ASML

High Performance in High Tech

35+ years cooperation between ASML and npk design

ASML develops the lithography technology and produces the machines which manufacture microchips. The company was founded in the 1980s as a Philips spin-off and the collaboration between ASML and npk design started at the same time. ASML is now the largest lithography equipment manufacturer in the world… and we have been working together for over 35 years.

Design vision: CLEAN MACHINE

Assembly and use of the ASML machines take place in a cleanroom. To support this and facilitate the development of the ASML technology, from the outset we developed a modular design with panels and frames: a safe, ergonomic solution for the housing and a structure that reflects the ASML brand.

In a typical ASML machine, the complex high-tech content is surrounded by sleek geometric housing in which the panel layout is functionally defined to provide quick access for the purpose of inspection and service. The surface division, colour scheme and lines give the machine its unique character. Design details such as handles, locks and hinges are invisibly incorporated to emphasise the character of a CLEAN MACHINE and to avoid particle deposit or contamination.

Although ASML machines increase in size with each generation, the machine footprint in a factory must be kept as small as possible. This poses new ergonomic design challenges and demands creative solutions for the panels and the structure around and between the internal modules.

To this day, the timeless functional design vision of a CLEAN MACHINE with the focus on safety, accessibility and ergonomics is still applied.

Over the years, the distinctive look of the ASML machine has grown into an ASML brand carrier. Besides the design of the machine housing, our model makers have created a range of exhibition models and our graphic designers have helped develop the brand carriers on transport containers, user interface elements, flags, trucks and commercial vehicles.

In recent years, our role has shifted to the conceptual development of new machine generations and we ensure that the CLEAN MACHINE vision is applied uniformly consistently. We translate the complexity of the requirements into modular, functional and secure solutions that match ASML’s core values.