Semiconductor clean room equipment controls an area where contamination is strictly limited to a specific number of contaminant particles of a specific size per cubic meter. Clean rooms are classified according to the size and number of contaminant particles allowed per area air volume. To maintain controlled contaminant levels air is filtered as it enters the clean room and once inside is constantly moved through high efficiency particulate air filters and ultra-low penetration air filters.

Some clean rooms, depending on their classifications, have air showers outside to decontaminate those entering the room, and include ionizers inside to eliminate the danger of electrostatic discharge. The use of semiconductor clean room design and construction equipment in creating a clean room environment must receive careful consideration to ensure a successful semiconductor end product.

1. Engage a semiconductor clean room consulting firm.

2. Select semiconductor clean room design and construction equipment based on quality.

3. Consider outsourcing semiconductor systems clean room functions.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Contract a semiconductor clean room facilities construction consulting firm

Engage a semiconductor clean room facilities construction consulting firm before you begin construction of a clean room to ensure that the finished clean room is up to standard and ready to produce a quality semiconductor end product.

I recommend: CPS Certification Services consults on semiconductor clean room construction equipment, clean room designs for semiconductors, clean-build and microcleaning programs, audits and evaluations, training of clean room personnel and development of procedures. Cleanroom Consulting ensures you "get it right the first time." Cleanroom Consulting consults on both semiconductor clean room design equipment and semiconductor clean room construction equipment. They also conduct post construction performance audits and technical analysis.

Choose semiconductor clean room design and construction equipment based on the chosen classification

Clean room design and construction equipment ranges from air quality systems to ceiling and floor material, to the furniture and other surfaces placed in the room post construction. In other words, everything the air in the clean room touches is considered to be design and construction equipment. It all requires thoughtful attention.

I recommend: Browse the semiconductor clean room design equipment and the semiconductor construction equipment suppliers listed in the clean rooms section of Industrial Quick Search. Each of these providers is a clean room outfitting specialist. Go to Industrial 101 and find semiconductor cleanroom design and semiconductor cleanroom construction professionals and suppliers to meet your clean room needs regardless of the chosen classification.

Consider outsourcing semiconductor clean room functions for a better product while saving money

In the early stages of semiconductor manufacturing, companies were relatively unconcerned about the cost of in-house clean room facilities. They simply folded the cost into the price of the product. However, as the industry became more competitive, and when national and international standards tightened, it became more cost effective for some organizations to outsource clean room functions to specialty contractors. Maintaining an in-house clean room represents approximately 35% of semiconductor manufacturing costs.

I recommend: American Semiconductor (AS) is a semiconductor wafer foundry that maintains a 16,000 square-foot clean room. AS handles all segments of wafer manufacture and processing for reduced manufacturing costs. DALSA Semiconductor only manufactures semiconductors as a partner to fabless and fab-lite semiconductor companies. DALSA uses more than 35,000 square feet of clean room space ranging from Class 10 to Class 1000 and maintains 44 patents and patent pending applications for semiconductor process technologies.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  It's important to remember that all equipment used in fabricating clean room semiconductors is a potential source of particulate contamination. Encase electrical cords in Teflon cable casings and make sure that every screw used inside the clean room, either for the structure or any furniture or equipment, is anodized to remove all oils and lubricants applied during manufacture. Even the smallest amount of substance produces airborne droplets of oily substance that ruin semiconductor components.