Igus clean room technology up to ISO class 1

Details: Released: 13.08.2020; Last updated: 25.08.2023; Hits: 7612

In the demanding world of Clean room technology sets Igus new standards: from displayrobots to pick-and-place applications in semiconductor manufacturing and microelectronics, the motion plastics specialist offers solutions made from high-performance polymers that are in-house Clean room laboratory ISO 1 developed and approved by renowned institutions such as the Fraunhofer institute were tested.

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Assemble the energy chain for clean room technology
Clean room laboratory for ISO class 1 plastic components

Assemble the energy chain for clean room technology

13.08.2020/XNUMX/XNUMX | For almost particle-free routing of cables in applications for the Clean room technology effect Igus can Energy chain developed e-skin flat. This is now available as a version single pods or individual chambers. This makes the chain quicker to assemble, Lines can be easily exchanged, the number of chambers can be freely selected and combined with one another. A support chain additionally stabilizes the chain and offers a higher unsupported length.

The advancing one electrification from the Automotive industry to Medical Technology enables strong growth in the semiconductor industry. This leads to a high investment in the development and manufacture of electronic components, semiconductors, OLED and LCD displays as well as machines and systems in clean rooms. For that it takes in turn Machine Elements such as cables and energy supply lines that meet the strict guidelines for freedom from particles in clean rooms.

“We have the extremely flat cable carrier on the Hannover Messe First presented in 2019. Since then, the demand has been very high, ”explains Peter Mattonet, industry manager for clean room technology at igus GmbH.

Previously, similar cable carriers or Cleancable-Solutions can be completely replaced after a line failure. That is why Igus has further developed its e-skin flat energy chain. The result is a single pod variant.

Put together the cleanroom energy chain individually

The user in clean room technology can now do the Define the number of chambers, combine them with each other whenever he wants to expand, cut them to the required length and insert the cables very quickly. Alternatively, the plastics specialist offers a ready-to-connect system with specially developed clean room lines.

The e-skin flat single pods is available in two dimensions as an open and closed version. While in the closed version the cables are fed through the chamber openings, in the open version the user inserts them from the side. The chain is closed using the zipper principle.

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“The main advantage of the e-skin flat single pods lies in their easy maintenance, because in contrast to alternative solutions, the cables are not welded into a film. With the chamber system, the lines can easily be pulled in again. The concept convinces the customers, ”says Peter Mattonet.

Clean room technology with more unsupported length

For a higher stability of the flat energy chain, Igus also offers a closed version Support chain at. It can be used to achieve more unsupported length in clean room technology. This ensures stable operation and a defined bending radius of 40 to 100 mm. The integrated chain consists of a highly wear-resistant plastic. This is matched to the material of the e-skin flat. With rounded edges there is no risk of damaging the chambers.

Incidentally, Igus tests all of its clean room solutions in its new one Clean room laboratory. It was recently set up by the Fraunhofer Institute IPA in Cologne. All products pass the test in the clean room up to air purity class 1 according to ISO 14644 1.

Clean room laboratory for ISO class 1 plastic components

09.07.2020 | Energy chains and cables must be particle-free in semiconductor production. In order to accelerate the cleanroom-compatible development of Motion Plastics cleanroom technology, Fraunhofer IPA as a development and certification partner of igus, built a tailor-made clean room laboratory in the form of an ISO class 1 clean room system in Cologne.

One of the most important key technologies for networking, Artificial intelligence, Electromobility or the 5G expansion is that powerful microelectronics. Companies that manufacture semiconductors and displays are increasingly expanding their research and development departments and manufacturing capacities.

The development and manufacture of the QLEDs and microchips takes place under almost particle-free conditions in the clean rooms. Even the smallest particle contamination has no chance of destroying the circuitry of a smartphone, for example. Abrasion-resistant and clean room certified components are therefore in demand.

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Igus has been with the E-Skin and E6 family of products for almost twenty years Cable carriers Made from wear-resistant high performanceplastics in the portfolio. These were specially designed for use in clean rooms and are after Fraunhofer Tested Device certified.

Clean room laboratory for a rapidly growing market

"The Semiconductor industry is a market that continues to grow rapidly lots of potential for our Motion Plastics, ”explains Peter Mattonet, Branch manager clean room technology at Igus. This year alone, the plastics specialist for clean room technology four novelties like the modular E-Skin flat as a single pod variant. It can be easily opened and filled from the outside and has individually connectable cable chambers.

The new E-Skin SKS20 is one Energy supply for short travels in the smallest of spaces. "So that we can advance our developments even faster, we have now had an in-house clean room laboratory set up by Fraunhofer IPA," said Andrew Hermey, Head of Energy Chain Systems Development at igus. The new laboratory is part of the 3800 m² test laboratory in Cologne. The clean room laboratory is used for all Motion Plastics, including linear bearings, bearings, Energy chains, Lines and Robotgearboxes are used.

Clean room tests according to ISO 14644-14

Igus cooperates in the field of New development of clean room products with Fraunhofer IPA for 17 years. "Thanks to the many years of successful cooperation, it was clear to us that we wanted to implement the clean room laboratory project together with the experts from Fraunhofer IPA," says Mr. Hermey.

In the new clean room laboratory, the company can now test its motion plastics according to ISO clean room class 14644-14. The internationally recognized ISO classes provide information about the particle-free components. They prescribe a permitted quantity of particles in the clean room. "With the new clean room laboratory, we can carry out long-term tests under real conditions, improve our products in the shortest possible time and also implement customer-specific structures directly," says Andreas Hermey.

There are two in the main chamber of the clean room laboratory Laminar flow boxesin which the clean room tests take place. The boxes can be connected to one another for larger test setups. In order to meet the clean room requirements, appropriate filter and treatment systems for the air ensure the clean room status. Igus is certain that the investment will pay off in the long term.