Cleanroom panels are critical components in various industries, including electronics, pharmaceuticals, food processing, aerospace, and scientific research. They are designed to create controlled environments with strict cleanliness standards. However, when it comes to cleanroom panels, users often wonder about the differences between manual and mechanized versions. Why is manual cleanroom panel pricing higher than mechanized? Let’s explore the key distinctions between the two types of panels.

Core Differences Between Manual and Mechanized Cleanroom Panels

Cleanroom panels are primarily used in settings where environmental control is crucial. These include industries with stringent requirements for dust control, static resistance, and cleanliness. The materials and manufacturing processes used for manual and mechanized panels vary significantly, leading to differences in cost, performance, and application suitability.

1. Core Materials Used in Cleanroom Panels
   • Mechanized Cleanroom Panels: Common core materials include rock wool, foam, extruded polystyrene (XPS), fiberglass wool, silicon rock board, paper honeycomb, and polyurethane.
   • Manual Cleanroom Panels: These panels typically use pre-coated steel, galvanized steel, or stainless steel, which are chosen based on the specific needs of the cleanroom. Manual panels often offer superior resistance to dust, static, and self-cleaning properties.
2. Panel Joints and Fittings
   • Mechanized Cleanroom Panels: These panels generally feature tongue and groove joints, which are mass-produced using machinery for consistent sizes and ease of assembly.
   • Manual Cleanroom Panels: In contrast, manual panels offer more flexibility in terms of joint styles, including box joints, tongue and groove, and “three mother and one male” panels, providing better adaptability for complex designs.
3. Panel Widths
   • Mechanized Cleanroom Panels: Standard widths for mechanized panels include 950mm and 1150mm.
   • Manual Cleanroom Panels: Manual panels offer greater customization, with standard widths of 970mm, 980mm, 1170mm, and 1180mm. Non-standard sizes can also be customized based on project needs.
4. Panel Thickness
   • Mechanized Cleanroom Panels: These are typically available in thicknesses of 50mm, 75mm, 100mm, and 150mm.
   • Manual Cleanroom Panels: Manual panels offer more thickness options, including 50mm, 75mm, 100mm, 150mm, and even 200mm, allowing for greater insulation and strength.
5. Performance Comparison
   • Panel Type: Mechanized panels tend to have simpler designs, while manual panels offer a wider range of options, with up to 8 or 9 different styles to meet diverse project requirements.
   • Core Material: Manual panels can accommodate various core materials, enhancing their versatility.
   • Appearance: Manual cleanroom panels have superior aesthetics, offering a more polished look compared to mechanized panels.
   • Strength: The strength of manual cleanroom panels is higher due to the handcrafting process and the use of galvanized steel skeletons, which makes them more durable and stable.
   • Cost: Mechanized panels are more cost-effective due to the automated manufacturing process, whereas manual panels are more expensive due to the slower production time, labor costs, and intricate craftsmanship involved.

Conclusion

While mechanized cleanroom panels are more cost-effective due to their mass production, manual cleanroom panels offer enhanced flexibility, aesthetics, and strength. These panels are better suited for projects with higher environmental demands, such as food processing or electronic manufacturing facilities. The price difference stems from the manufacturing methods, with manual panels requiring more time, skilled labor, and precision.