e-skin soft ESD

First energy chains with dry cleanroom certification ISO Class 1

There are two adversaries in modern battery production: moisture and contamination. Machines and systems must therefore function in extremely dry environments that have a relative humidity of less than 1%. They must not release any particles that could damage the sensitive cell materials. This also poses a challenge for energy chains that guide cables and hoses to moving machine parts, for example in cell assembly. Frictional conditions change in extreme dryness, which can increase wear and particle emissions. "For this demanding scenario, we have developed e-skin soft ESD systems. They are made of high-performance plastic that is particularly abrasion-resistant, so that virtually no particles are emitted even during fast movements in an extremely dry atmosphere," says Kira Weller, Product Manager for e-chains and cleanroom expert at igus. Proof is provided by a new certificate from the Fraunhofer IPA, according to which the e-skin soft ESD is the world's first energy chain in dry cleanrooms to achieve the highest degree, ISO Cleanroom Class 1. Weller: "The certificate is an important milestone for us. With the global expansion of battery production, the requirements for process reliability and purity are constantly increasing. We assume that industry and regulators will therefore demand even higher standards in future. Energy chains certified according to ISO 1 already provide the security for future high-purity production plants in the battery industry."

Certification possible due to the new Fraunhofer IPA test facility

igus has been working with the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA for several years to have its energy chain systems independently tested and certified. However, specifically for dry cleanrooms testing technology previously set limits. In the past, certifications were only possible up to ISO Class 4 under dry cleanroom conditions. With a new test facility, the Fraunhofer IPA can now examine particle emission behaviour under dry cleanroom conditions up to ISO Class 1 for the first time. The results create additional transparency for users who have the highest requirements for cleanliness and process safety. Two designs for a wide variety of