The conception and planning of a cleanroom depends primarily on the requirements placed on it. In some cases a grey room is already sufficient, but especially in the technology, research and pharmaceutical sectors as well as in the food industry strict guidelines apply.
Nevertheless, the decision on the type and classification of a cleanroom should be preceded by the consideration whether a cleanroom is also the solution in itself for the process to be considered. Each clean solution has advantages and disadvantages. These have to be evaluated and the decision has to be made whether a cleanroom or another clean solution, e.g. a workbench solution or minienvironments, better meet the requirements. If a cleanroom should be regarded as the solution, as a result of these considerations, despite high investment and running costs, then the cleanroom or cleanroom cabin solution suitable for the processes should be considered.
Cleanrooms can be realized in different ways
The particle concentration is the standard in technical area. Depending on the application, it is defined in DIN ISO 14644-1, the classes range from ISO 1 to ISO 9, with ISO 1 being the best class with the fewest particles. Microbiological requirements must also be considered in life science applications.
You can find out more about the link and differences between the guidelines here.
The demands placed on a cleanroom therefore vary hugely. It is therefore imperative that a wide variety of models and concepts are used in practice.
Basically, two proven Systems can be distinguished:
- Cleanroom tents or cleanrooms with foil curtains, so-called softwall cabins.
- Cleanrooms with fixed walls or panels made of various materials, so-called hardwall cabins.
In practice, both versions are referred to as cleanroom cabins. Depending on the application, these can have only a few square meters, but can also fill entire halls. Room-in-room solutions are useful in most cases.
Which solution makes sense for your application is not just a question of price. In many cases the differences between a hardwall or softwall solution are only marginal.
Keep an eye on the requirements of your application. In general, almost all applications can be implemented with both approaches. But in practice the strength and weaknesses of the used method quickly become apparent.
You can get some more information about the best cleanroom solution on the free whitepaper:
In the next section you will find out more about the advantages and disadvantages of a softwall solution
Cleanroom cabins with softwall solutions
Cleanroom cabins with hardwall
- PVC-surfaces: Easy-care, but not necessarily scratch-resistant. The cheapest solution. In individual applications, questions are asked about fire protection with regard to the formation of smoke in the event of fire.
- Polycarbonat: Sometimes very soft, usually slightly more durable than PMMA. Not always scratch-resistant. Also transparent available.
- PMMA: For transparent surfaces.
- Steel plate: high stability, risk of corrosion without painting. Powder coated is the best solution.
- Stainless steel: Very stable. The surface should be smooth (brushed or polished).
- Aluminium plate: Light and stable. The surface should be anodised and/or powder coated.
- Glass: Generally the cheapest solution. In practice, single-pane safety glass and laminated safety glass are used and guarantee a high level of shatter protection
Let us advise you on the selection of the right cleanroom cabin
