Applications
Start where changing shape already creates value.
Beachhead A
Deployable Structures
Stow compact. Take a commanded form on deployment. Hold it without power.
A deployable structure spends most of its life waiting and must then take one exact shape. A latched ShapeCell array holds its stowed geometry with no power draw and changes only when commanded.
- Reconfigurations over service life
- Few. Stow, deploy, and occasionally re-stow or retarget.
- Dormancy
- Long. Stowed geometry held unpowered until deployment.
- Disturbance profile
- Transport vibration and shock while stowed; environmental and service loads once deployed.
Where it applies
- Reconfigurable single-curvature reflector and aperture surfaces
- Shelters and enclosures
- Stowable panels and fairings
Fig. 01 — Deployable Structures, latched geometry
Concept renderGenerated geometry. No photograph of hardware exists.Beachhead B
Adaptive Tooling Surfaces
One surface that becomes the support, fixture or form for the next part.
High-mix production keeps one dedicated fixture or form per part geometry. A programmable surface takes each part's geometry from CAD, holds it for the run, and reconfigures for the next.
- Reconfigurations over service life
- Many. Once per part number, changeover, or revision.
- Dormancy
- Short to medium. Held for the length of a run, inspection, or layup.
- Disturbance profile
- Part weight, probe and process contact loads while holding.
Where it applies
- Inspection and metrology fixturing
- Assembly and board support
- Layup and forming surfaces
Fig. 02 — Adaptive Tooling Surfaces, latched geometry
Concept renderGenerated geometry. No photograph of hardware exists.Market context
Adaptive tooling enters markets that already spend on fixed tooling.
Third-party estimates, quoted with their publishers. They size the spend that adaptive tooling surfaces address. They are not Nanoshape revenue projections.
$7.5B → $12.3B
Global jigs and fixtures, 2024 to 2034
SourceReports and Data, jigs and fixtures market report$13.3B
Industrial metrology
SourceGrand View Research, industrial metrology market report (2024)≈48%
Share of industrial metrology held by coordinate measuring machines
SourceMarketsandMarkets, coordinate measuring machine market reportOut of scope
Not this phase.
- Continuous actuation. Proteus reconfigures on the dock and holds; it is not a motion system.
- Grippers, robotics and wearables. Possible later uses of the same primitive, not Phase 1 products.
- Flight-certified hardware.
- Consumer products.
Questions
Short answers.
What will Proteus be used for first?
Proteus is designed to serve two set-and-hold applications first: deployable structures and adaptive tooling surfaces. A deployable structure would stow compact, take a commanded form on deployment and hold it. An adaptive tooling surface would take the geometry each part needs, hold it for the run, and reconfigure for the next part. Both would change shape on the Shape Dock and hold it off the dock.
Meet with us.
If your work sets a shape and then waits, or changes shape every run, we would like to hear about it.