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Desiccators Keep Products in Spec
Desiccator storage has become critical in more and more manufacturing operations. A look at the costly effects of moisture exposure explains why. As critical components become smaller and more sophisticated, their susceptibility to moisture damage increases. Once absorbed by sensitive components, water creates a number of potentially disastrous conditions. Even minute traces of oxidation, the most notorious result of moisture exposure, can degrade soldering and other manufacturing processes.
Nitrogen-purged desiccators
One common method of dealing with moisture contamination is to remove it before each manufacturing step. In the semiconductor industry, vacuum processing and bake-and-bag methods of IC drying accomplish this, but these operations slow down production, particularly if they must be repeated several times in the course of circuit manufacturing. Further, these baking and sealing processes themselves expose parts to thermal extremes that can cause damage.
Recovery time: Compensating for access
In a large, multi-chamber enclosure with a single exit bleed valve, it might take 30 min or more to remove this moisture and recover the relative humidity setpoint. If another door is opened during this time, this recovery time will be extended. In fact, during periods of frequent parts access, the desiccator may never attain the humidity setpoint, and parts could be seriously threatened.
Compounding Cleanrooms
In order for a pharmacy compounder to safely and properly mix prescriptions according to legal regulations, a compounding cleanroom is required. The cleanroom, also referred to as a secondary engineering control (SEC) room, is where you will use and house specific equipment such as a laminar air flow workstation (LAFW) and a compounding aseptic isolator (CAI).
Pharmacies are governed under Section 503A of the Compounding Quality Act and must meet minimum cleanliness requirements in order to pass regulation and ensure sterile conditions for compounding. Following and adhering to these requirements is pertinent to providing safe conditions both for you and for the recipients of the prescriptions, especially when compounding prescriptions that are considered hazardous.
How to choose Cleanroom Walls
When creating a controlled cleanroom environment, it's important to consider every part of the construction carefully, including the walls, ceilings and floors. Cleanroom walls must be able to keep out contaminants, such as airborne particles, as well as allowing you to create an environment where the air flow, temperature and humidity are controlled.
Cleanroom Ceilings
Your cleanroom is one of the most important parts of your laboratory. This sterile and safe environment protects your experiments from contamination. To obtain the level of control you need over your cleanroom environment, you need to take extreme care when selecting the materials that compose every aspect of the room, from the floor to the ceiling.
