Access Methods

Learn how to harness the incredible expertise of ANFF’s 100+ engineers, whether it’s for on-tool training or fabrication consultancy.

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Access Pathways

There are two primary pathways in which work can be conducted within ANFF facilities – direct access, or fee for service. Both allow our clients to harness the incredible expertise of ANFF’s 100+ engineers, whether it’s for on-tool training or fabrication consultancy.

Depending on the timeframes, scope, and following steps for a project, it is worth considering both options to see which is most suitable.

Fee for service

ANFF engineers will carry out work on behalf of the client as per a predetermined quote or agreement. This is often the access method of choice when there’s no benefit to undergoing process training, or if time is a concern.

Direct access

Once a project scope has been established, users will be inducted into the relevant laboratory or cleanroom spaces, trained in micro or nanofabrication processes, and then allowed to access equipment directly to conduct their research. The knowledgeable ANFF engineers will always be on hand to ensure that you have the expert support needed to get the most from your time at ANFF, and the option for assisted sessions (i.e. designated tool time with assistance from an ANFF expert) is available to users at most nodes.

If you’d like to find out more about ANFF-C, get in touch.

Engaging ANFF

Engaging with ANFF starts with a Conversation to help us understand your project and how we can assist you.

Given the array of expertise available within ANFF, the first step is to work out where the network is most suited to assist you. Click here for more on our Nodes’ specialities.

Then, a specific consultation is held with the relevant expert to establish what the aims of the project are, to plot a course, and discuss feasibility testing if necessary.

The next step is to get you into our labs, or for us to get started. Cleanroom inductions or tool training can start if the user will be accessing equipment themselves, or quotes can be produced and provided for fee for service work.

These conversations are instigated by contacting any of our locations, or the central ANFF HQ team who can point you in the right direction.

Pricing

ANFF is a not for profit, and while we do charge for tool time and staff assistance, our aim is to reduce the cost of R&D so we do our best to keep prices low.

Our prices are decided by each site individually, and certain locations offer package deals or residency agreements that can be discussed for specific circumstances. Read our article on special access mechanisms in our Casebook by clicking here.

You can find out more about specific tool prices on our Policies page, but hourly rates range from ~$20-$250 for internationally unique or flagship equipment. Initial scoping is typically free, expert assistance on tools is approximately $50-60 per hour.

Getting Started

You can contact us directly and we’ll get the ball rolling for you, or read more about our expertise to find a specific contact.