evaporation, e-beam evaporation or combined process approaches according to the material system and required film stack.
Possible product fit
Relevant Moorfield platforms
The right configuration depends on substrates, throughput expectations, source type, layer stack and process-control requirements. These examples are starting points for discussion rather than fixed specifications.
Small Batch Coater
MiniLab-based PVD approach for teams moving beyond single research samples toward more repeatable small-batch coating routines.
- Configurable chamber and source options
- Potential automation and load-lock options
- Designed for scale-up conversations from R&D to pilot coating
MiniLab platforms
Modular PVD systems for more complex research and development workflows requiring configurable deposition hardware.
- Thermal evaporation, e-beam evaporation and sputtering methods by configuration
- Suitable where a benchtop tool is too limited
- Useful for evolving process requirements
What Moorfield can help define
Share your material system, substrate size, desired batch size, deposition approach, mask handling needs, process gases and chamber-access expectations. Moorfield can help identify whether a MiniLab small-batch configuration is appropriate.
Good fit indicators
- You need more repeatability than one-off research coating.
- You are not ready for a full industrial production platform.
- You need configurable PVD hardware that can evolve with the product or process.
- You want to reduce dependency on external coating runs during scale-up.
Planning a small-batch thin-film production workflow?
Tell us about your coating stack, substrate format, run size and process approach. Moorfield can help assess whether a MiniLab small-batch configuration is the right next step.