FAULHABER opens modular cleanroom for the production of medical technology products

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On September 13, the new cleanroom of the FAULHABER headquarters was unveiled and presented with both management and project managers present at the opening.

The cleanroom has a surface area of ​​90 sqm and will be used in the future to make products for medical technology and the pharmaceutical industry under controlled conditions. Production in the cleanroom will start in the middle of next year.

The medical technology market is continuously shaped by new trends, and the requirements for quality and purity of the applied drives pose specific challenges. To create more production capacity for drive systems for this future industry, FAULHABER recently installed and opened a new cleanroom at its main location. The drives that will be made here from 2024 meet the special requirements of the medical industry and are suitable for all kinds of medical and pharmaceutical technology.

The new cleanroom has a surface area of ​​125 sqm, of which 90 sqm is reserved purely for production, surrounded by airlocks for personnel and equipment to ensure that cleanroom conditions are maintained.

Andreas Melzer is the head of the Safety, Facility & Maintenance department at FAULHABER. He explains: “Our cleanroom is certified according to ISO Class 7. This means that the permitted concentration of particles in the air is limited, as is microbiological contamination of the air.”

This level of cleanliness is achieved by changing the air 25 times per hour, which means that the air is completely replaced approximately every two and a half minutes. By comparison, in other production areas without cleanroom conditions, the air is replaced three or four times per hour. That shows how powerful the ventilation system for the new cleanroom is.

It took the project team seven months to set up the new production space.

The construction work was carried out behind a wall, which protected the ongoing production from penetrating dust. The new cleanroom was opened on 13th September, 2023 in the presence of the project team and Managing Directors Lutz Braun, Dr Udo Haberland and Hubert Renner.

For FAULHABER, the new addition means an increase in production capacity. The branch in Schönaich, Germany, has had a cleanroom tent for products for the semiconductor industry since 2021.

Melzer added: “But the first permanent cleanroom at this location is something very new, and very exciting for us.”

Commissioning is planned for mid-2024, when there will be a permanent team of FAULHABER employees trained and equipped for cleanroom work, who will primarily work in the new facility.

Before then, the room still needs to be equipped with workstations and equipment, and the cleaning system still needs to be connected to the material lock. This ensures that all components used meet cleanroom requirements.

Thanks to the modular structure of the new FAULHABER cleanroom, future expansion of production capacity in this area is possible.

SMC expands manufacturing capabilities with new cleanroom

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SMC has expanded its manufacturing capabilities with the completion of a new cleanroom in Noblesville, Indiana.

The cleanroom footprint is approximately 25,000 sqft, or half a football field, and is designed with a modular aluminum honeycomb wall system which allows for layout versatility and future expansion or modifications to the cleanroom.

The modular construction also facilitates the progression of cleanliness as an operator will put on a cleanroom suit, covered from head to toe, in an ISO 7 room, and move through air locks to progressively arrive at the ISO 5 cleanroom work areas.

“After successful construction of our cleanroom, operating and maintaining the working conditions within it will be where SMC must apply extra care. An ISO 5 cleanroom must always meet minimum standards across the five fundamental parameters to be defined a proper facility for human comfort. These five are: temperature, humidity, airflow, filtration, and pressure.

For example, the recommended temperature for ISO 5 is 68°F (+/- 2°) for operator comfort when wearing a cleanroom suit and PPE. Relative humidity must be set at a level higher than 30% and lower than 50%; an RH below 30% will create static electrostatic discharge which can damage components or attract particulate matter, and above 50% will promote biological contaminates such as mold or bacteria growth,” said Chad Bosler, VP of Operations.

“Our ISO 5 cleanroom will be manufacturing and assembling high purity components essential to semiconductor chip manufacturing as well as food grade products for the food and beverage industries.

All our clean components are assembled and packaged in a work environment where HEPA filtration covers 70% of the ceiling areas with a downward airflow that circulates and changes the inside air 360 times per hour while maintaining an outward positive air pressure compare to the adjacent room,” said Senior Engineer, Garrett Flora.

SMC’s cleanroom construction is only one of many future capital investment projects on its corporate campus in its expansion pipeline. Over the next ten years, its plan is to increase current employment of 850 workers by 35% to about 1,157 employees and invest a total of $30.2 million in industrial facilities at its headquarters by 2032.

IPA Clean Swab

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IPA Clean Swab is a high quality, cleanroom swab for the critical cleaning of small and hard-to-reach areas. The wide paddle head offers extraordinary cleaning abilities by featuring an inner layer of foam for absorbency and an outer layer of micro-denier for holding contaminants and avoiding cross-contamination.

A four-inch handle containing a reservoir of 99.7% isopropyl alcohol adds even more cleaning power to the paddle head. Once the solvent is released from the handle, it is absorbed into the soft paddle head. Unlike some self-saturating swabs, the IPA Clean Swab is wrapped in microfiber for ultimate cleanliness. This easy-to-use system is ideal for removing lubricants, adhesives, residues, or other contaminants on circuit boards, sensors, or stencils. It is perfect for cleaning laboratory testers, electronic components, keyboards, print heads, and printers.

Class 100 laundered and packaged, IPA Clean Swab is free of particulates making it suitable for medical surfaces. With no tribogeneration, the swab is safe to use on ESD static-sensitive devices when the head is moist.

IPA Clean Swab is effective for medical device manufacturing and assembly, electronics manufacturing and assembly, IoT, and telecom applications.

  • ISO Class 4-7 (class 10 – 10,000) compatible
  • Ultra-low particle fiber, NVR, and Ion levels
  • High solvent capacity
  • Micro-denier polyester over foam
  • Non-abrasive wide paddle head
  • 99.7% IPA-filled 3.5″ polypropylene handle
  • Free of silicone, amides, DOP contamination
  • Safe for ESD static-sensitive surfaces
  • Ultrasonic welding with no adhesives

ColPro Technical Solutions unveils cutting-edge cleanroom in Katwijk

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In a significant leap towards advancing cleanroom technology, ColPro Technical Solutions has recently unveiled its state-of-the-art cleanroom facility in Katwijk, Netherlands. The facility promises to be a game-changer in the realm of cleanroom solutions, catering to diverse industries with its advanced features and cutting-edge technologies.

ColPro Technical Solutions’ commitment to excellence in cleanroom environments is evident in the meticulous design and construction of the new facility. Situated in Katwijk, a strategic location known for fostering technological innovation, the cleanroom is poised to meet the stringent requirements of various sectors, including pharmaceuticals, electronics, and biotechnology.

The facility boasts a comprehensive suite of features designed to maintain optimal cleanliness levels. From advanced air filtration systems to precise temperature and humidity controls, every aspect has been carefully considered to ensure the highest standards of cleanliness and performance. This dedication to quality aligns with the industry’s increasing demand for sophisticated cleanroom solutions.

Notably, the Katwijk cleanroom is equipped to handle a wide range of processes, from research and development to manufacturing and testing. The flexible design of the facility allows for customisation, enabling clients to tailor the cleanroom environment to their specific needs and industry standards.

ColPro Technical Solutions has a longstanding reputation for delivering innovative cleanroom solutions, and the Katwijk facility stands as a testament to their commitment to excellence. As the demand for cutting-edge cleanroom technology continues to grow, this new facility is well-positioned to play a pivotal role in meeting the evolving needs of industries requiring precision and cleanliness.

With its strategic location, advanced features, and commitment to quality, the ColPro Technical Solutions cleanroom facility in Katwijk is set to be a beacon of innovation in the field of cleanroom technology. As industries strive for un compromised quality and adherence to strict standards, this facility emerges as a key player in shaping the future of cleanroom solutions.

Tulane receives $5 million for state-of-the-art cleanroom

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Tulane University has secured $5 million in state and federal funding to build a new state-of-the-art nano-fabrication cleanroom that will enable students, faculty and commercial partners across the region to conduct advanced semiconductor and materials science research and development.

2,900 平方英尺的纳米制造洁净室的效果图，该洁净室将位于杜兰大学住宅区的 Steven & Jann Paul 科学与工程大厅。

Approximately $2 million of the funding comes from the National Institute of Standards and Technology and will be used to purchase equipment for the facility. Another $3 million was appropriated by Louisiana lawmakers this past legislative session and will go toward construction of the cleanroom.

“This facility is another step forward in Tulane’s effort to reimagine New Orleans as a centre of research and discovery that will change the world for the better,” President Michael A. Fitts said. “It will help attract a critical mass of world-class researchers to our region and support the incredible work taking place at area universities, as well as at startups and leading companies across the Gulf South.”

“This facility is another step forward in Tulane’s effort to reimagine New Orleans as a centre of research and discovery.”, says President Michael A. Fitts.

The cleanroom will be housed in the soon-to-be-opened Steven & Jann Paul Hall for Science and Engineering on Tulane’s uptown campus. Its location next door to the Scot Ackerman MakerSpace will provide the opportunity for quickly prototyping discoveries. The facility will be available to researchers at Tulane, Xavier University, the University of New Orleans and others with the goal of promoting rapid development of existing regional research collaborations.

“The support we have received from the state and federal agencies, with the help of U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy and State Sens. Cameron Henry and Royce Duplessis, has allowed us to build a facility that will be a resource for the entire region,” said Kimberly Foster, dean of the Tulane University School of Science and Engineering. “This type of facility is used for research and education, developing innovations in electronics, sensing and biotechnology, and training the next generation of tech workforce.”

Nanotechnology is driving innovation in biotechnology, drug development, energy, quantum computing and advanced manufacturing. Cleanroom facilities are needed to meticulously safeguard delicate testing and fabrication processes from contaminants. There are only a few such facilities among Gulf Coast states.

“Tulane’s new micro/nano-fabrication facility will lead to new technologies that harness quantum materials, capture and store renewable energy, advance our understanding of the brain, create new platforms for biosensing, and much more,” said Matthew Escarra, an associate professor in physics and engineering physics at Tulane, who also serves as faculty director of the nano-fabrication facility.

The cleanroom will join the statewide Core User Facilities (CUF), a network of cost-recovery centres dedicated to shared advanced instrumentation and facilities to support materials and manufacturing research.