Molecules at your fingertips

The new cleanroom of toolcraft AG is consistently designed to control molecular contamination (Airborne Molecular Contamination AMC). (Photo: CAT Group)

If it concerns contamination in a cleanroom, the primary monitoring goal is usually "particles." This is not surprising, as particles are present in the air in the millions — per cubic meter, mind you. However, there is another form of contamination that is often underestimated during the planning and implementation of cleanrooms: molecular contamination (Airborne Molecular Contamination AMC). This refers to gaseous or vaporous substances, often outgassing from materials, process chemicals, or volatile organic compounds. Molecular contaminations are usually much smaller than particles and can lead to uncontrollable chemical reactions, corrosion, or film formation on surfaces.

toolcraft AG in Georgensgmünd is now commissioning a state-of-the-art cleanroom, whose planning and implementation were consistently focused on controlling molecular contamination. The specialist for additive and subtractive manufacturing technologies as well as customized automation solutions set the highest requirements for the environmental conditions of the approximately 600-square-meter cleanroom of ISO Class 6 from the outset.

For the implementation of this demanding project, toolcraft AG commissioned CAT Clean Air Technology GmbH from Stuttgart. "We were looking for a partner who not only has extensive experience in cleanroom technology but is also absolutely proficient in the field of molecular contamination," says Markus Miehling, Head of Quality Assurance and Technical Cleaning at toolcraft.

The commissioning included, among other things, the planning and realization of the entire ventilation, cooling, dehumidification, and measurement and control technology, the compressed air distribution, the cleanroom enclosure areas, and the cleanroom furniture. Additionally, the overall coordination, commissioning, regulation, and initial qualification.

In a remarkably short time — just under a year — the project team completed the complex construction. About 20 toolcraft employees will now perform component-specific assemblies for the high-tech industry in the new cleanroom in a 3-shift operation, as well as work in the area of cooling channel and spray cleaning.

toolcraft AG, headquartered in Middle Franconia's Georgensgmünd, specializes in manufacturing high-end precision components as well as customized automation and engineering solutions. The family-owned company, founded in 1989, employs nearly 500 staff at two locations. Additionally, toolcraft has established a strategic foothold in Asia through a stake in PT.YPTI in Indonesia.