Run the coated tool through its qualified production life.
Faster load to load production. Better contamination control. Greater confidence in every surface.
NTI Vault™ Load-Lock Coating System keeps your main process chamber under vacuum between loads, reducing atmospheric exposure and contamination so you can move faster from one qualified coating run to the next with repeatable surface quality and configurable FCVA, magnetron sputtering and precision fixturing.
NTI Vault™ keeps the main process chamber under vacuum while the load lock handles part exchange and vacuum recovery, helping shorten turnaround between qualified runs, reduce repeated atmospheric exposure and return each production load to a more controlled starting condition.
Part exchange happens through the dedicated load lock while the process chamber stays under vacuum. This protects the qualified coating environment from repeated venting and helps the next load return to a more consistent starting condition with less recovery overhead.
Selected NTI Vault™ configurations support load lock pump down below 10 minutes. Recovering vacuum in the smaller entry chamber reduces non coating time between loads while the main process chamber remains under vacuum, making more of the equipment cycle available for preparation and coating.
Loading and unloading can each be completed below 30 seconds on selected configurations, with venting below 5 minutes. Keeping the exchange sequence outside the deposition chamber reduces handling overhead and helps the next production load move into process conditions sooner.
Integrated ion beam surface preparation cleans, etches and activates the substrate in vacuum immediately before coating. Selected preparation steps are below 10 minutes, helping establish the surface condition required for adhesion without adding an intermediate handling step.
Expanded NTI Vault™ configurations can integrate an ion beam source, magnetron sputtering, FCVA metal and FCVA carbon. This gives the platform more flexibility to support different preparation and deposition routes as coating requirements evolve.
Illustrative representation only. Equipment layout and process effects are simplified for explanation. Actual configuration, process conditions and performance depend on the holder size, coating thickness and stack, chamber configuration, required base pressure, pumping performance, fixture load, substrate condition and recipe settings.
NTI Vault™ combines ion beam surface preparation, magnetron sputtering, FCVA metal and FCVA carbon within a configurable load lock platform, opening different routes to controlled substrate preparation, precision thin films, metal oxide and nitride coatings and dense ta C surfaces as application requirements evolve.
Build Controlled Metallic, Ceramic, Oxide and Multilayer Films
Magnetron sputtering provides fine control over film thickness, composition and multilayer growth across metals, nitrides, carbides and oxides. On NTI Vault™, this expands the process window for hard functional layers, optical and electrical coatings, adhesion layers and metal oxide routes where repeatable film architecture matters.
Prepare the Surface and Strengthen the Interface Before Deposition
Ion beam surface preparation cleans, etches and activates the substrate in vacuum immediately before coating, helping establish a controlled interface for adhesion and repeatable film growth. Selected NTI Vault™ Gen 3 Plus configurations can also support ion beam sputtering for precision thin film deposition where film density, thickness control and demanding optical surface requirements call for a specialised route.
Deposit Cleaner, Denser Metal and Metal Oxide Functional Layers
FCVA Metal combines highly ionised metal plasma with magnetic filtering to reduce droplets and macroparticles before deposition. On NTI Vault™, the route supports dense precision metal layers, MiCC® and emerging metal oxide coating programmes where film quality, interface control and clean replication surfaces matter.
Build Ultra Hard, Dense and Low Friction Hydrogen Free ta-C
FCVA Carbon produces hydrogen free ta-C with high density, high hardness and low friction at low deposition temperature. Combined with NTI X-Bend filtration, the source is suited to precision molds and wear critical components where release, surface life and particle control directly influence production stability.
Source availability and combinations depend on the selected NTI Vault™ configuration, coating stack, substrate, process temperature, chamber arrangement and application qualification. Ion beam sputtering and application specific source packages are confirmed through engineering review.
Across selected NTI Vault™ configurations, application engineering can connect the source package to coating directions spanning appearance, wear, electrical control, optics, medical surfaces and electrochemical protection.
NTI’s X-Bend magnetic filter redirects ionised FCVA plasma through a bent path that removes unwanted droplets and microparticles before deposition, helping deliver cleaner films, more stable surface quality and high performance FCVA coatings for demanding precision surfaces.
X-Bend filtration removes unwanted droplets and microparticles while preserving the energetic ionised species required for FCVA deposition. This helps maintain the dense film structure, high hardness and stable surface quality expected from high performance FCVA coatings for demanding precision applications.
fewer microparticles in the X-Bend configuration
ta-C hardness
supporting more consistent surface quality
NTI Vault™ combines application specific fixturing with dual rotation so manufacturers can use more of the available holder area while supporting repeatable coating coverage across different part geometries and multi part production loads.
NTI Vault™ supports fixture designs across 6, 10 and 12 inch holder formats. Part spacing, coating access, loading density and handling are engineered around the component so manufacturers can accommodate different product families while maintaining the coating access and coverage needed for a qualified production process.
A second rotational motion continuously changes how loaded parts face the deposition sources throughout the cycle. This helps improve coating access and thickness distribution where part geometry, spacing or loading density make a single axis presentation less effective.
Bring precision coating in-house with NTI Vault™ and take greater control of surface quality, coating turnaround and production capacity. Compare holder range, vacuum performance and coating capabilities to find the system that fits your parts, production targets and future applications.
 NTI Vault™ Gen 3 Plus Expanded holder, pumping and multi source flexibility | NTI Vault™ Gen 3 Compact, cost efficient platform for focused production |  NTI Vault™ Gen 2 Established and widely adopted precision coating platform |
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| System dimensions | 3500 (L) × 2200 (H) × 2100 (W) mm* | 3500 (L) × 2200 (H) × 2100 (W) mm* | 4000 (L) × 2150 (H) × 2200 (W) mm |
| System weight | ~3200 kg* | ~3200 kg* | ~4000 kg |
| Batch capacity | Up to 25 kg | Up to 15 kg | Up to 25 kg |
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| Supported coating types | Hydrogen-Free ta-C CoatingsUltra-hard, low-friction surfaces for extended component and precision mold life Metallic & Alloy CoatingsEngineered metal-based films for wear protection, adhesion and functional surface performance Metal Oxide & Nitride Coatings*Functional compound films for wear resistance, surface durability and precision optical applications Multilayer & Hybrid CoatingsComplementary coating layers engineered to deliver multiple surface functions within one coating system Noble-Metal Coatings*Platinum (Pt), iridium (Ir) and rhenium (Re) based solutions for high-temperature mold protection, surface stability and reliable glass release | Hydrogen-Free ta-C CoatingsUltra-hard, low-friction surfaces for extended component and precision mold life | Hydrogen-Free ta-C CoatingsUltra-hard, low-friction surfaces for extended component and precision mold life Metallic & Alloy CoatingsEngineered metal-based films for wear protection, adhesion and functional surface performance Multilayer & Hybrid CoatingsComplementary coating layers engineered to deliver multiple surface functions within one coating system |
| Power input | 3 Ph 208 Vac + E / 3 Ph 400 Vac + N + E, voltage catered to the respective country's requirement | ||
| System controls | PLC control, safety interlocks, PC and touchscreen interface | ||
Specifications and coating capabilities shown reflect available NTI Vault™ platform configurations. Final film chemistry, coating stack and process capability depend on the selected source package, target material, process gas configuration, substrate and application qualification. Selected reactive sputtering and ion beam sputtering routes are configured to project requirements.
For high value molds, optics, wafer handling and precision components, coating quality is only part of the production challenge. NTI Vault™ Load Lock Coating System brings qualified coating capability closer to production, from hydrogen-free ta-C for precision mold surfaces to selected noble-metal film systems for higher-temperature glass molding, while maintaining the vacuum control, fixturing and process flexibility demanded by precision applications.
Keep qualified molds productive longer while bringing coating turnaround closer to molding. NTI Vault™ gives lens manufacturers direct control over FCVA coating capacity, while load-lock handling and proprietary X-Bend filtration reduce repeated exposure of the process environment where particle-sensitive mold surfaces matter. A selected lens-mold configuration has demonstrated 60 molds in one batch.
Chamber, holder, source package and recipe can be configured around mold size, coating specification and required production cadence, giving manufacturers a controlled route to support established programs and future lens designs from the same owned coating platform.
Higher-Tg optical glasses often require higher molding temperatures, exposing mold surfaces to more severe thermal cycling, oxidation and glass-to-mold interaction. NTI Vault™ Gen 3 Plus can be configured with ion beam sputtering for qualified noble-metal coating systems where high-temperature mold protection, anti-sticking performance and surface stability become increasingly important.
The material range includes platinum (Pt), iridium (Ir) and rhenium (Re) for demanding precision glass molding applications. Final film chemistry, interlayer, thickness and process window are qualified around the glass composition, mold substrate, molding temperature, release requirement and target tool life.
Protect fine mold features and keep release behaviour stable as plastic and micro-optic programs move through recurring production. NTI Vault™ combines FCVA metal routes, in-situ ion beam preparation and application-specific fixturing inside a load-lock architecture that limits repeated exposure of the main process chamber between loads.
The source package and holder can be engineered around cavity geometry, coating access and production mix, while multi-source flexibility provides room to qualify new mold materials and coating stacks as product designs evolve.
Reduce rework risk on high-value freeform tooling by bringing repeatable coating control closer to the optical manufacturing process. NTI Vault™ combines adaptable fixturing, dual rotation and controlled vacuum handling to manage coating access across non-standard geometries where coverage and surface quality are difficult to recover after the fact.
Holder geometry, chamber configuration and coating sources can be tailored around the optical surface and qualified coating stack, giving manufacturers a practical platform to support today’s complex forms and qualify new geometries without changing the entire equipment architecture.
Keep particle-sensitive wafer chucks, cavity bars and precision handling components moving through a more controlled coating environment with less repeated exposure of the primary process chamber. NTI Vault™ separates loading and vacuum recovery from deposition, while in-situ ion beam preparation and configurable FCVA or sputtering routes support repeatable surface conditioning and coating.
Load-lock pump-down below 10 minutes has been demonstrated on selected configurations. Source package, fixturing and chamber design can then be engineered around the component and coating stack as semiconductor production requirements expand.
Bring recurring precision coating requirements in-house when turnaround, process ownership and the ability to support multiple component families matter as much as the coating itself. NTI Vault™ combines controlled load-lock handling, adaptable fixturing and up to four integrated sources on expanded configurations, giving engineering teams room to support different coating stacks without multiplying equipment platforms.
The chamber, holder and source package can be configured around geometry, loading density and surface performance, providing a production asset that can evolve as materials, recipes and product requirements change.
Performance figures represent demonstrated outcomes for stated NTI Vault™ configurations and illustrate production capability rather than universal system limits. Final configuration and performance depend on component geometry, substrate, coating specification, holder design, source package, chamber configuration, pumping requirements, production volume, process settings and acceptance criteria.
Broaden the coating capabilities you can bring in-house, from precision surface protection and functional films to higher-volume production and component recovery, with NTI equipment configured around your parts and production goals.
NTI can support the transition from application development into owned production, aligning the coating result, equipment configuration and factory acceptance around what your product and manufacturing operation need to repeat day after day.
Align substrate, performance targets and production requirements
Validate the coating on production-intent parts
Set recipe, fixtures and acceptance criteria
Configure chambers, sources, pumping and controls
Confirm equipment against agreed process requirements
Complete installation, training and process transfer
When qualified tools reach the end of a coating cycle, replacement does not always need to be the next step. NTI Renew™ Decoating System can remove selected coating systems so tooling can be inspected, reconditioned and returned to NTI Vault™ Load-Lock Coating System for recoating,supporting a more complete lifecycle for reusable high-value components.
Run the coated tool through its qualified production life.
Remove the selected coating through a controlled decoating route.
Assess the substrate and restore the tooling where required.
Return qualified tooling to the coating process for the next service cycle.
Your production needs continue long after commissioning. We support your operators and maintenance teams with process transfer, preventive maintenance, spare parts, diagnostics and upgrade pathways so you can protect uptime, recover faster from issues and keep NTI Vault™ relevant as your products and coating requirements evolve.
We support installation, start-up and site acceptance to get your system ready for production.
We equip operators and maintenance teams with the recipes and know-how to run NTI Vault™ confidently.
Plan maintenance and critical spares with us to reduce unplanned downtime.
Get expert diagnostics and technical support to resolve issues and restore stable production sooner.
Explore new recipes, source upgrades and applications to extend your equipment’s productive life.
Continue into the coating technology, proven application performance and tooling lifecycle that sit behind NTI Vault™ Load-Lock Coating System.
Share your component, coating target, expected volume and current production constraints. We can help determine whether NTI Vault™ Load-Lock Coating System is the right architecture for the performance, capacity and process control you need.
A load lock coating system uses a dedicated entry chamber for loading, unloading, venting and pump down while the main process chamber remains under vacuum. This reduces repeated atmospheric exposure of the primary coating environment and helps production move between qualified loads with greater process control.
NTI Vault keeps routine part exchange and vacuum recovery inside the dedicated load lock so the main process chamber remains under vacuum between production loads. This limits repeated atmospheric exposure and supports a more controlled starting condition for surface preparation and deposition.
Selected NTI Vault configurations support load lock pump down below 10 minutes, with loading and unloading below 30 seconds each. Actual process times depend on holder size, chamber configuration, base pressure, pumping performance, fixture load and recipe settings.
Depending on configuration, NTI Vault can integrate an ion beam source, magnetron sputtering source, FCVA carbon source and FCVA metal source. The ion beam source supports in vacuum surface preparation, while the deposition sources enable ta C, metallic, ceramic and multilayer thin film routes. Selected Gen 3 Plus configurations can also support reactive magnetron sputtering and ion beam sputtering.
NTI Vault Gen 3 is the compact, focused platform for applications that can be served by a defined source package and smaller recurring holder range. NTI Vault Gen 3 Plus adds broader holder coverage, higher pumping capability and greater source flexibility for production that needs more room to configure or expand.
Depending on the selected source package, NTI Vault Gen 3 Plus can support hydrogen-free ta-C coatings, metallic and alloy coatings, metal oxide and nitride coatings, multilayer and hybrid coating stacks, and selected noble-metal coating systems for high-temperature precision mold applications. Final film chemistry, layer architecture and process window are confirmed through application qualification.
Yes. Selected NTI Vault Gen 3 Plus configurations can support metal oxide and nitride coating routes. Reactive magnetron sputtering is an established process for depositing compound oxide and nitride films, while the final target material, reactive gas control and film stack are selected around the required chemistry, substrate and process window.
Yes. NTI Vault Gen 3 Plus and NTI Vault Gen 2 can support qualified multilayer and hybrid coating stacks that combine complementary materials and deposition technologies within one engineered coating architecture. The available stack depends on the installed source package, substrate, required surface functions and application qualification.
Selected NTI Vault Gen 3 Plus configurations can be engineered around ion beam sputtering for qualified noble-metal coating systems used in demanding precision glass molding. Material options include platinum (Pt), iridium (Ir) and rhenium (Re) for elevated molding temperatures, glass release and thermal stability. Final chemistry, interlayer and thickness are application qualified.
No. NTI Vault Gen 3 and Gen 3 Plus remain the equipment platforms. Coating process routes are enabled by the selected source package and process configuration, allowing the system to be engineered around different film stacks without creating a separate model name for every coating route.
Applications supported include precision glass lens molds, high-temperature glass lens molds, plastic and micro-optic molds, freeform optics tooling, wafer handling components, cavity bars, semiconductor handling components and other precision engineering parts. Final suitability depends on substrate, geometry, coating target, fixturing and production requirement.
NTI X Bend filtration redirects ionised FCVA plasma through a bent magnetic path so unwanted droplets and microparticles are removed before deposition. This supports cleaner coating surfaces and more stable surface quality for precision applications.
Ion beam preparation cleans, etches and activates the substrate in situ immediately before deposition. Keeping preparation inside the controlled vacuum workflow helps establish the surface condition required for adhesion without adding an intermediate handling step.
Holder coverage is model dependent. NTI Vault Gen 3 supports 6 to 10 inch holders and up to 15 kg batch capacity. NTI Vault Gen 3 Plus supports 6, 10 and 12 inch holder formats and up to 25 kg batch capacity, depending on the selected source package and fixture design. NTI Vault Gen 2 also supports 6, 10 and 12 inch holder formats and up to 25 kg.
Application specific fixturing is engineered around part size, spacing, coating access and loading density. Dual rotation changes how parts face the coating sources during the cycle, helping improve coating access and thickness distribution across complex or multi part production loads.
Start with your component, surface performance and production goals. The NTI Equipment Finder lets you explore precision load-lock, batch, inline and decoating possibilities before discussing source package, holder design, process qualification and the final equipment configuration with our team.
Yes. NTI Vault Gen 3 Plus is intended for production that needs more room to configure source capability, holder coverage and pumping around current requirements while retaining greater flexibility for future coating programmes. The available upgrade path depends on the original equipment specification.
NTI can support equipment installation and commissioning, operator training, process transfer, technical diagnostics, maintenance planning, spare parts and selected upgrade pathways. Final support scope depends on the project and commercial agreement.
