[labnetwork] FW: Clean Room Garments

[Weaver, John R]

One further observation:

The cleanliness need of your facility is a major factor.  If your research requires you to be at the cleanest levels, such as ISO Class 4 (formerly Class 10) and cleaner, then you are generally driven to launderable garments and a carefully controlled cleanroom laundry.  Disposable garments certainly won't get you there and the control of in-house laundering is difficult.  It requires continuous (high-frequency periodic) monitoring of cleaning performance. It also requires maintenance of the equipment and recertification of cleanliness after maintenance. 

If you can live with higher levels of particle shedding from the garments, the other options certainly become feasible and Mario's comments are a great guideline.

John

John R. Weaver
Facility Manager
Birck Nanotechnology Center
Purdue University
(765) 494-5494
jrweaver at purdue.edu


-----Original Message-----
From: labnetwork-bounces at mtl.mit.edu [mailto:labnetwork-bounces at mtl.mit.edu] On Behalf Of Mario Portillo
Sent: Wednesday, December 02, 2009 10:08 AM
To: labnetwork at mtl.mit.edu
Subject: [labnetwork] Clean Room Garments

Dear Labnetwork Members,

Having been 35 years in photolithography I visit Laboratories like yours globally, I would like to share with you my humble observations..

NOT ALL BUDGETS ARE CREATED EQUAL....What works well for one does not mean it is the most economical choice...only means you have the money.

1) "Launder Your Own" seems to be globally the number one choice and of course the most budget forgiving.. It is the most troublesome as you need to assign staff/students to take care of this. It can be a headache to keep a constant fluidity of these garments into the cleanroom at certain times of the year. Budget vs. Headaches......I think budget wins...

2) "Hired Outside Services" Expensive initially to buy the garments and pay for laudering services. Depending on your geographical location it can be expensive to maintain.

3) "Hired Outside Services" Rent the garments and laundering services.
Depending on number of students I think the most expensive in the long run.

4) "Throw Away Garments" unless you buy big quantities at a good price and the wear n tear is resonable low, it can be expensive also....

In my opinion.....your budget determines your choice.

Regards

Mario A. Portillo Sr.
High'born Technology USA Inc.
Semiconductor Equipment Services
5970 SW 18th St. Suite 227
Boca Raton, FL 33433
561 504-0244 cell
561 470-1975 office
561 395-0074 fax
hbtusainc at yahoo.com  www.hbtusainc.com

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