Cleanroom processes make special demands on lifting equipment

 Manufacturing processes requiring cleanroom facilities are on the increase and demand for appropriate lifting equipment is on the same upwards trajectory, with manufacturers either launching new products or modifying existing ranges.

“The demand for cleanroom compatible hoists has been driven by hi-tech manufacturing, especially electronics that must be made or assembled in a dustfree atmosphere,” said Andrew T Litecky, president and head of engineered sales at Shupper-Brickle Equipment Co.

Paul Jordan, director at Hoist UK, added that providers are expanding their cleanroom product portfolios through continual innovation.

“There are increasing options available for customers to explore, giving them a greater choice of solutions and the opportunity to work with providers like ourselves, who can offer a tailored service,” he says.

Lift Turn Move added that a number of its customers were expanding their production facilities and needed additional hoists as a result. “Other customers have had issues with old hoists and are wanting to purchase new up-to-date technology,” says John Jones, managing director. “Downtime is the biggest issue—and cost—they face.”

He adds that LTM’s new GP range has a higher duty factor, meaning more usage per hour and less maintenance. “We aim to lower the total costs of ownership with less downtime and simple annual maintenance procedures.”

Mennens has worked in the cleanrooms sector since 1998 when it began supplying semi-conductor specialist ASML. Since then the market has grown and in 2011 Mennens launched its dedicated brand, Cleanroom Cranes, and now offers “a total solution”. It works in close co-operation with Verlinde and uses its equipment in its cranes and hoists systems.

“The bottom line is that you don’t bring in any contaminants in the first place and then you can be sure you don’t contaminate your products,” says managing director Danny van Deuzen. “It’s not just about the hoist, it’s the complete structure. If you take a steel structure and start welding, you can create pinholes [which can trap contaminants]. We use non-outgassing electrical wiring and non-outgassing cleanroom kit. There are so many products available to prevent any type of contamination.” Drivers for change include an increased focus on ergonomics and safety, according to Sky Hook. “Lifting applications in these environments tend to come from maintenance and repair situations that have developed over time, or were overlooked during the initial equipment design,” says Thomas Christensen, design specialist at the family-run company.

Other factors driving demand depend very much on industry sector. For example, according to John Vander Linden, global product manager for powered chain hoist conductor industry nodes are becoming smaller and there is a desire to move from 300mm to 450mm wafer sizes, which increases the cost of contamination in a fabrication.

Meanwhile, in the food and pharmaceutical industries, “safety and quality are ever increasing public concerns” and manufacturers have to juggle the need to eliminate the risk of contamination while still controlling costs and maintaining or increasing productivity.

While there are several common denominators, specific demands vary according to the industry sector, according to Christensen.

“While the food industry stresses corrosion resistance due to the need for constant wash down, the semi-conductor industry stresses strict particle generation limitations and anti-static assemblies,” he says. “Defence and energy cleanroom environments tend to put more stress on heat generation through braking assemblies.”

Matt Downing, director of sales and marketing at the David Round Company, agrees that the demands depend on each customer’s quality and safety standards for their facility, and their surface finish requirements.

“Some require polished surface finishes,” he says. “In my experience over the last 20 years, the standards are much more stringent in pharmaceutical processing than food processing—however, that is slowly beginning to change.”

Downing said that stainless steel, lubricant-free, corrosion resistant and nonpaint flaking solutions were all top of the list of demands but added that even paint is usually viewed as unacceptable in most cleanroom settings. “It must be all stainless and easy to clean and maintain with as few particulates shedding as possible.”

Meanwhile, at Shupper-Brickle, Litecky said the top demands for its cleanroom customers were containment of lubricants in an enclosed oil bath and stainless steel components. He adds that Shupper- Brickle hoists “start with all moving parts in stainless steel or electroless nickel-clad. This prevents corrosion and minimises particles released into the air. It’s easy to wipe down and keep clean.”

Cleanroom processes make special demands on lifting equipment