The Main Systems of a Semiconductor Manufacturing Facility
With air handling systems, HVAC filters and proper ventilation, cleanrooms can reduce airborne particulates present in a workspace to minimal levels. This reduces contaminants that cause product failure in sensors, flat screen displays, and other technologies.
Regular and rigorous cleaning is vital to prevent contaminant build-up, and personnel should adhere to proper gowning procedures before entry. Monitoring particle counts with regular or continuous air quality checks will provide confidence that facilities are compliant with industry standards.
Temperature & Humidity Controls
Semiconductor materials are extremely sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity, so any cleanroom where these are used will need precise controls and sensors. A quality cleanroom manufacturer like Airology Systems can access cutting edge tools to maintain internal temperatures within .6oC. These require regular calibration and continuous monitoring so that a swift response can be deployed if there are deviations.
Grounding & Electrostatic Discharge Control
Static build-up can cause small electrical discharges that may damage electronic components and equipment. In an electronics industry cleanroom, static dissipative or conductive materials are used to construct workbenches, walls and floors to draw static electricity away from critical components. They may also include grounding pins, drawing built-up charges into the ground.
Challenges in Microchip & Sensor Cleanrooms
When building technology cleanrooms, there are a number of frequent challenges that must be addressed in the design.
Cleanroom Energy Efficiency
To maintain precise environmental requirements, cleanroom technology consumes significant energy resources. Energy-efficient solutions must be able to meet the high-quality standards needed to remain compliant with industry regulations.
- Our cleanrooms make the best use of energy with:
- LED lighting systems
- High-efficiency HVAC systems
- Optimised layouts and airflow design
- Continuous energy monitoring systems
Businesses may also implement regular energy audits and install solar panels for energy generation.
Human Error
Your personnel are the largest source of contamination. Even walking too quickly in a cleanroom can disrupt airflow and encourage particulate to settle in critical areas. All operators must be trained regularly to follow proper gowning procedures and best practices for cleanroom behaviour.
Compliance with Regulatory Standards
ISO and GMP standards for cleanrooms require stringent controls and regular monitoring to maintain environmental conditions. If equipment is damaged or calibrated incorrectly, conditions may become non-compliant, reducing product quality below customer expectations.
To ensure cleanroom conditions are within tolerance, conduct regular inspections and maintenance as needed.
Equipment & Maintenance Challenges
Cleanrooms require regular maintenance to sustain the desired level of cleanliness. Regular monitoring, testing, and cleaning will ensure that the HVAC equipment is working properly. Filters must be changed regularly as part of routine maintenance.
Equipment must be compatible with the aims of the cleanroom, and installed carefully to prevent contamination from fumes or byproducts.
Designing cleanroom layouts often involves considering maintenance access to equipment from outside the cleanroom. This can prevent unnecessary contamination and downtime, but is not always possible when equipment needs replacing or more invasive repairs.
Long-Term Impact of Overcoming These Challenges
By considering these challenges in the design stage, semiconductor cleanroom manufacturers can create reliable cleanrooms that are easy to maintain and consistently produce the right conditions. Checking that these design elements are included provides long-term confidence in your cleanroom, makes maintenance easier and helps businesses focus on other areas of production.
It is worth investing in proper cleanroom design services to be certain that your cleanroom is compliant from day one.
Airology’s Expertise in the design and implementation of Cleanrooms serving the Electronics Industry
You can kickstart your cleanroom quote by answering our 7 Questions for a New Cleanroom. These include considering lighting, humidity, temperature, and size of your space to help us provide the most accurate quote possible.
Our experience in creating bespoke facilities means we are trusted by hundreds of companies throughout the UK. To read more about our electronics cleanroom projects, read some of our case studies.
