How to Control Static in Your Cleanroom

How to Control Static in Your Cleanroom

Many applications require limited static:  electronics manufacturing, air traffic control, chemical labs, and semiconductor are just a few examples. If your cleanroom application involves sensitive, specialized electronics, hazardous chemicals, or other delicate equipment or processes that may be sensitive to static, you’re going to want to ensure that your cleanroom environment controls static. Here are things to consider when designing your cleanroom when you want to control static.

 

Anti-static flooring

There are several flooring options for static control. They work by grounding the static charge that naturally builds up in any environment, moving it through the floor to the ground and preventing it from building up and affecting your processes.

There are two main types of anti-static flooring, dissipative and conductive, and these are both available at varying levels of resistance (measured in ohms). The resistance and type of anti-static flooring you need will depend on the risk of electrostatic discharge as well how critical the effects of electrostatic discharge would be for your application.

 

Anti-static wall panels

Anti-static wall panels are also available for controlling static within a cleanroom. Cleanroom-specific anti-static wall materials are crucial, as cleanroom wall materials will also control particle shedding, preventing particulate contamination in the cleanroom environment. Additionally, wall panels with picking bins or storage for ESD components can protect static-sensitive items.

 

Clothing and gowning procedures 

In addition to the gowning procedures already in place for your cleanroom, if your aim is to control static, you may want to implement new clothing and gowning protocols. These may include anti-static garments or ESD cuffs, low-static shoes, or even equipment such as an air shower before entry to the cleanroom environment.

Even if anti-static garments aren’t necessary, you may want to prohibit wearing static-prone and high-static clothing articles, like those made of fleece and similar fabrics, in the cleanroom environment, or require basic gowning in a lab coat.

 

No matter the environmental factors you need to control, Angstrom Technology can design and install a cleanroom that works for your application.

 

How to Repurpose or Move Your Modular Cleanroom

How to Repurpose or Move Your Modular Cleanroom

Modular cleanrooms are valuable for their versatility and the ability to deploy them almost anywhere. When your organization’s needs change, you might find that you need to move your modular cleanroom—great, that’s what it’s for! Whether you need to move your modular cleanroom to a new location or adapt it to a new application, here’s how to repurpose or move your modular cleanroom.

 

Disassemble cleanroom following included directions

The first step is to disassemble the cleanroom—completely if you’re moving it to a new location, only as much as necessary if you’re simply making some modifications—following the instructions. Your modular cleanroom should have come with instructions for both assembly and disassembly (ours do!). Following the instructions is critical to ensure that nothing is accidentally damaged in the process and that when you go to put it back together again, nothing is missing or broken.  If you need additional help, our skilled installation teams are professionals at both assembly and disassembly of these modular cleanrooms.

 

Move or change and reassemble in desired configuration

If you’re moving the cleanroom, move it to the new location and then begin reassembling the cleanroom. If you’re adding onto the cleanroom or making changes to the configuration, make those changes and reassemble. Again, following the instructions you’ve been provided is of utmost importance to ensure that everything fits together properly and that a tight seal is maintained for the controlled environment. 

 

For complicated installations, get pros involved

For both assembly and disassembly of the modular cleanroom, when it comes to complicated systems like HVAC integration, laminar air flow, or multi-stage air filtration, enlist the help of professional cleanroom installers like ours. You don’t want to risk damage to your cleanroom or to those delicate systems or compromise your cleanroom environmental controls. 

 

If you’re interested in a modular cleanroom that can change to meet your business’s ever-changing needs, it’s time to talk with an Angstrom Technology engineer.