Lake Forest, Illinois

Aerospace
Grade
Precision

One engineer. Decades of expertise.
David Hooke, PhD brings aerospace-level precision to every job, no matter the size.

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30+
Years in Industry
PhD
Aerospace Engineering
12+
Machine Types
Akira Seiki SL20 Brother Speedio S1000x1 Brother TC-32A Brother TC-R2A CAD Design CAM Programming CNC Milling & Turning Epilog Legend 36EXT CO2 Lasers Fiber Laser Engraving Lake Forest, IL Plastic Injection Molding Small Batch & Custom Parts Small Mold Design Akira Seiki SL20 Brother Speedio S1000x1 Brother TC-32A Brother TC-R2A CAD Design CAM Programming CNC Milling & Turning Epilog Legend 36EXT CO2 Lasers Fiber Laser Engraving Lake Forest, IL Plastic Injection Molding Small Batch & Custom Parts Small Mold Design
David A. Hooke, PhD
Aerospace Engineer  ·  Machinist  ·  Founder

David grew up working the floor of Hooke Machine Company, his family's machine shop — where the smell of cutting fluid and the sounds of spindles turning became second nature before he ever set foot in a classroom.

He earned his BAE, MSAE, and PhD in Aerospace Engineering from Georgia Tech, then spent nine years at Lockheed Martin's legendary Skunk Works in the Engineering, Stress Analysis, and Materials & Processes departments.

In 2002 he founded LiTen Up Technologies, Inc., and has since commercialized multiple precision-manufactured products. His shop runs professional-grade CNC machinery holding the same uncompromising standards he brought to the aerospace defense industry.

Background

Built for
Precision

A career defined by impossible tolerances, classified engineering, and products that actually get made.

1985 – 1996
Georgia Institute of Technology
BAE with High Honor, MSAE, and PhD in Aerospace Engineering.
1996 – 2005
Lockheed Martin — Skunk Works
Nine years in Engineering, Stress Analysis, and Materials & Processes. Awarded 8 patents under demanding requirements.
2002 – Present
LiTen Up Technologies, Inc.
Founder and CEO. Multiple products brought from concept to production — Quilter's Cruise Control®, QBOT®, and Sidekick™. Operating out of Lake Forest, IL since 2007, bringing aerospace-grade precision to custom machining, fabrication, and small-batch production on the North Shore.
What We Do

Capabilities

Every job is handled personally by David. No outsourcing. No middlemen. One engineer, fully accountable.

01
⚙️
CNC Milling

3 and 4-axis precision milling using Brother vertical machining centers. Tight tolerances, complex geometries, and aerospace-grade surface finishes.

Brother Speedio S1000X1Brother TC-R2ABrother TC-32A
02
🔩
CNC Turning

Precision lathe work on the Akira Seiki SL20. Shafts, bushings, threaded components, and turned profiles in any material.

Akira Seiki SL20
03
💉
Injection Molding

In-house injection molding for plastic components, enclosures, and cable overmolding. Up to 200g shot, ideal for small-batch production runs and functional prototyping.

KehongPVCTPVTPEPPPE
04
🔴
Laser Cutting & Engraving

30W fiber laser and Epilog Legend 36EXT CO₂ lasers for cutting, etching, and engraving metals, plastics, and composites with high precision.

30W FiberEpilog Legend 36EXT
05
🖨️
3D Printing

Rapid prototyping and functional part production on dual Ender 3 Pro printers. Iterate quickly before committing to machined parts.

Ender 3 ProRapid Prototyping
06
🏭
Specialty & Finishing

Thermoforming, sandblasting, ultrasonic cleaning, and PCB pick-and-place assembly. Full end-to-end fabrication under one roof.

Formech F660Empire EF-2436Vevor UltrasonicNeoden 4Neoden IN6PCB Assembly
07
🎨
Engineering Design

Have an idea but need an expert eye on feasibility? David can evaluate any design challenge and provide guidance from concept review to production-ready models.

BobCADViaCAD Pro V16KiCADPCB123
08
🔧
Custom Fixturing

Need precision fixturing but don't have the time or equipment to produce it yourself? We design and machine custom workholding solutions for shops of any size.

BobCADViaCAD Pro V16
The Shop

Equipment

Hover any machine to learn more. Click to see a portfolio of parts it produces.

Brother Speedio
Brother
Speedio S1000x1
High-Speed CNC Machining Center
Ultra-compact high-speed machining center with rapid tool changes, exceptional surface finishes, and precision milling of aluminum, steel, and exotic alloys.
View Portfolio
Akira Seiki SL20
Akira Seiki
SL20 Turning Center
CNC Lathe
Precision 2-axis CNC lathe for shafts, bushings, threaded components, and complex turned profiles in aluminum, steel, brass, and copper.
View Portfolio
Bridgeport Mill
Bridgeport
Milling Machine
Vertical CNC / Manual Mill
The workhorse of the shop. Versatile vertical milling for flat surfaces, slots, contours, and general-purpose machining across all materials.
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Epilog Laser
Epilog + Fiber Laser
Laser Systems
CO₂ + 30W Fiber Laser
Large-format CO₂ and fiber lasers for precision cutting, deep engraving, and marking of metals, acrylic, plastics, and anodized aluminum.
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Ender 3 Pro
Creality
Ender 3 Pro
FDM 3D Printers
Dual 3D printers for rapid prototyping and functional part production. Iterate on designs quickly before committing to full machined production.
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Injection Molder
Guangdong Kehong
200g Injector
Plastic Injection Molding
In-house injection molding for small-batch plastic parts, enclosures, and functional components in Delrin, ABS, nylon, and engineering polymers.
View Portfolio
Materials & Software
Materials
  • Aluminum (all series)
  • Steel & Stainless Steel
  • Brass & Copper
  • Delrin (Acetal)
  • Plastics & Composites
  • Titanium (on request)
Specialty Applications
  • Medical Devices
  • Custom One-Off Parts
  • Small-Batch Production Runs
  • PCB Assembly & Electronics Housings
CAD / CAM Software
BobCADViaCAD Pro V16KiCADPCB123
File Formats Accepted
STEPIGESDXFPDFSTL
Pricing

Get a Quote

Every job is different.
Every quote is personal.

North Shore CNC specializes in custom, bespoke, and small-batch work. Pricing depends on material, complexity, tolerances, quantity, and lead time. There's no price list — because every part deserves individual attention.

David personally reviews every inquiry and responds with a realistic assessment and quote. You're talking directly to the person who will make your part.

  • ►Custom and one-off parts welcome
  • ►Small-batch production runs (50–1000+ units)
  • ►Prototype-to-production capability
  • ►Medical-grade and aerospace-standard work available
  • ►STEP, IGES, DXF, PDF, and STL files accepted
  • ►Fast turnaround on simple jobs
Request a Quote
Contact

Get in Touch

📍
Location
Lake Forest, Illinois 60045
✉️
Current Availability
Accepting New Projects

Lead times vary by project complexity. Simple jobs often turn around quickly. Reach out with your timeline and we'll give you a straight answer.

Email is the best way to reach us. When you're running machines all day, stepping away to take calls isn't always possible — but every email gets a personal response as soon as the chips stop flying.

At a Glance
Aerospace Pedigree
Built by a former Skunk Works engineer. The same precision that goes into aerospace projects goes into your parts.
Personal Service
You deal directly with David. No project managers, no handoffs, no dropped balls.
Full Capability
CNC milling, turning, laser, injection molding, 3D printing, PCB assembly, and more — one shop, one engineer, no outsourcing.
North Shore Local
Lake Forest based. Convenient for local pickups, on-site consultations, and businesses across the North Shore and Chicagoland Area.