AIA: Curtains Provide Flexible Clean Room Conditions
The liquid crystal display (LCD) rear-projection televisions and plasma-based direct-view televisions assembled at the Sony Technology Center-Pittsburgh (STC-P, Mt. Pleasant, PA) contain very precise components. Along with rendering a clear, finely detailed picture, the technology can amplify the slightest spec of dirt that finds its way into the microdisplay assembly.
Many companies address this quality control problem by building, solid-wall cleanrooms that are tightly sealed from floor to ceiling to keep out debris. Sony, however, elected to control dirt and dust in its screen manufacturing area-rather than try to eliminate it completely-using a system incorporating a Power Roll roll-up door and curtain walls from Goff's Enterprises Inc. (Pewaukee, WI). The curtain walls match the conditions of a class 10,000 cleanroom, with the help of fans that create a pressurized environment to keep out dust and debris. The walls also provide flexibility, because they can be easily reconfigured.