Precision Manufacturing Clean Room: Akribis Systems Retrofit

Precision manufacturing clean rooms are special projects due to the distinct set of requirements that each client presents. These rooms are used to execute very intricate and detailed labor, specifically the assembly of direct-drive motors and motion platforms, within a strict air-quality environment. Therefore, their level of singularity is what turns them into a precise and deft process. The design and construction of these areas require us to consider the intended use, permissible particle concentration, location, manufacturing process, and spatial limitations.

Each of these variants fluctuates heavily depending on the industry and geography. And each one comes with its own set of challenges.

Challenges

As we mentioned before, the challenges rely on the room’s nature and the standards it must live up to. For the Akribis Systems facility in Singapore, the continuous equatorial heat and 90% humidity presented a severe external challenge. 

Moreover, space is also a critical factor of success. When working in a retrofit scenario, the process can get complicated. The existing mechanical room offered extremely confined dimensions, meaning a standard commercial unit would not fit. For this reason, it is crucial to operate under a thorough custom design plan to achieve a safe and controlled environment.

Production Room Client Requirements

Our client came to us needing a clean room for assembling precision electronic devices. Because they required a high cleanliness level with flatlined temperature and humidity control, we discussed details further to meet their needs.

They needed us to make minimal modifications to the existing building while overcoming the massive latent heat loads of the region. They also needed a system capable of long-cycle, stable operation without the risk of system failures that could disrupt their delicate manufacturing process.

Our Clean Room Solution, Design and Installation

The key to successfully developing a Clean Room, as we have learned, is adaptability. To create a safe and clean environment within the cramped mechanical space, we bypassed standard sizing and utilized a customized modular Direct Expansion (DX) solution. By re-engineering the internal layout, we configured 6 specialized Purification AHUs and 12 DX outdoor condensing units. With this technology, the footprint is minimized and perfectly adapted to the tight space without sacrificing cooling capacity.

However, one requirement every Clean Room must comply with is air particle control. To minimize the introduction, generation, and retention of new particles inside the room, we utilized our 50W-Series Purification AHUs. The clean room featured a frameless, concealed-reinforcement casing with a perfectly smooth interior. The reduction of internal ridges has a positive effect on the cleanliness level, preventing the growth of micro-organisms such as bacteria and fungus. Each project is under strict international guidelines, complying fully with European EN1886 and German VDI 6022-1 standards.

Given the specific nature of the equatorial climate, conventional compressor cycling is inadequate. We integrated staged heat exchange technology with a centralized PLC system. Through smart control algorithms and a pattern of high-precision sensors, the system dynamically adapts to the indoor load to maintain constant dehumidification.

Because of the modular design and our expert installation crew, we completed the mechanical installation, system linkage, and parameter tuning onsite with minimal disruption to the active work area. Our Clean Room facilities, production standards, and dedication to quality mean our clients in the precision electronics industry can confidently rely on us.