Direct hit with mobile fogger

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The CAT Clean Air Technology GmbH has expanded its product portfolio with the even more powerful ultrasonic mist generator VP18-2012 at the top end. The device is highly popular with customers.

Steffen Hild, Managing Director of CAT Clean Air Technology GmbH based in Stuttgart, has introduced a number of groundbreaking innovations in cleanroom technology over the past few years. However, he did not expect his latest "child," the ultrasonic mist generator VP18-2012, to make such a significant impact. "Our customers are literally tearing the mobile mist generator out of our hands," Hild sums up the strong demand.

The sales success is no coincidence: Compared to its sister models VP6-2012 and VP12-2012, the VP18-2012 generates an even higher, denser, and more contrast-rich mist output by disintegrating deionized water via ultrasonic modules, allowing for even more meaningful results. According to CAT, the generator is among the most powerful devices of its kind worldwide. As with its sister models, only pure water is used in the VP18-2012 – no oil and no nitrogen. This eliminates the need for re-cleaning visualized areas, and flow visualization can be performed both in the idle state of the cleanroom and during operation.

Additional advantages of the VP18-2012 include that the mist generation occurs without any delay, and the intensity of the mist output can be individually adjusted via a potentiometer – an electrical resistance component – on the device, as well as through an additional throttle valve mounted on the generator hose. "Burns," which can occur when in contact with liquid nitrogen, do not happen with the DI water mist generator. At the same time, the compact device weighs only a fraction of a nitrogen mist generator and is therefore much more flexible to handle.

The quick refilling of the device is simple and without delay via the mist outlet nozzle. Like the basic model VP6-2012 and the medium model VP12-2012, the VP18-2012 features a monoblock design, with all system components housed within a single protected unit. An optional remote system control is also available.

Particles efficiently on the trail

"With our mist generators, customers receive devices that enable them to optimally position production equipment through flow visualizations, conduct situation audits or inventory assessments of flow conditions, and track down unresolved particle and contamination sources," says Steffen Hild. Customers can perform flow visualizations themselves or commission CAT to do so. CAT engineers document the current situation with videos and digital photos, then analyze the results and suggest optimization possibilities.

The reason why flow visualizations are a central preventive measure in microelectronics, surface technology, semiconductor manufacturing, medical technology, hospitals, pharmaceutical industry, biotechnology, or food industry is obvious: particles in cleanrooms cause damages amounting to millions annually in Germany alone. Often, the cause is only identified when it is already too late. According to ISO 14644-3 Annex B7 and VDI 2083-3, flow visualizations are required periodically to identify areas with low or inadequate air exchange and areas where particles can accumulate.

Such visualizations are therefore as indispensable before commissioning a cleanroom as after renovations or when modifications are made to adapt equipment and machinery to the manufacturing processes of a new product. It must also be demonstrated that the airflow conditions do not deteriorate as a result. And this is easily achievable with the CAT ultrasonic mist generator VP18-2012.