With 22,000 employees worldwide, Vishay is one of the largest manufacturers of discrete semiconductor elements and passive electronic components. The headquarters for the European region is located in Selb in Upper Franconia. With the investment in almost 500 square meters of new clean room facilities for the production of highly stable resistors, the German production site has been strengthened once again.
Highly sensitive components
The international demand for electronic components is constantly increasing. The advancing miniaturization and complexity of electronics is opening up new developments and sales markets. Vishay Intertechnology supplies high-end components for electronic products and plays a leading technological role in this market segment. The quality and long-term stability of the components is of decisive importance for the function of the end products. The manufacture and assembly of the highly stable resistors require a virtually particle-free environment. As the function of the highly sensitive components is impaired by even the smallest impurities, the production process takes place under controlled clean room conditions.
In order to be able to implement the increasing order volume flexibly and to the usual high standard, the production capacity for passive resistors in Selb was expanded by a 500 square meter ISO class 7 clean room facility.
The management of the Selb site explains the investment:
“The Selb production site is a mainstay of Vishay. With over 800 employees, we are the largest employer in the region. We invest a lot in our training and technical equipment. We can only stay ahead with innovation and a technological edge. It is of the utmost importance for our customers to receive electrical components that perform their function flawlessly without exception. Only virtually particle-free production under cleanroom conditions can guarantee the flawless functioning of our products.”
Individual planning with cleanroom experts
The company SCHILLING ENGINEERING from Baden-Württemberg, which specializes in cleanroom technology, was commissioned to implement the technically sophisticated system. The new Cleanroom was planned in close consultation and individually adapted to the production conditions and spatial requirements.
The cleanroom system CleanCell 4.0® with a total area of 500 square meters guarantees a constant clean room air quality of clean room class ISO 7. The clean room system houses machines and workstations for the production of the smallest electronic resistors. Three rooms divide different work areas. The areas are connected by interlocking electric sliding doors or hinged doors. A 30 square meter personnel airlock provides sufficient space for employees to change. The airlock is actively purged with ultra-clean air and ensures zone changes and safe processes in the tightest of spaces. Material airlocks ensure the safe entry and exit of sensitive components.
After a few weeks in production, the conclusion of the production in Selb is positive:
“The technicians from Schilling Engineering installed a custom-made Cleanroom for us. We were always in close contact and were able to implement our wishes well. We attach great importance to quality and have also adhered to this principle in the cleanroom technology installed. The cleanroom system is already in operation and meets our high standards. So far, we are really very satisfied and our production has once again improved in terms of quality and reliability.”
Modular, energy-efficient system
The cleanroom system CleanCell 4.0® is equipped with high-performance ULPA class U15 filters. Directed air flows remove the smallest airborne particles from the working environment. An innovative recirculation and return air system within the cleanroom walls ensures precise cleanroom purging and is also highly energy-efficient, as the air that has already been filtered and cooled is fed back into the air exchange cycle. The cleanroom-compatible LED lighting also helps to reduce operating costs.
The control system, which can be accessed via a central touchscreen, ensures safe control and monitoring of the cleanroom CR Control®. All important functions of the cleanroom, including the air conditioning technology, are monitored and recorded and can be individually controlled and regulated. Remote maintenance is also possible via the system.
The cleanroom system has a modular design and is connected with a silicone-free sealing clip system. This guarantees an extremely high level of tightness of the cleanrooms, low particle emission and offers the advantage of flexible expansion options. The cleanrooms were handed over qualified and ready for operation and could be put into operation without any start-up problems. By investing in the ultra-modern and flexible cleanroom facilities, the Vishay Group is consolidating its importance in the electronics industry and confirming the positive development of the German high-tech location in Selb.
This article was published: Reinraumtechnik 3/2017, Wiley Verlag
