SwissOptic × item

Cleanroom systems for highly sensitive manufacturing

When launching a new production line, SwissOptic created separate cleanroom-within-a-cleanroom systems. Based on item components, the solutions satisfy the most stringent demands in terms of cleanliness.

SEMICONDUCTORSCLEAN PRODUCTIONSWITZERLAND

SwissOptic cleanroom assembly cells made with item profiles

Project at a glance

16: Mini-environments
CLASS 5: Cleanroom classification
4: Filter Fan Units per cell ceiling
20+ YEARS: Partnership with item

SwissOptic – sensitive components in the cleanroom

SwissOptic AG is a leading international company in the optics sector. Since 1997, it has been developing, manufacturing and integrating optics, mechanical elements and electronics to create innovative system solutions for a range of industries. In addition to its headquarters in Switzerland, the company also has a branch in Wuhan, China. SwissOptic uses cleanrooms to manufacture highly sensitive components for the metrology, semi-conductor, medical technology, industrial manufacturing, security and aviation sectors.

The company has had a successful partnership with item for over 20 years, and decided to refurbish its cleanroom for a new production line that was to be used in the semiconductor industry. The aim was to boost production capacity, improve the working environment and achieve a higher cleanroom class.

The challenge

The existing cleanroom needed to be brought up to date for the new production line. It no longer satisfied the strict cleanliness requirements associated with the sensitive production processes. The challenge was to create flexible, cleanroom-compatible work areas that would boost production capacity. At the same time, the costs for the refurbishment had to be kept as low as possible. What’s more, the new work areas had to achieve higher cleanroom classes and exhibit lower particle concentrations. Another challenge was to implement ergonomic principles, with optimum tool positioning and digital integration at the work bench.

SwissOptic technician working in a clean production environment

SOLUTION

A bespoke solution

The mini-environments from item have been used to create 16 functional assembly cells that satisfy cleanroom class 5. They offer flexible work areas for the production, inspection and cleaning of optomechanical and electronic assemblies. The mini-environments consist of partial enclosures based on aluminium profiles with integrated work benches. They meet the strictest requirements in terms of cleanliness. As a cleanroom-in-a-cleanroom, the cells form a self-contained unit. By refurbishing its cleanroom, SwissOptic was not only able to increase its production capacity, it also created added flexibility, as the assembly cells can now be moved from place to place within the production line, as required.