Redesigning Your Modular Cleanroom? Here are 5 Things to Keep in Mind

Redesigning Your Modular Cleanroom? Here are 5 Things to Keep in Mind

Modular cleanrooms — particularly SoftWall cleanrooms — are easy to expand, downsize, or reconfigure. When redesigning a modular cleanroom, some things you should keep in mind are: whether you plan to downsize or upsize your space, how to best reconfigure your systems to maintain class standards, a few ways to repurpose extra materials, and the importance of working with experts who have experience in cleanroom redesign and can help you complete the job to your specifications.

 

Redesign Your Modular Cleanroom

The great thing about modular cleanroom panels or SoftWalls is that they can be rearranged with ease to suit the needs of your business as it grows or changes. By adding or subtracting modular cleanroom panels you can redesign your cleanroom to meet new needs or class standards or save on energy and costs. Be careful not to underestimate the space your equipment and personnel need to function effectively with your cleanroom redesign.

 

Expand Your Cleanroom

To expand your modular cleanroom, the process is easy! Simply add extra panels and arrange them in a layout that suits your equipment and production goals. Keep in mind that with extra space you may need additional furniture to support equipment, store materials, or serve as workspaces for employees. 

A cleanroom expansion will require the redesign of paths through the space to limit contamination and streamline work within your cleanroom. You may also need to update your HVAC system. If you have more air in your cleanroom to change, you’ll need a more powerful system that can handle the job and maintain strict air quality standards.

 

Downsize Your Cleanroom

Removing panels will reduce the space inside your cleanroom. SoftWall cleanrooms can be downsized easily because they aren’t fixed or rigid. They are also easy to expand again if you need more space in the future. 

When downsizing, make sure to leave sufficient room for all equipment and workspaces as well as space to access materials. Eliminate unnecessary furniture or fixtures and retain the essential pieces. If you have extra panels, furniture, or surfaces, you may be able to repurpose them outside of your cleanroom.

 

Reconfigure Your Cleanroom

If you don’t need to change the amount of space in your cleanroom, you may need to reconfigure your layout to accommodate different projects, equipment, or class standards. Modular cleanroom panels can be rearranged to create a different room shape and make new paths within the space. You may also need to reconfigure your HVAC system, making sure to not block airflow when rearranging furniture and other pieces.

 

Maintain Class Standards

With any kind of cleanroom redesign, you’ll need to make sure your new cleanroom matches the existing class standards for your application or meets the new standards for which you’re redesigning. Any new panels, flooring, and furniture should be made of materials that are non-particle shedding and support the use they will receive with moderate to heavy traffic. Remember that gowning areas and pass-throughs are also part of your cleanroom and should be updated as necessary.

 

Utilize Extra Materials

If your cleanroom redesign left you with extra materials like panels, furniture, or equipment, consider if you can repurpose them before disposing. Modular cleanroom panels can be made into gowning areas, storage for cleaning supplies, or extra equipment. Utilize extra panels outside of your downsized cleanroom as places to keep unused tools or as lockers to store employees’ personal items while they’re working in your cleanroom.

 

Support Your Systems

If you’re redesigning your cleanroom, chances are your HVAC system will need to be redesigned or updated as well. If you’ve expanded your workspace, a more powerful system may be necessary to change a larger amount of air consistently and thoroughly. Even if your cleanroom hasn’t grown or changed size at all, a cleanroom redesign is a great time to check in with your systems and make sure they can service every part of your rearranged layout. 

 

Work with Modular Cleanroom Professionals

When redesigning your modular cleanroom, you’ll want to seek the advice and assistance of professionals in the cleanroom industry, not just any contractor. A team with cleanroom design experience will be well-versed in your cleanroom’s class standards and be able to ensure that every part of your cleanroom redesign is up to code. They can help you understand where you can save space and energy and how to move things around in a smart and efficient way.

 

Redesigning your modular cleanroom? We’re here to help! Angstrom Technology experts can help you downsize or upgrade your cleanroom on your budget, and in a way that maximizes your space and process efficiency. Reach out to us online or give us a call at (888) 768-6900 to get started.

Everything You Need to Know About Modular Construction

Everything You Need to Know About Modular Construction

Whether you’re looking to design a new cleanroom or renovate your building space to accommodate new offices or processes, you may have heard that modular construction is the way to go. Modular construction is trending right now for a few reasons, the primary one being that it’s a smart alternative to traditional construction. If your curiosity has been piqued, here’s everything you need to know about modular construction.

 

What is a Modular Cleanroom?

Here we break down the basics of modular construction, and what that entails for cleanroom design, construction, installation, and maintenance.

 

How to Repurpose or Move Your Modular Cleanroom

One of the benefits of modularly constructed cleanrooms is their flexibility and versatility. If you no longer need the cleanroom, you can take it apart and use the components for a new room or space. If you upgrade your facility, you can bring your modular cleanroom with you. This post outlines how to move or repurpose your modular cleanroom and take advantage of that versatility and adaptability.

 

What is an Inplant Building?

If you’re new to the concept of modular construction, the words “inplant building” might mean nothing to you. But you shouldn’t remain in ignorance. Inplant buildings can be a solution to many of the problems manufacturers with large factory and warehouse facilities face. This post outlines what inplant buildings are and their many benefits and uses.

 

Hidden Cost Benefits to Modular Construction

Modular construction isn’t the way of the future simply because it’s efficient and flexible—although it certainly is those things—it’s also extremely cost-effective in a variety of ways. This post outlines the ways in which modular construction can save you money, from sticker price to tax breaks!

 

Modular vs. Traditional Construction for Cleanrooms

This post lays out the differences between constructing a modular cleanroom or going the traditional construction route for your cleanroom. Learn the benefits and drawbacks of each option to help you decide which is right for your cleanroom design project.

 

How Modular Offices Can Work for Your Company

Modular construction isn’t just for cleanrooms. If you need more office space, but already have a facility, modular offices might be the right solution for your organization. This blog post outlines how modular construction can provide you with the office space you need without extensive renovation of your facilities or costly additions, instead, using space you already have.

 

Need a modular cleanroom or inplant building? Talk to Angstrom Technology and we can design it and build it!

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.

 

Hidden Cost Benefits To Modular Construction

Hidden Cost Benefits To Modular Construction

Modular construction isn’t just the latest trend in construction because it’s efficient—although it is, and that is a major benefit—it’s also on the rise because some of the amazing financial benefits that come from modular construction, some of which you might not realize when first weighing the option. Here are some of the hidden cost benefits to modular construction that could make all the difference in your cleanroom or office suite addition.  

Lower overall cost

This isn’t hidden, necessarily, but it’s worth stating, again and again: Modular cleanrooms, when compared to conventionally constructed cleanrooms with the same features, are going to cost less. The savings you’re going to see from modular construction, in terms of the construction and installation cost, the cost of special features, the time it takes to build, and the maintenance costs are going to put conventional construction out of the running.

Depreciation

Modular construction depreciates at a faster rate than conventional construction—in fact, up to five times faster. While that much not be a positive if you’re purchasing a modular home to live in, it is a positive if you’re a business building a cleanroom, offices, or other additions to your facilities. Why? Tax advantages. With current tax codes in place, the initial cost of a conventionally constructed cleanroom or office suite or other space would have to be over 30 percent less than the initial cost of the same space using modular construction to match the tax advantages of the modular structure.

Reuse

Traditionally constructed structures are meant to be permanent. You can’t easily disassemble them and reuse the components in a new location or in a new configuration. Additions, renovations, updates, and modifications to conventionally constructed spaces are costs hidden in the future. With modular construction, the components of your modular cleanroom (or any other kind of modular structure) can be disassembled when no longer needed, easily modified to accommodate changes in your process and needs, easily added onto, or even disassembled, moved to a new location, and reassembled. Can you do that with a conventionally constructed cleanroom? No way.

 

If you’re interested in how a modular cleanroom or inplant building can save money in the long and short run, give Angstrom Technology a call and speak with one of our expert design engineers.