American Cleanroom Systems
Request A Quote

All About Softwall Cleanrooms

softwall cleanroom, aluminum frame, clear vinyl cleanroom curtains
Figure 1. Softwall cleanroom

A softwall cleanroom uses clear vinyl curtains hung from painted steel or aluminum frame with HEPA fan filter units mounted on top. For smaller softwall cleanrooms it is not uncommon for the cleanroom to be mounted on casters so it can be moved around.

softwall cleanroom, HEPA fan filter unit, aluminum frame, clear vinyl cleanroom curtains, components are labeled
Figure 2. Softwall cleanroom components

Softwall cleanroom components:

  1. Aluminum or painted steel frame.
  2. Ceiling mounted HEPA fan filter units.
  3. Clear vinyl curtains.
  4. Ceiling mounted LED flat panel lights.
  5. Casters.

Softwall cleanroom air flow is one pass so the HEPA fan filter units pulls air from outside of the cleanroom, filters into and pushes it into the cleanroom. The air then exhausts under the vinyl curtains out of the cleanroom.

softwall cleanroom air flow GIF
Figure 3. Softwall cleanroom air flow simulation

Advantages of softwall cleanrooms:

  • Easy Assembly.
  • Mobility: Smaller softwall cleanrooms are often mounted on casters.
  • Temporary: They can be easily assembled, used, then stored away for later need.
  • Building permits not needed.

Disadvantages for softwall cleanrooms:

  • Not as clean as recirculating cleanrooms since they are one-pass.
  • Cannot be air conditioned.
softwall cleanroom, pharmaceutical cleanroom, cleanroom equipment
Figure 4. Softwall cleanroom inside pharmaceutical modular cleanroom
igh bay softwall cleanroom, 20 ft ceiling, clear vinyl cleanroom curtains
Figure 5. High bay softwall aerospace cleanroom
free standing tall softwall cleanroom, steel frame, clear vinyl cleanroom curtains
Figure 6. Softwall Cleanroom at National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
black laser cleanroom blackout curtains
Figure 7. Laser blackout softwall cleanroom

Summary: Softwall cleanrooms are an alternative to stick built or modular cleanrooms. They are built using aluminum or painted steel frames, clear vinyl curtains, and HEPA fan filter units. Advantages are fast installation and no building permits. Disadvantages include the one pass air flow means softwall cleanrooms are not as cleanroom modular recirculating cleanrooms and air conditioning is not possible.

Property American Cleanroom Systems 2023

The author Anthony Chien has worked at American Cleanroom Systems for more than 10 years .  He has more than 40 years of cleanroom experience. Anthony has a BS and MS in Electrical Engineering specializing in semiconductor manufacturing from the University of Illinois. American Cleanroom Systems is a design build modular cleanroom manufacturer based in Rancho Santa Margarita CA. It is expert in ISO-5 thru ISO-8 (class 100 to class 100k) modular cleanrooms for nutraceutical cleanrooms, pharmaceutical cleanrooms, medical device cleanrooms, and industrial cleanrooms.

More Blog Posts

Read More
American Cleanroom Systems

Need a New Cleanroom Now?

Quotes in 48 hours. Call or Complete Online RFQ Form.

Request A Quote

Contact Us

23221 Arroyo Vista Rancho Santa Margarita California, 92688

Email: Info@AmericanCleanrooms.com

American Cleanroom Systems® 2024 - Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this website owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to American Cleanrooms with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Privacy Policy
 | 
Terms and Conditions
linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram