One of the most important types of screwdriving tools in the business isn’t built on speed or strength, but cleanliness. Today on the ASG Express Blog we’re all about cleanrooms.
Most of the options you’ll find here on ASG Express combine all the highly sought-after features needed to complete a cleanroom fastening process. We have many options which combine all
the features of a cleanroom screwdriver with soft stop shock-absorbing clutches & ESD safe screwdriver features.
Those familiar with cleanrooms likely have extensive training in contamination control theory under their belt. This helps meet the standards of scientific research, precision assembly, AND safety from the operator perspective.
The tools used in this process also must meet these stringent guidelines. Electric screwdrivers with soft stop clutches are designed to minimize the vibrations to the assembly part to maintain the full integrity of the build. Manual torque wrenches cleared for cleanroom use will often have built-in cam-over mechanics for the same purpose. Meanwhile, ESD safe tools limit static electricity and are perfect for components with shock sensitivities such as computer hard drives.
This Hios SS-4000 4mm Electric Screwdriver available on ASG Express with free priority shipping, 100% in stock guarantee, and the lowest price or 10% off is a perfect example:
Cleanroom screwdrivers are used extensively in industries
such as semiconductor manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, biotech, medical device,
and life sciences, as well as aerospace, optics, military, and Department of
Energy applications.
The History of Cleanroom Standards
Global standards for cleanrooms were adopted from a set of specifications
put in place by the U.S. General Service Administration. They are now ranked by
ISO standards, but the maximum particle standards which were in place prior to
2001 are still pretty much enforced – just on a global scale.
To quickly breakdown the standards, ISO Class 9, the most
relaxed of the ratings, can be equated to the air quality of a walk in a major
city. ISO Class 1, on the other hand, has a tolerance of .1 micron per cubic
meter of space.
For those of you interested in the particle particulars, the
sheet below highlights the tolerances of each ISO level:
| Class | maximum particles/m3 | FED STD 209E | |||||
| >=0.1 µm | >=0.2 µm | >=0.3 µm | >=0.5 µm | >=1 µm | >=5 µm | equivalent | |
| ISO 1 | 10 | 2 | |||||
| ISO 2 | 100 | 24 | 10 | 4 | |||
| ISO 3 | 1,000 | 237 | 102 | 35 | 8 | Class 1 | |
| ISO 4 | 10,000 | 2,370 | 1,020 | 352 | 83 | Class 10 | |
| ISO 5 | 100,000 | 23,700 | 10,200 | 3,520 | 832 | 29 | Class 100 |
| ISO 6 | 1,000,000 | 237,000 | 102,000 | 35,200 | 8,320 | 293 | Class 1,000 |
| ISO 7 | 352,000 | 83,200 | 2,930 | Class 10,000 | |||
| ISO 8 | 3,520,000 | 832,000 | 29,300 | Class 100,000 | |||
| ISO 9 | 35,200,000 | 8,320,000 | 293,000 | Room Air | |||
If you have any additional questions, have an application with screw sizes outside the ranges we offer, or need help selecting the correct cleanroom screwdriver, please contact ASG Customer Service at 888-486-6163 or [email protected].