CleanRooms articles from September 2007

CleanRooms archives from September 2007

FDA is out of step.(from the editor)
September 1, 2007... Sometimes epiphanies just jump out at me. For example, here's one that just came to me recently. Why is the FDA continually sending out those public reports about various food and drug manufacturing companies that have failed this or that...

Semiconductor industry adopts a range of contamination detection technologies.(news)
September 1, 2007... Contamination detection today is a technology not only of sight and sound but also of the ion. The latest advances incorporate laser, sound wave, and helium ion-based detection technologies--all now in use in semiconductor manufacturing, as...

Purafil director honored with ASHRAE Distinguished Service Award.(news)(American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... During the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers' (ASHRAE) annual meeting in Long Beach, CA, Purafil's technical director Chris Muller was honored with a Distinguished Service Award (DSA). Muller, a 12-year...

Omnetics completes cleanroom build.(PARTICLES)
September 1, 2007... Omnetics Connector Corporation, a manufacturer of miniature high-reliability connectors for OEMs, has completed construction of a 340-sq.-ft. cleanroom within its Minneapolis manufacturing plant. The cleanroom will be used for cleaning,...

Proven process medical devices relocates.(PARTICLES)
September 1, 2007... Proven Process Medical Devices, a contract R&D and manufacturing firm specializing in electromechanical medical devices and equipment, has moved its U.S. headquarters to a new 43,000-sq.-ft. facility in Mansfield, MA. The location represents an...

Asia-Pacific to grab one-third of IC market by 2011.(PARTICLES)
September 1, 2007... In its latest report on worldwide IC sales, Arizona-based IC Insights says that Asia-Pacific companies have grown from holding only 2 percent of the IC market in 1985 to 26 percent in 2006. The Asia-Pacific IC supplier segment is primarily...

Bosch closes Pharmatec deal.(PARTICLES)
September 1, 2007... The Bosch Group has acquired Pharmatec GmbH, a leader in pharmaceutical plant engineering (Dresden, Germany) with a focus on hygienic and sterile process technologies, from Fresenius ProServe GmbH. Part of this transaction is Pharmatec...

CoorsTek polymer USP Class VI-approved.(PARTICLES)
September 1, 2007... CoorsTek, a provider of technical ceramics and producer of PTFE-based polymer seals and components, has received USP Class VI approval for its advanced Tetralon 240 polymer used in pharmaceutical and biomedical applications. The material is...

CleanRooms to host third webcast in series.(news)
September 1, 2007... On October 16, 2007, at 1:00pm EST; CleanRooms magazine editor-in-chief John Haystead will moderate the third in a series of live, interactive webcasts--"USP : Implementing Practical & Available Solutions"--which will host a select mix of...

Energy costs drive innovation: facing pressure to reduce energy consumption, architects, designers, and operators are working from the ground up to build more efficient clean environments.(special report)(Cover story)
September 1, 2007... Energy cost reduction continues to be, a driving force behind most of the innovations in state-of-the-art cleanroom design and construction. With the fuel price bubble refusing to burst, and environmentalists clamoring for industries to lighten...

STMicroelectronics demonstrates how 'clean' can be 'green'.
September 1, 2007... Semiconductor giant STMicroelectronics' public commitment to environmental responsibility has won it publicity, praise, and more than 50 international awards, including the European Business Award for the Environment and the inaugural Low...

Use clean benches to control particulate contamination: various types of clean benches are available that can serve as a more economical means to achieving specific cleanroom class areas within a critical environment.(laminar flow workstations)
September 1, 2007... Clean benches are one type of mini clean environment and offer a convenient method of controlling particulate contamination within a controlled work area. They do not require a user to be gowned, but individuals will often wear gloves and arm...

Real-world improvement in ionization system performance: facility-wide ionization monitoring and control systems maintain yield and productivity.(advanced ionization systems)
September 1, 2007... Ionization is a facilities requirement that is critical for the maintenance of production yield and output. Unfortunately, it can be very difficult to monitor and control. Typical systems include hundreds of ceiling emitter air ionizers...

Steam delivery method improves oxide growth rate and uniformity: using new steamer design, silicon oxidation process shows up to 20 percent improvement in oxide uniformity.(steam-based oxide growth)
September 1, 2007... Oxidation of silicon is a common and frequent step in the manufacture of integrated circuits (ICs). The success or failure of the IC manufacturer often depends on the ability to grow a uniform oxide film quickly and repeatedly. Water vapor is...

Lighter-weight fixture offers flexible ceiling placement.(cleanroom lighting)
September 1, 2007... The Bio-Seal is the most technically advanced grid and flange cleanroom troffer available. It is certified for Class 100 (ISO 5), IP66, NSF, and Class 1 Division 2 spaces. The standard seam-welded aluminum body radiates lamp and ballast heat to...

Standard and custom cleanroom lighting systems.(cleanroom lighting)
September 1, 2007... Choosing cleanroom lighting fixtures that won't leak, introduce toxicity or corrosion, add excessive heat, or create potentially unsafe conditions is crucial to each cleanroom environment. Innotech Products offers a quality line of cleanroom...

NSF-certified lighting suitable for harsh environments.(cleanroom lighting)
September 1, 2007... LDPI Lighting's 376 Series wet/damp fluorescent light fixtures have recently been tested and certified by NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) International to NSF/ANSI Standard 2. The fixtures are designed for use in a variety of areas where...

Light-emitting diode bulbs replace direct incandescent systems.(cleanroom lighting)
September 1, 2007... LEDtronics' latest generation of PAR20 LED short-neck light bulbs replace direct incandescent bulbs, combining advanced light-emitting diode (LED) technology, standard 25 mm Edison screw bases, and a light-optimizing design to produce vivid...

Dry-block calibrator.(new products)
September 1, 2007... The new JOFRA[TM] ATC-125 Ultra Cooler from AMETEKT-Americas is the first dry-block calibrator capable of reaching -90[degrees]C and also is able to reach temperatures as high as +125[degrees]C, for a total temperature range of 215[degrees]C....

Optical gas detection system.(new products)
September 1, 2007... The ChemLogic 8 is a continuous eight-point gas detection system targeted for the detection of low-level toxic and corrosive gases. The Chem Logic 8 has an optimized flow system that draws samples 250 ft at 2.5 LPM. This system offers a...

High-pressure controller for particle counting.(new products)
September 1, 2007... Designed using the latest technology in high-pressure gas components, the Lighthouse Worldwide Solutions HPC 1100 allows attachment of Lighthouse 0.1 [micro]m particle counters to high pressure (30-150 psi) inert gas systems. This provides...

Laminar flow workbenches.(new products)
September 1, 2007... Laminar flow workstations provide dust- and particle-free work areas for sensitive testing and assembly. IAC Industries' laminar flow industrial workbenches are recommended for any Class 100 (ISO 5) area. The workbenches are offered in both...

Ultrafiltration cassettes for bioprocessing.(new products)
September 1, 2007... Biopharmaceutical manufacturers require efficient, high-throughput ultra-filtration technologies to handle higher protein concentrations. To address this need, Pall Corporation introduces the new Omega[TM] T-Series Membrane Cassettes. The...

Bulk gas purification system.(new products)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... The Entegris Aeronex[R] Gas Purification System (AGPS) Z2 series brings advanced contamination control technology to bulk gas purification for dry and immersion-based lithography tools. As part of the Entegris Clarilite solution, the AGPS will...

Tabletop cleanroom robot.(new products)
September 1, 2007... KUKA Robotics Corporation has introduced its KUKA KR5 Sixx CR six-axis cleanroom and splash-proof robot. The Sixx robot family was designed for customers with applications requiring six-axis functionality for long-reach tasks. Due to its small...

Vacuum pump traps.(new products)
September 1, 2007... A new series of replaceable filter elements for the full line of MV Products vacuum-pump inlet traps, which target specific types of process byproducts, includes four new types: a proprietary activated carbon media for ammonia vapors,...

Abrasion-resistant nitrile gloves.(new products)
September 1, 2007... Sempermed[R] now offers SemperGuard[R] industrial nitrile powdered and powder-free gloves as an alternative to natural rubber latex. SemperGuard gloves are suitable for individuals who are at risk of becoming sensitive to natural rubber latex....

Aseptic filling machine.(new products)
September 1, 2007... Fast, accurate dispensing of pharmaceutical and biotechnology serums and fluids, easy product changeover, elimination of cross-contamination, and simplified aseptic filling and cleaning validation are possible in a seamless process with the new...

Grounding monitors for electronics assembly.(new products)
September 1, 2007... A new family of monitors from 3M provides complete surveillance of grounding in electronics assembly, particularly for soldering irons and process tools. The 3M Down to Earth brand Monitor Series, which features devices smaller than a cell...

Capped single-tip swab.(new products)
September 1, 2007... Qosina introduces a new swab with cap (Part # 17647). The 6-inch long, single-use cotton-tipped applicator is well suited to collecting contamination-free samples and specimens. The polypropylene vented cap slides down the wood shaft to allow...

Disposable plastic module with positive seal.(new products)
September 1, 2007... Purafil, Inc. has released the 2nd Generation MediaPAK disposable plastic module. The module features the new taper fit closure (TFC), which offers a quick-connect positive mechanical seal providing a leak-free zone. In addition to the TFC, the...

Combination steam and distillation system.(new products)
September 1, 2007... The combined pure steam and distillation unit Combitron from Christ simplifies the provision of ultra-pure media: Instead of using two units, pure steam and water for injection (WFI) can be generated in a single unit. This is made possible by...

Solvent cartridge filters.(new products)
September 1, 2007... Millipore Corporation has announced the availability of Fortis SL cartridge filters. With broad chemical and caustic compatibility of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), these filters are appropriate for use in the manufacture of active...

Germicidal UVC lamps.(new products)
September 1, 2007... American Ultraviolet Company offers a high output (800 mA), low mercury ([less than or equal to]8 mg) UVC lamp for improving the efficiency of indoor air-quality systems. The easily disposable "green" lamps, which are also available as standard...

Tabletop vial-filling system.(new products)
September 1, 2007... Bosch Pharmaceutical USA, a Bosch Packaging Technology company, augments its vial-filling line with the FLT1020, a system designed for increased efficiency in clinical trials. The new filler is a downsized alternative to larger vial filling...

Cartridge dust collectors featuring explosion vent.(new products)
September 1, 2007... Farr Air Pollution Control is now offering its popular Gold Series[R] dust collector with a new high-performance explosion vent for applications involving the capture of explosive dusts. The new "X-vent" is manufactured in accordance with NFPA...

Long-life silicon tubing.(new products)
September 1, 2007... AdvantaPure's APSPG silicone tubing is designed for peristaltic pumps. APSPG is made to withstand repeated compression and release for consistent, dependable performance in pharmaceutical, biomedical, biotech, chemical, laboratory, and R&D...

Vibration-canceling system.(new products)
September 1, 2007... Technical Manufacturing Corporation's Electro-Damp[R] PZT active inertial vibration cancelation system combines features of the company's STACIS[R] active hard-mount and its Electro-Damp[R] active air-mount systems; piezoelectric actuators and...

Adopting appropriate aseptic technique: enforcing adequate aseptic procedures will ensure patient and personnel safety.(compounding corner)
September 1, 2007... Compounding sterile preparations (CSPs) are made utilizing aseptic technique. Aseptic technique is a microbiological term referring to the prevention of microorganism contamination. The procedure involves the use of specialized equipment,...

Calendar.(Brief article)(Calendar)
September 1, 2007... To announce your organization's upcoming conferences and meetings (date, location, and information), e-mail: carriem@pennwell.com. OCTOBER 9-11 SEMICON Europa 2007. New Stuttgart Trade Fair Center, Stuttgart, Germany. For more...